Malcolm Burnley Writer

Malcolm Burnley has been a journalist in Philadelphia since 2013. Before joining the masthead as a staff writer, he was a longtime freelancer for several outlets in the city, including the Citizen (some of his all-time favorite stories were pieces for the Citizen, like one about Philly’s voting-machine fiasco and a contribution in the Higginbotham series), Philly Mag, and WHYY. He’s also contributed work to Time, POLITICO magazine, The Atlantic, iHeartRadio and other outlets.

A native of Staten Island, NY, he is passionate about telling overlooked stories throughout Philadelphia. He’s also a podcast host and adjunct professor at Temple University’s Klein School of Communications. He wants to see Philadelphia at its best. And he wants a Dion Waiter statue.

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Stories by Malcolm Burnley:

Ideas We Should Steal

Fix the Sidewalks!

Denver just became the latest major city to launch a comprehensive plan for repairing and expanding its sidewalk networks. What is Philly waiting for?

By Malcolm Burnley
RECAP

What We Learned about The Path to a Clean Energy Future

At an event hosted by Natural Allies for a Cleaner Energy Future this week, local thought leaders discussed a “big tent” approach to energy policy which could grow jobs and lower costs for consumers

By Malcolm Burnley
Citizen of the Year

Disruptors Carl June and Jeff Marrazzo

They’re charting a course to a world without cancer tumors and reinvigorating Philly’s “Cellicon Valley” with their new company, Dispatch Biotherapeutics. For their bold vision, we’re awarding this duo our Disruptors of the Year.

By Malcolm Burnley

How a Piece of Philly History Thwarted Netflix

A Penn law professor explains the 1963 antitrust case involving Philly banks that frustrated the streaming giant’s plans for world domination. For now.

By Malcolm Burnley

Is Philly Ready for a Driverless Future?

Google’s Waymo taxis are quickly learning Philly roads, while lawmakers — and all of us — grapple with what it means for our city

By Malcolm Burnley
Citizen of the Week

Carlos Rogers, Bike Race Reviver

How a tattooed, middle-aged hairstylist made The Philadelphia Cycling Classic the sporting surprise of America’s 250th

By Malcolm Burnley

Can this New Food Hall Solve College Hunger?

University City’s Gather stands alone for its commitment to community, small local restaurants and fighting hunger — though you can just go for the tasty food

By Malcolm Burnley
Citizen of the Week

The Man Who May Save Philly’s Small Businesses

Jigar Mehta led an effort to spare small businesses from a shocking tax increase next year wrought by Mayor Parker’s new tax plan. Will it become law?

By Malcolm Burnley

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