Central government reports
As a contracted copyeditor with the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), it’s been a career highlight to work with the dedicated research teams on the State of the Nation reports 2023 and 2022, and other reports on issues such as digital inequalities and mental healthcare.
The SMC is an advisory non-departmental public body of the Department for Education. It monitors the government's progress in improving economic opportunities and reducing child poverty across the UK.
Policy reform (public sector)
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) editorial team asked me to work for them during the busy lead up to 2023’s Future of Britain conference and beyond. The conference outlined a new era for governance using technology and innovation. Labour leader Keir Starmer delivered the keynote speech and other speakers included food campaigner Jamie Oliver and Khan Academy founder Sal Khan. The day was hosted by broadcasters Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel and included an address by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Insight articles on policy recommendations and reforms were produced in advance of the conference. I edited and proofed many articles on TBI's strategic themes, such as tech, climate, energy and proposals for NHS, education and police reform. Examples include: Fit for the Future: A Fair Deal to Tackle Obesity in Britain (foreword by Jamie Oliver), Ten Actions Countries Should Take to Create a Digital-Identity Ecosystem and Rebuilding Trust and Delivering Safer Communities: A Plan for Reforming UK Policing.
Retail (traceability roadmap)
Something that all businesses need right now, a practical guide to successfully implementing traceability in supply chains. I was hired by TrusTrace to proofread and copyedit its traceability roadmap.
TrusTrace uses software to help the world’s leading retail brands trace their products and materials from suppliers to consumers – using data to know, prove and improve the impact of their value chains.
Youth sector (statutory duty, policy)
I was over the moon when asked by the National Youth Agency to come onboard as copyeditor as it updated guides and polices to reflect new changes to the Education Act. I helped different authors as they prepared statutory duty guidance, safeguarding standards, youth work practice standards, the national youth curriculum and a toolkit on how to run a youth club.
Let’s hope this and the next government increases its support for the youth sector!
Books (politics, society)
The shocking truth about privileged Britain.
I was commissioned by Byline Books to proofread a collection of articles by investigative journalist Sam Bright, which chronicles the misuse of public money. Sam spent over a decade tracking how some government leaders have swopped public service for self-service.
I urge you to read Bullingdon Club Britain, now already on its second print run – the revelations are a political timebomb.
Annual reports (socio-economics)
Another welcome commission on an issue close to my heart – inequalities.
The team at the International Inequalities Institute (III), part of the London School of Economics, engaged my copyediting support on its complex annual report. The III is a centre for rigorous research into the nature, causes and consequences of the multiple inequalities afflicting our world today.
Labour rights research (governance, laws)
The Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity brings together the world’s leading researchers, policymakers, activists and practitioners who are working to defeat systemic inequality. I copyedited a huge piece of research looking into South Africa’s post-Covid-19 labour market, with a specific focus on four types of worker: a sex worker, taxi driver, a domestic worker and an Uber driver. The report outlines how labour law and policy can and should change to better protect people.
Women's and girls' rights (UK government)
Working through an agency, I provided a heavy copyedit on a guidance note for the UK National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security – part of the government’s commitment to reduce gender-based violence. The guidance outlines the government’s strategy to integrate a gender perspective into its work to build security and stability internationally, protect the human rights of women and girls, and promote their participation in conflict prevention and resolution.
Film industry (accessibility, inclusion)
I provided copyediting and proofreading support to an Emmy-award-winning director during the production of this toolkit for inclusion and accessibility, which aims to see the D/deaf and disabled community accurately portrayed on screens and in production teams.
The resource was produced by FWD-Doc (Documentary Filmmakers With Disabilities) and Little by Little Films in association with Doc Society, and supported by Netflix. It also includes a case study about Crip Camp (Netflix, 2020) and with a view to best practice, not just compliance.
White papers (digital civic networks)
I’ve been commissioned by clients to help with writing in plain English when the text is translated from another language or when new cultural phrases or examples are needed as case studies. One example is for Belgium-founded neighbourhood network, Hoplr, as it expands its reach into the UK market.
Hoplr works with local authorities and the public sector to realise the potential within an area by strengthening community networks and relationships. Fab illustrations to boot!
Magazines (lifestyle, culture)
A lovely surprise hit my inbox when I was asked to be the copyeditor and subeditor for a newly launched magazine called Fifty Four mag.
The mag exists to unearth, preserve, share and celebrate the inherent individuality which exists across Africa’s diverse 54 countries – the stories and experiences that often don’t make the news.
Fifty Four mag is driven by 36 talented creatives from across Africa, the diaspora and friends from around the world.
I also write articles for the mag and manage the company’s LinkedIn account.
Awards brochures (property, design)
International Property Media calls me for backup during its awards season. The work involves creating content for extensive international brochures, sourced from a text that is often in broken English and overly technical for the readership.
I get to admire and describe some amazing award-winning architecture and interior design.
White papers (global tech recruitment)
I have provided copyediting support on thought leadership content such as this white paper for global talent acquisition experts Lundi Inc, as well as helping the team finesse website copy.
The team has a borderless recruitment ethos and believes a person’s location does not define their value.
NGO reports (corporate governance)
For many non-governmental organisations (NGOs), I copyedit, proofread or write supporter-facing materials for many different departments, from fundraising to campaigns and corporate to policy teams. One example includes copyediting a report for Transparency International about how corporate anti-bribery and anti-corruption policy can be effectively measured.
Transparency International is the UK’s leading independent anti-corruption organisation. It has worked for over 25 years to expose and prevent corruption “so that no one in the UK and where the UK has influence has to suffer its consequences”. Amen to that.
Reports and briefings (counterextremism)
The Institute for Strategic Dialogue is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to safeguarding human rights and reversing the rising tide of hate, extremism and disinformation worldwide. My copyediting and proofreading services have been used since 2018 on reports and briefing papers covering many issues, such as the gathering pace of far-right groups on social media to conspiracy theories overshadowing the US elections.
The research is used by governments and tech companies to counter extremism and polarisation.
Books (lifestyle, wellbeing)
I’m on hand to offer proofing, copyediting or all kinds of marketing support to non-fiction authors of independently published books or trade press, such as this Calm Workbook for life education company The School of Life. (Note to self — read this book again!)
Taken from its website: “The School of Life is an organisation built to help us find calm, self-understanding, resilience and connection – especially during troubled times.”
Coalition reports (climate, health crisis)
It was a privilege to help copyedit this complex report for the coalition of NGOs Citizens for Financial Justice (including Christian Aid, Debt Observatory in Globalisation, Society for International Development and Stamp Out Poverty).
The report outlines the global health and climate emergencies in the context of the age of financialisation and outlines a post-Covid-19 future.
Youth and school resources (digital literacy)
In partnership with Google and YouTube Creators for Change, Be Internet Citizens is a new campaign designed to teach teenagers about media literacy, critical thinking and digital citizenship.
My copyediting services were commissioned by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue during the development of its teacher and community toolkits.
Medical journals (psychiatry)
I love the ethos of Global Psychiatry Archives and provided proofreading services and editorial advice to the team for a few years. It aims to advance global mental health by making relevant scientific knowledge accessible to all. It supports new and young researchers and authors from developing economies – from communities without robust state-funded or private healthcare systems or where medical funding for research is unavailable. Researchers from all over the world can submit papers to this open-access journal.
Websites (faith-based)
I was contacted by the design agency, Tamassy Creative, to support Japanese Buddhist movement Rissho Kosei-kai with copywriting and copyediting during the production of its website and most recently a new video introducing its vision.
I worked closely with the director of the London Centre, the very lovely, Rev Kyoichiro Hosoya.