As a contracted copyeditor with the Social Mobility Commission (SMC), it has been a career highlight to work with the dedicated research teams on the State of the Nation reports since 2022. I have also been the lead copyeditor and proofreader for reports on issues such as digital inequalities, innovation and investment, mental and physical health, higher education, and improving the collection and availability of data across government.

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 exists to create a UK where the circumstances of birth do not determine outcomes in life.

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) contracted me 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 (now PM) 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.

I edited and proofed many articles on TBI’s strategic themes, such as tech, climate, energy and proposals for the 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

Shifting the Trillions: Four Critical Actions to Take After the Paris Climate Summit

Rebuilding Trust and Delivering Safer Communities: A Plan for Reforming UK Policing

Reimagining the UK’s Net-Zero Strategy.

Global tech recruitment company Harvey Nash Group and London-based Nash Squared use my copyediting and proofreading services to finesse the final stages of corporate reports, such as the Tech Talent and Salary Report 2024, yearly and mid-year Digital Leadership Reports, and other reports such as on sustainability.

I was over the moon when asked by the National Youth Agency to come on board as a copyeditor as it updated guides and policies 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 the new Labour government increases support for the sector. No more cuts to vital youth work!

“There are gangs in the parks, so we can’t go.”
“Being a young person can be nerve-racking in Dudley; the bus station and the market don’t feel safe, especially on weekends. There are always fights.”
“There’s nothing to do except vape, really. There are loads of vape shops.”
“I don’t see much that’s good here. It feels like I’m stuck, just passing time.”

Just some of the lived experiences and voices of young people, parents and caregivers documented in the report Growing Up in Dudley. The resource was commissioned by Dudley Council Public Health and Wellbeing Directorate, working with research company Frame Collective. They talked to over 200 people and brought their experiences to life through reports, stories and illustrations. My copyediting services were used to finesse the final report.

“The qualitative research informs strategic priorities around public health and services for families, children and young people, and helps shape the future of Start for Life and Family Hubs in Dudley.”

Let’s hope the Labour government can bring lasting change to the borough.

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 swapped 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.

Something that all businesses need right now is 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.

Another welcome commission on an issue close to my heart – inequalities.

The comms team at the International Inequalities Institute (III), part of the London School of Economics and Political Science, commissioned my copyediting support for 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.

It's wonderful to be part of a team publishing the innovative work of the UK's best policy brains.

The Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity programme 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 workers: a sex worker, taxi driver, domestic worker and an Uber driver. The report outlines how labour law and policy can and should change to better protect people.

Working through an agency, I provided a heavy copyedit of 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 Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s strategy to integrate a gender perspective into building security and stability internationally, protecting the human rights of women and girls, and promoting their participation in conflict prevention and resolution.

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.