From leading national publications and websites, radio and podcast scripts to case studies on research and press releases – writing is an integral part of the freelance work I carry out.
As a BBC trained news and current affairs journalist and a former UK Research Council press officer I have experience of covering many different subject areas in a way that is accessible for a general audience (see examples below):
Science and technology: For twelve years I worked as a press officer for the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and I continue to do freelance work for EPSRC. Areas covered ranged from energy, information technology, structural engineering and mathematics to materials science. As well as case studies and press releases I have also written articles for EPSRC that have been published in Times Higher Education, BBC Online, New Statesman, Science in Parliament and Research Fortnight. My EPSRC role also involved working alongside government departments, Research Councils UK (RCUK) and the Technology Strategy Board, this included compiling briefing material and quotes in the name of ministers, chief executives and researchers.
Historical, social and cultural: Much of my BBC feature and documentary work centres on historical and cultural subjects. I graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in History. In my BBC radio work I write the scripts and carry out the research for the programmes I produce, as well as recording the interviews and editing the audio. The same applies to my podcast and audio slide-show projects. I also do case study writing for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
Examples of my written work:
- Arts and Humanities Past, Present and Future – script for a film for the Arts and Humanities Research Council ( AHRC) to mark its 10th anniversary in 2015.
- Multi-tasking micro-lights could spark a communications revolution – press release, case study and podcast for EPSRC. Tiny LEDs lights are being developed that could do many tasks at once, such as provide an internet connection while a lighting a room and displaying visual information.
- Opening up the secrets of the Silk Road to everyone – case study for AHRC on the International Dunhuang Project based at the British Library – on the great trade routes of the pre-modern era, the Silk Road.
- Diamonds are a laser scientist’s new best friend – press release, case study and podcast for EPSRC. The unique properties of diamonds are being used to develop a new generation of lasers. These could have many benefits from better treatments for eye and skin conditions to pollution monitoring and aeronautical engineering.
- Distributing knowledge the Wikipedia Way -case study for AHRC. On the British Library’s ‘Wikipedian in Residence’ initiative and how it helped research such as the Darwin Correspondence Project