ABOUT ME
I have an MPhil and DPhil in International Relations from the University of Oxford, England. I previously studied at a small liberal arts college, Randolph-Macon Woman’s College (now Randolph College), in the United States, where I completed a BA with Honours in International Studies, summa cum laude.
From England, I moved to South Africa to work as Senior Researcher and then as Acting Executive Director of the Centre for Conflict Resolution in Cape Town. Here I further honed my research, writing, and editing skills, while gaining project management experience and broadening my knowledge of African security and governance issues. I am thus intellectually versatile and enjoy variety.
My editing work spans the social sciences and humanities. I enjoy the challenge of working with words to convey complex ideas and information in correct, clear, and concise language. But editing, for me, is more than a mechanical exercise. It is also a creative process that combines audience awareness and critical thinking with sensitivity to the sound and cadence of a writer’s voice. What’s more, I love working with ideas.
Altogether my diverse work experiences have taught me about the many ways in which people can struggle to write and express themselves – and how many voices and ideas often do not get heard because of language barriers. I have co-edited three peer-reviewed book volumes, working with contributing authors from different backgrounds and nationalities, including native and non-native speakers of English. I have also worked with writers (including students) whose first language is not English and am acutely aware of the challenges they face in conveying meaning accurately and clearly in a language that is not their own.
I am a published writer myself, with a growing body of work that includes journal articles, book chapters, and op-eds. So I understand how hard it can be to expose work to external scrutiny, yet how important fresh eyes and constructive criticism are to improving it.
When I am not editing, I pursue my research interests – independently as well as through consultancy work. I was previously a research affiliate at the Institute for Democracy, Citizenship, and Public Policy in Africa at the University of Cape Town. I currently serve as an external examiner to the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy at the University of Ghana.
I believe in paying it forward, and so, when I am not working, I volunteer. I am currently a counsellor with a local crisis support service. I also love to take photographs, and all those you see on this website (except the book covers) are my own.
