Editor.
Journalist.
Storyteller.
Writer.
Communications strategist.
I am a professional editor who helps researchers tell their research story more effectively. I hone and polish academic work, and I help academic researchers communicate their policy-oriented findings in ways that a lay reader can understand. I work with researchers throughout the world to help them bring wider attention to their work and to make the work more impactful. I help my clients harness the power of the written word.
Background
I bring extensive communications experience to the tasks I undertake. My advice is informed by my previous experience as an award-winning journalist for the Chicago Tribune covering national and international politics, policy, and social trends.
Education
I have a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, and I am a recipient of the school’s highest honor: the Harrington Award.
TESTIMONIALS
“I am convinced that Karen’s editing not only helped me to improve the public understanding of my ideas, but also my own.” – Peter Buisseret, Assistant Professor, University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy
“Karen’s work was simply fantastic. Her work was able to highlight my findings in a more impactful way.” – Roberto Pancrazi, Assistant Professor, University of Warwick, Department of Economics
“I would recommend her to any academics wishing to improve the exposition of their papers.” – Clement de Chaisemartin, Assistant Professor, University of California Santa Barbara, Department of Economics
I have worked with researchers from many universities and other research-oriented organizations.
Higher Education
Columbia University
The University of Chicago
Cornell University
The Blavatnik School of Government (University of Oxford)
University of Warwick
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of Glasgow
University of Illinois
University of Oregon
University of Colorado Boulder
Economic Development Institutions
The Latin America Development Bank
Oxford Policy Management
The Pathways for Prosperity Commission on Technology and Inclusive Development
Research into Systems of Education (RISE)
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
The World Bank
Other work
I also am an editor and senior communications officer for the Stockholm Environment Institute, a highly regarded think tank that seeks to bridge science and policy to address issues related to climate change and sustainable development.
Featured work
“Missing the mark: facing up to the prospect of exceeding 1.5°C” – This perspective for the Stockholm Environment Institute asks how actions to contain global warming will be affected by the prospect of reaching and breaching the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.
“Transitioning to a new global order” – This perspective for the Stockholm Environment Institute raises questions about how to foster international cooperation at a time of growing geopolitical fragmentation and conflict.
“The new ‘space race:’ intensifying competition to control resources on land, of the ocean and in outer space” – This perspective for the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the trade-offs and conflicts surfacing as a new race for space unfolds over uses and needs of some 8 billion people.
“Reality check: coming to grips with the ‘meaning’ crisis” – This perspective for the Stockholm Environment Institute examines the ramifications of the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation on public trust in science, government and society.
“The cost-of-living crisis: accelerating or delaying a green transition?” – This perspective for the Stockholm Environment Institute looks at the ways in which surging prices may affect the prospects for a green energy transition.
“Earth Day in the pandemic: rethinking our relationship with nature” – This perspective for the Stockholm Environment Institute asks whether a world still reeling from the pandemic can use Earth Day as a turning point to establish a new relationship with the environment.
“Understanding Happiness” – This policy report, edited for the Social Market Foundation and the Centre for Advantage in the Global Economy at the University of Warwick, discusses ways to rethink traditional aims and definitions of socioeconomic progress.
Workshops
I conduct training for small groups of researchers to learn tips and techniques for writing an op-ed-style perspective for mainstream media and targeted online outlets.
I conduct training for small groups about how to write more clearly by capitalizing on the understanding of how readers read.
Get in touch! I am always interested in discussing new projects.
Karen BRANDON 