Lucy Patterson | Academic, Science and Business Editor

Organisation
Lucy Patterson Editorial Services
Membership Grade
Professional Member

About Lucy


Summary

I am an experienced freelance editor offering academic, scientific, educational and business editing and proofreading services. I have worked in editing and publishing for more than two decades and enjoy building long-term professional partnerships with my clients.

Who I can help

  • Scholarly publishers
  • UN agencies and related organisations
  • Professional bodies
  • Intergovernmental organisations
  • Government departments
  • University presses
  • Individual researchers

What I work on

  • Journal papers: both pre-submission (for authors) and post-submission (for publishers)
  • Technical reports
  • Evaluations
  • Learning resources
  • Monographs
  • Magazines
  • Textbooks

How I work

  • Copyediting is usually carried out in Microsoft Word using the Track Changes function. I can also format journal manuscripts in Word to meet the requirements of the target journal.
  • Scientific editing can be provided in LaTeX.
  • Proofreading is carried out using Adobe Acrobat's Commenting tools.
  • Proof collation and quality assurance services offered will vary depending on the brief.
  • I can edit in either UK English or US English (using the Chicago Manual of Style) as required.

Subjects

My main areas of specialism are as follows:

  • The physical sciences: physics (particularly fluid mechanics, photonics and particle physics), chemistry, astrophysics, Earth sciences​
  • Nuclear power generation and nuclear safety
  • Medical research, particularly nuclear medicine and medical physics
  • International development, economic development, finance and policy-making
  • Sustainability and the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs)
  • Education and educational materials
  • Literary studies
  • Sociology and social history

Experience

I have more than 25 years' experience in both publishing and editing. I held in-house roles in scientific and commercial publishing houses for a decade before becoming a full-time independent editor in 2008.

In my freelance capacity I have worked with numerous clients around the world on a wide variety of subjects, editing or proofreading dozens of books, hundreds of reports and thousands of journal papers. I have also worked on newsletters, marketing materials, educational resources and more.

I frequently work with international authors for whom English is a second language.

Clients

Past and present clients include Institute of Physics Publishing, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Independent Evaluation Group (an independent unit within the World Bank Group), the Standards and Testing Agency, the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, National Geographic Learning, University of Plymouth Press, the European Respiratory Society, the European University Association and the Geological Society of London.

Qualifications

I have a BA (Hons) in English with French from the University of Manchester. I was trained in copyediting on the job at IOP Publishing and Future and via courses at PMA Training and the Publishing Training Centre in London. I have been a Professional Member of CIEP since 2015.

Testimonials

“Lucy has become one of my top editors—and I have very high standards. She performs copyediting and proofreading for me, and her work is always meticulous. I look forward to working with her for years to come.”

Amanda O’Brien, publishing officer, Independent Evaluation Group (World Bank Group)


“We have worked with Lucy for a number of years on a major academic journal. We have always been very pleased with the quality of her work and her reliability in meeting the demanding requirements and rigorous schedule.”

Alexandrine Ong, editorial project manager, Sunrise Setting Ltd


“Lucy has worked on a number of book projects for us and knocks spots off the average copyeditor. Fantastic work. I couldn’t fault it.”

Jo Armstrong, senior production editor, The Geological Society Publishing House




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Associated skills

Disclaimer note

The CIEP Directory of Editorial Services should be considered a point of first contact and prospective clients must satisfy themselves that members are capable of the work on offer. The Institute cannot be held responsible for the quality of work provided by any member listed in the directory. The members themselves are responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of their entries in the Directory and the CIEP has not made any attempt to vet them. The institute cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in the Directory. Inclusion in the Directory as a freelance does not necessarily mean that the member is self-employed as defined by HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions.