Sophie D

My name is Sophie Dodds and I'm a freelance copy-editor and proofreader based in Edinburgh. I have a BA from the University of Oxford and an MSc from the University of Edinburgh. I have several years' experience of working in fields such as the arts, health, publishing and software, and I have recently spent 18 months with an organisation that encourages equality and diversity in universities across the UK. I love working with students who speak English as a second language, and I have a track record of supporting them to achieve academic success.

My experience and interests include:

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• History and Art History

I have a BA Hons in History from the University of Oxford, and an MSc in Art History from the University of Edinburgh. I have worked in the 18th century department of the National Portrait Gallery in London, and also with a number of contemporary art collections – including several years in the Arts in Health sector. My editing work in this area includes a PhD thesis on 18th century medical history for a student at the University of Glasgow.

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• Medical and Mental Health

I have worked in the publications department of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, and copy-edited for the British Journal of Psychiatry. This is where I was formally trained as an editor and completed a Chapterhouse course in copy-editing and proofreading. I have also worked as an in-house content writer and copy-editor for a healthcare company specialising in dementia, and have provided proofreading for master's students in nursing.

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• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

I have recently completed an 18 month contract working on EDI projects with Advance HE – a charity that works to improve standards in the tertiary education sector. I have worked with universities and colleges across Scotland on a series of projects focussing on issues such as race, gender-based violence and disability. I am passionate about reducing barriers for students entering higher education. I believe that when everyone has an equal chance to fulfil their potential the world becomes a better place. 

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• Fiction, music and the creative arts

I have recently begun editing fiction and I understand the nature of the creative process; I am a songwriter myself and perform with a band called Storm the Palace. We've toured internationally and have been featured on the BBC as well as blogs and radio stations across the world.

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• Other

I have also worked in many areas not covered by this list, from off-shore industries, to software, to sports nutrition! I have done audio-editing for podcasts and I have recently completed some freelance work for the Scottish Government.