What can I do for you?
I offer proofreading and copy-editing services with a specific focus on academic editing, particularly in the environmental and earth sciences, biology, ecology, geography and chemistry.
This involves correcting grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, checking for factual accuracy, ensuring consistency in style, tone and formatting across the text, and enhancing sentence structure, word choice and flow. It can also include verifying in-text citations and reference lists, and ensuring adherence to specific style guides.
For some clients, the work has also included the writing of cover letters, guidance on journal selection and pre-submission critical reviews of the manuscript.
If you need written content, I can assist with that too – online material, news, promotional materials and blogs. Written content does not need to be limited to my academic field. I love researching new topics and writing about my other interests – from travel to conservation to sports. You can see examples of this work on my Clients & Testimonials page.
My academic background
I graduated with a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Bradford (UK) and later worked on pollution deposition for the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Agency.
Later, I completed a PhD from Imperial College (University of London, UK) in Environmental Radioactivity.
Subsequently, I taught as a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science at the University of Wolverhampton (UK).
My editing background
During my time working in higher education, I collaborated with the University of Wolverhampton’s partner institutions in Finland, Spain and Hungary. This is where my passion for editing academic work for English second-language writers started.
This is a role I have continued for 15 years since my relocation to South Africa. I now have extensive experience in assisting academic writers from across the globe to prepare their work for publication. I take this role on as a freelancer and I am a member of the South African Professional Editors’ Guild.
Dr Paul Giess 