Robert Duncan

Robert Duncan – Editor

Experienced editor with sound editorial and pedagogical judgement specialising in print and digital educational products.

Overview

I am an editor with over 10 years’ experience working in educational publishing.
I have worked in-house at Oxford University Press and Macmillan Education on titles for students learning English as a foreign language. I also have worked in-house at the University of London editing online degree courses.
Having worked as a teacher of English as a foreign language in far-flung exotic locations like Thailand, Portugal, Mozambqiue and, erm, Bournemouth, I then moved into educational publishing.
I started out editing dictionaries for learners of English as a foreign language, and there is no greater test of your editorial skills than marking up, by hand using the BSI proofreading marks, the densely packed pages of a dictionary.
But I was keen to use my experience of making and using materials in the classroom by working on courses, which is what led to my moving to Macmillan (well, that and the chance to live in London, where, I had heard, the streets were paved with gold - turns out that's not true, though). I enjoyed this chance to develop my learning design skills and put my money where my mouth is: I'd often used published material that I considered to be flawed and would think to myself, 'I could do better than this.'
My next challenge was to put my editorial skills to the test in a different context: the world of higher education. I worked at the University of London on online degree programmes and was pleased to find that I was able to apply my editorial skills and pedagogical insights even when the subject matter was not something that I was familiar with - machine learning, for example, isn't really a speciality of mine.
Then, when Macmillan got in touch to see if I'd be interested in applying for a commissioning editor role with them, I decided that I would enjoy the extra responsibility for a course that this position would involve. After successfully getting the job, I learnt more about editorial process as a whole and had the opportunity to pass on some of what I had learnt along the way to my line reports.
Now I'm going for the freelance route and I'm really looking forward to working on a wide range of projects. I'd love to hear from you if you think that I might be able to help you with what you are working on at the moment.
Services
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference ELT

Work experience

Macmillan Education

Oct, 2018 — Apr, 2021 (over 2 years)

Leading the development of print and digital products for learners of English as a foreign language. Titles include a multi-component general English course, a blended business skills course and an exam preparation course.

University of London

Nov, 2016 — Sep, 2018 (almost 2 years)

Editing online degree-level courses such as an MBA, a postgraduate teaching course and a machine-learning course.

Macmillan Education

Jul, 2013 — Oct, 2016 (over 3 years)

Editing print and digital products for learners of English as a foreign language, including a blended general English course and a series of business specialisation courses.

Oxford University Press

May, 2011 — Jul, 2013 (about 2 years)

Lexicography work on dictionaries for learners of English as a foreign language.

Professionals similar to Robert

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Paulina Cossette

Paulina C.

I help busy academics get published faster and land a job--without the overwhelm. PhD. Focusing in social sciences, business, & statistics.

Maine, ME, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Emily Wells

Emily W.

Senior Editor @ Hodder & Stoughton specialising in Christian books and Bibles.

Leamington Spa, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Mary Cassells

Mary C.

I have experience from proposal through finished manuscript and sales. Editing is my service, but I know sales are your ultimate goal.

Columbus, OH, USA

88% reply rate

View profile