Clear and impactful scientific writing for a better world.
Principal Editor & Coach | Kirstin Conti, PhD
If your research is solid, your arguments are strong, but your writing feels too dense, too cautious, or too in the weeds, you’re in the right place. I work with scientists, researchers, and thought leaders who need their ideas to create impact, whether through a dissertation, article, brief, report, white papers, grant proposals, board members, or media.I help …
• Make arguments clearer;
• Sharpen structure and flow;
• Calibrate detail for the right audience;
• Strengthen voice without losing technical rigor; and
• Increase the clarity and impact of your work.
Book your free 20-minute consultation here!
About Kirstin
Hello! My name is Kirstin Conti. I am the Founder and Principal Editor at Elamik Works Editing. I collaborate with researchers and knowledge workers to ensure their messages get out into the world and reach their intended audience!My work sits at the intersection of rigor, clarity, and impact.I help people translate complex science into writing that is accurate, compelling, and makes an impact with scientific and dissertation committees, boards, policymakers, and the public.The goal is not to dilute your expertise. The goal is to make it easier for the right people to understand it, trust it, and act on it.
I believe rigorous science deserves impactful writing.
I obtained my PhD in Geography from University of Amsterdam in 2017 and have over 15 years experience in project management for international development organizations including the International Groundwater Resources Assessment Centre and the World Bank. I have also conducted research, writing, and editing across several social sciences disciplines for these organizations and for individual researchers from PhD to professorial level.Having published and co-published over 1,200 pages across academic journals, book chapters, manuscripts, and flagship publications, I am intimately familiar with how intensive large research and writing projects can be. I also understand how bringing together collaborative multi-author pieces is a skill in its own right. The process of moving from a first draft to a publication-ready document can be daunting. The ideas are there but you need to present them in a way that’s going to resonate with your target audience. It is also difficult to self-edit and find errors that your eyes are glossing over.
I help researchers and scientific leaders turn complex ideas into writing that is sharp, accessible, and designed to shape the world.
As an editor, working with authors in the drafting stages is very exciting. I get to support them in clearing those final editorial hurdles and getting their work into the world. At the same time, this is often where I see what could have been an incredible piece of work trapped in mediocre packaging to due a lack of an editorial strategy. I want to ensure your next project doesn’t become ensnared. The world needs your research. Working with an experienced editor throughout the different phases of your writing project can help maximize your impact.I am located in Oakland, California USA and serve clients globally. When I'm not editing, I also consult with international development agencies, take nature walks with my dog, and enjoy cooking up new recipes. I look forward to the opportunity to join you on your publication journey. specialize in academic English editing for non-native English speakers, particularly researchers and PhD candidates working in the US, Canada as well as European and International Organizations. specialize in academic English editing for non-native English speakers, particularly researchers and PhD candidates working in the US, Canada as well as European and International Organizations.
Book a Free 20-minute Consultation
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Phone/SMS: +1.510.761.9279
Land & Labor Recognition
I acknowledge that much of our work takes place on the territory and ancestral lands of the Ohlone people. I also acknowledge our debt to enslaved Africans, whose labor and suffering built and grew the economy and infrastructure of a nation that refuses to recognize our humanity. I am inviting you to take a moment to reflect on whose land you are living and working on. You can learn more about the native lands you reside on (US) at Native Land Digital.*
* Adapted from the land and labor recognition of Decolonizing Therapy.
Services
Writing Impact Audit
A writing impact audit is a focused review that shows you where your writing is losing clarity, force, or momentum. It is designed to advance serious works in progress. You submit your writing, and I send back a concise, strategic diagnostic that identifies what is working, what is getting in the way of your messaging, and what is required to finalize and publish quickly.This is useful when you need to…
• Clarify your lines of argument;
• Strengthen or refine structure;
• Reduce jargon or over-explaining;
• Decide what to cut, keep, or move;
• Get traction on a stalled draft;
• Sharpen the framing of key findings and messages; and
• Get out of an endless review-edit cycle.You receive…
• A 30-minute clarity session (hosted via Zoom);
• Call transcript;
• 1-2 page summary memo pinpointing the 3–5 most important change areas; and
• Prioritized recommendations on next steps.Writing impact audits are priced on a sliding scale as follows:
- $175-300 for less than 6,000 words of body text
- $275-350 for 6,000-12,000 words
- $350-500 for up to 25,000 words
Please inquire about special pricing for longer documents.Please email for more information or to book your writing impact audit.
Copyediting, Proofreading and Formatting
Looking for editorial support for a planned or in-progress publication? I work with authors and organizations looking to strengthen the quality of their research publications. I can engage at any stage of the publication process and support several types of projects including academic publications, grey literature publications, flagship reports, results stories, case studies, and graduate thesis manuscripts.* If we begin our work early in your writing process, I can also support your project by generating stylesheets and other materials that will get your project off to a strong start. This is particularly helpful for multi-author and multi-chapter writing projects. Turn-around times range from 3-5 business days for shorter documents (e.g., journal articles or case studies) to 10-12 business days for longer documents (e.g., white papers and PhD manuscripts). Copyediting and proofreading services are:
- $65/hr for a students
- $75/hr for all others
*If you are a student, please confirm with your academic institution whether paid editorial services are permitted. For many institutions, hiring an editor is a violation of their academic policies and I will require written confirmation that this is not the case before commencing an assignment. If policy prevents you from hiring editor for the content sections of your documents, please consider my formatting-only services.
Formatting Only
-includes California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) Technical Review-
Is your publication or manuscript nearly done? All your words are on the page and reading well, but gosh the formatting and references are a mess. Well, our formatting only service will ensure your document complies with institution-specific or standardized citation and formatting guidelines such as American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), and Harvard Business Review (HBR). Formatting includes reviewing citations, footnotes, tables, figures, references, and, if needed, creation of front matter e.g. title page, table of contents, etc. Typical turn-around times range from 2-4 business days for shorter documents (e.g., journal articles or case studies) to 8-10 business days for longer documents (e.g., white papers and PhD manuscripts). Formatting only services are $45/hr for students and $65/hr for all others.
Editor-on-Call
Editor-on-call services provides ongoing support for authors and organizations who need consistent, high-quality editing throughout the lifecycle of their projects. This service is similar to a retainer, wherein you gain access to expert editing and proofreading on a scheduled basis, ensuring that your projects are always polished and publication-ready. Once you have subscribed to the service, you and your organization can submit documents for editing as they arise, with priority turnaround times based on your plan. This gives you the flexibility to focus on your publication knowing your work will be polished and professional when finalized. The benefits of the edit-on-demand services include predictable costs, priority service, and a long-term partnership with an editor who understands your writing style and publication goals. Say goodbye to last-minute stress and ensure your work is always of the highest standard. Editing services on retainer are priced individually based on the clients needs. Not-for-profits and academic institutions may qualify for special pricing as well.
Rush Services
Requests for rush services for copy editing and proofreading are considered on a case-by-case basis. The flat-rate surcharge is $10/hr in most cases, but will be assessed based on the size and complexity of the project. Quality is my top priority and tailored approaches are essential for rush services. Please schedule a consultation to discuss the approach for your rush project to ensure alignment of goals.
Schedule your free 20-minute consultation here to discuss your specific needs.
FAQs
1. What types of academic documents do you edit?
I provide editorial services for a wide range of research documents or academic and professional audiences, including journal articles, research manuscripts, PhD dissertations, master’s theses, policy reports, grant proposals, working papers, and more.
2. Do you provide editing for non-native English speakers?
Yes. I specialize in academic English editing for non-native English speakers, particularly researchers and PhD candidates working in the US, Canada, Europe and International Organizations. My edits focus on clarity, tone, and discipline-appropriate academic style while preserving the author’s voice.
3. What is the difference between proofreading and copy editing for academic and research publications?
Proofreading focuses on correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Copyediting goes further by improving clarity, structure, flow, terminology, and adherence to academic or publisher conventions, making manuscripts suitable for journal submission, formal review committee review, or public dissemination.
4. Do you edit PhD dissertation manuscripts?
Yes. I provide PhD dissertation editing at all stages, from early drafts to final submissions. However, editing services must be permissible by your academic institution. I help ensure consistency, clarity, and academic tone while respecting institutional guidelines and supervisor expectations.
5. Can you help prepare manuscripts for academic journal submission?
Absolutely. I offer research manuscript and journal article editing services designed to improve clarity, coherence, and readability, increasing the likelihood that your work meets your selected journal's standards and peer-reviewer expectations.
6. What disciplines do you work with?
I work primarily with clients in the social sciences (political science, public policy, international relations, economics, law, psychology) and natural resources management (climate, water, environment). I also work with specialty publications for international development practitioners and agencies. If you are would like to know whether your research is a good fit, please get in touch.
7. Which style guides do you work with?
I offer editorial services using American Psychological Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA), Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS), and Harvard Business Review (HBR) style guides. I can also work with institution-specific style guides as needed.
8. Can my institution or funder pay for this?
Often, yes. Many universities, foundations, and research organizations have professional development funds, discretionary budgets, or grant lines that cover editing and writing support. I can provide invoices and documentation to support reimbursement or direct payment.
9. How do I pick a rate on your sliding scale?
Recognizing that wealth, race, citizenship, disability, caregiving load, institutional affiliation, national and local economic context, and professional status all affect how much ease or strain people experience when seeking support, I offer sliding-scale pricing so people can choose a rate that fits their financial situation. This allows me to serve a wider range of clients, while keeping my services financially sustainable.When choosing a rate, I ask you to consider:
• Your current income and savings.
• Whether your work is salaried, grant-funded, or contract-based.
• Whether you have access to employer, university, or organizational professional development funds (also see, the “Can institutions or organizations pay?” FAQ below).
• The level of financial pressure you are currently experiencing.
• Your level of job and income predictability.
• The degree to which socio-economic factors have impacted your access to education, career advancement, and professional support, including structural privileges and inequities.
• The broader economic context you live in, including differences in national income levels and local cost of living.If you have stable income, strong savings, or institutional support, I ask that you consider choosing a rate at the higher end of the scale. Higher rates also make it possible for me to provide pro bono coaching and editing services to clients who would not otherwise be able to access these services. If paying the higher rate would not cause meaningful strain, I ask that you choose it. That helps support the sustainability of my business and expands access for others.If you live in a lower-income context or have limited access to funding, choosing a rate at the lower end of the scale may be more appropriate. If you truly need a lower tier, choose that without hesitation.You do not need to explain your choice. I trust you to select the rate that fits your situation. If you’re unsure, choose the rate that feels honest and workable. A useful test is whether paying the rate would feel manageable, stressful, or genuinely difficult over the duration of the work.
10. How do I get started and request a quote?
You can schedule a free 20-minute consultation with me to discuss your project and editorial goals.