Emma: Publications Assistant at Demand Centre
Emma interned at the DEMAND Research Centre as a Publications Assistant for 5 months at Lancaster University. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Sociology and a Master of Arts in Discourse Studies. After the internship, she worked as a Senior Editorial Assistant for Nature Research Publishing and currently, she works as a Research Intelligence Officer at the University of Humanistic Studies in Netherlands.
What is the DEMAND Centre?
DEMAND, dynamics of energy, mobility and demand, based in Lancaster University, is a research centre, focusing on the social practices connected to energy use. Their research aims to find out what energy is actually used for in the lives of people, and to end use energy demand. They have an ambitious research agenda that is crucial for organisations involved in demand management and in reconfiguring infrastructures, buildings and transport systems.
What did you do as a Publications Assistant?
My responsibilities lay within the preparation of books for publication. This included proofreading book chapters and making them consistent in spelling, punctuation and layout. I formatted all the references correctly and collected them in an overarching bibliography to be printed at the back of the book. This also required finding missing information about references online and corresponding with authors to retrieve missing information. Additionally, I corresponded with the authors to check any changes that I have made, and then formatted the book manuscripts in accordance with the guidelines provided by the publisher.
What are some reflections of your time in the internship?
I found my placement experience to be unexpectedly beneficial in several ways. Initially anticipating a deep dive into English language rules such as punctuation, hyphenation, and capitalisation, my expectations were met. However, I discovered an unforeseen skill blossoming within me —communication via email becoming markedly easier.
In the beginning, I would craft emails to authors, often spending considerable time deliberating over their content, but towards the end, I found myself more at ease approaching them, whether it was for assistance or seeking their opinions. I greatly valued the trust placed in me by the team at DEMAND which was exemplified when I independently prepared the first book for submission to the publisher, with no need for additional oversight.
Feeling trusted by my colleagues significantly boosted my confidence in my work. It was the confidence that I cherished the most, knowing that my efforts were recognized and respected. My placement not only enriched my understanding of English language intricacies but also empowered me to communicate effectively and take on responsibilities with assurance.