Archives Coventry - Emma Parfitt Proofreading Editing Services

Why do I proofread?

Emma Parfitt — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 13:02:27 +0000

I love writing

I started proofreading and editing theses when I finished my first postdoc. The reason? I have always loved writing. Hearing about friends’ awful experiences with unqualified proof-readers (not all are unqualified) I knew I could help. Imagine a master’s student trying to proofread a thesis of 90,000 words when they are more used to shorter documents. You can see why issues arise. Plus there is a big leap from a MA to a PhD.

A lack of qualified proofreaders

What I felt was needed, were targeted PhD editing services by someone who has gone through a proof read and edit of their own work. A doctor, like me, who has read, researched and written a 90,000 word PhD. Who understands the thesis format and how to proof read a thesis. And who also understands the pressure you are under during those final months.

I had the qualifications

Therefore (oh and check out this article on ‘therefore grammar’), I realised that my time spent as an MA creative writer, working in the business world and returning to university provided a grounded perspective. A view point from which I could aid people finish their thesis, and to the best possible quality. I know what words to cut from your writing to make it read well and be more concise. Also, I understand academic writing having, since 2017, proof-read social science theses. Contact me if you would like to know if I have experience in your area (as I also have experience with business, economics and biology, for instance, as well as sociology and politics).

Consistent recommendations

My proofreading portfolio consists of my clients who have consistently given five-star reviews. Even better, they then recommend me to others. I have helped many people learn how to structure their work, I have assisted writers with dyslexia, for example, to polish their prose. Grateful to have read many wonderful theses for my thesis copy editing service, I would not change my job. Formatting confusion? Not a problem!

A proofreader you can trust

So if you are looking for proofreading and editing services at an advanced, or even a typo level, please get in touch.

Who is Emma Parfitt?

Emma Parfitt is a proofreader with +20 years of writing experience with businesses, academics and creative writers. She obtained a Creative Writing MA (St Andrews University) and a PhD in Storytelling (Warwick University). Then set up her own proofreading business and became a published author of fiction as well as academic literature such as Young People, Learning & Storytelling (Palgrave Macmillan).

Get in touch!

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New publication: Seascape

Emma Parfitt — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 16:13:00 +0000

I am happy to announce the forthcoming publication of a book inspired by my storytelling research. The title Seascape comes from a play on the words ‘sea’ and ‘landscape’. Seascape is the title of one of the stories in the book. I had the idea for it walking the coast line of Cornwall. In particular along the areas connected to Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth. Those familiar with these areas will get a lot of the references to Cornish myths and landscape underlying the story.

An old monolithic stone arch at Gyllyndune Gardens (Parfitt, 2012)

Why write a book inspired by research? I had intended the writing to become part of my doctoral thesis. Yet before you think how boring (too late I suppose), the writing did not fit the academic work so I dropped that idea early on. Without using the writing as part of the research process which I did not wish to do at that point I created a book of stories instead. The stories I finally selected are interspersed with quotes from the young people in my research (with their names and details changed to protect their identity).

I invite you to follow me into a world of fairy tales where the lines between fiction and reality blur, and melt and burst into flames. A selkie leaves the sea for the first time to go to university; three young boys find a genie in a can of Irn Bru; two friends think they see a firebird in an old housing estate; a boy discovers that people are not always who they seem to be; a man is spirited away by a snake charmer into a dark maze; goblins crawl through mirrors; an unwilling princess is “saved” from a tower; and Rapunzel is kidnapped by an automaton. A series of eight original short stories to amuse and entertain.

Seascape is available to pre-order here (release date March 26th).

Book cover designed by Manuel Aguilera x

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Exhibition results: “Inspirational”, “fantastic”, “an unexpected delight”

Emma Parfitt — Wed, 30 Nov 2016 14:51:00 +0000

Exhibition results

To celebrate Coventry’s bid for the City of Culture (2021), Dr Emma Parfitt, IAS ECF Fellow, University of Warwick, and Fargo village created an exhibition in the centre of Coventry on the 26th November 2016. The exhibition involved 17 artists (from all mediums and crafts) and doctoral students at the University of Warwick. The artists created pieces based on research. This event was an exciting opportunity to bring members of the public, artists and academics together with the aim of bridging the divides between art-science and academia-community.

Who came?

226 people from Coventry came to the exhibition. Looking into the exhibition what struck me the most was how throughout the day there were always conversations going on. It was a lively, welcoming, social space, with kids, and perhaps I should say kids of all ages, engaging with the artists, researchers and the work that had been produced.

Feedback

Some comments about the collaborations for example were:

“Useful to see research next to images as can’t always understand one on its own”

“Prenatal depression piece really well integrated and informed each other – you can tell she really responded to the piece”

“I wouldn’t usually voluntarily engage with such serious subject matter, but in this space I am happy to for some reason”

“It was amazing to see the pieces take shape in the room that morning.”

About the art

Adam Steiner inspired by Italian migration research (Georgia Wall) created three colourful paintings incorporating tinned tomato wrappers and splashes of greens and reds reminiscent of the Italian flag. One of the pieces was donated to Warwick’s School of Sociology.

Clare Pentalow crafted paper based on Mohammed Sagir’s in physics on a certain kind of material which may mean in the future that we won’t have to charge mobile phones. A work which people described as “detailed close up, shifting in colour”. Here’s an angle taken with the exhibition reflected in the glass of art piece.

Dragons?

Alice Bignami Todd crafted miniature dragons and knights in Resin jewellery inspired by Alice Byrne’s research into historical perceptions of St George’s slaying of the dragons. To be available to buy on Etsy soon!

Andrea Mbarushimana personally connected with Catherine Ellis’s work on sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) painting a series of pictures using mixed media, incorporating eggs, the rolling movements of sleeping babies. Andrea was approached by someone at the University of Warwick interested in displaying her pictures at another event.

Two artists from arty folk collaborated with Rebecca Noble’s research on madness in eighteenth-century Mexico. To produce a stunning sculpture that dominated the centre of the exhibition and made one young boy remark, ‘I like the big thing, the way he pulled her hair.’

Stained glass

Stained glass artist Brian Dickinson created a glass window with three circles representing carbon dioxide in the middle, above a fluid mixture of blue and white glass, which showcased Robert Espley-Jones’ research in engineering well.

Ink

Diana Nour created fabulous detailed ink drawings of grief, and also brought along two large angelic pictures that made a statement in the room. The thoughtful outlines of figures captured stories about the grief process inspired by Deborah Bassett’s work which asks questions about social network sites where messages are created to leave behind for others after their deaths… will this human-computer interaction change the way we grieve?

Emily Honey drew a series of very popular pictures inspired by Didem Derya Ozdemir kaya’s research on the fine-dining experience, in other words show kitchens in Istanbul, Turkey. Where chefs are on display to the dinners. Her beautiful use of colour and the social aspect of dinning, blended well with her sense of humour.

Emma Harris crafted a beautiful sculpture out of clay and mixed-material, a mother, surrounded by paper butterflies symbolising the joys and pains of pregnant and new mothers. Based on Sarah English’s research on perinatal depression.

One of my favs

Eri Tsukamoto’s work on how audiences respond to animal documentaries inspired Frieda Van de Poll to fill a wall of innovative drawings incorporating paper cut outs of animals. Colourful, delightful, and emotional. This picture of a flamingo was my favourite.

More art

Harriet Rowles crafted one large canvas of two figures facing one another, the lower parts of their faces and voices obscured by a wave of water. This captured Dean Howes work on mindfulness.

Photographer Jean Evans took two very strong photographs reflecting dementia which effects men below 65. She took images of a man surrounded by other images of people perhaps representing the faces that he could no longer remember (this researcher was anonymous).

Jenny Egerton was a favourite of the young at heart. She crafted a little bedroom scene with references from many horror films such as Labyrinth and Coraline, amongst others. This was based on Catherine Lester’s research on children’s horror films.

Jewels

Libby Ward, a contemporary jewellery maker used a number of experimental methods to produce textured objects, like necklaces that could be stroked to symbolise Laura Tucker’s research into ex-military personnel and their relationships with companion and assistance animals.

Robert Trueman experimented with the idea of randomness from Elena Achtypi’s psychological research. He took a stunning series of close up water droplets, with interesting names like ‘lnto the Jaws of Death’.

Illustrator Robin Meader collaborated with Vikki Houlden, and her research on greenspaces in urban environments. His colourful and detailed design captured the quiet spaces amongst all the hustle and bustle of modern living.

Ruth Mary created a highly detailed lace necklace based on Rachel Morton’s research into metal ware in seventeenth and eighteen century England

Activities

There was also some free Yoga by Selina Welter, founder of the yummy movement, which incorporated actions like skiing and snowboarding with animals.

It was lovely to see people engaging with the exhibition. You know it’s been a good day when someone says, ‘It was an unexpected delight, thank you’.

Thank you for the 73 comments, and 299 votes for artist-academic collaborations, and the 226 people from Coventry, who came plus others from Leamington, Kenilworth, Rugby, Nuneaton, Redditch, Birmingham, Chilli, London, Sweden, Sunderland, Strathclyde, Leicester. It was lovely to see people so engaged with the exhibition. This event was sponsored by the generosity of Warwick Alumni, the Institute of Advanced Study and Sociology at the University of Warwick. Thank you to everyone for their support.

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What do Starburst and Beetlejuice have in common?

Emma Parfitt — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 14:43:00 +0000

Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice (1988)

For people who have never been to an exhibition and wonder why it would be relevant for them, I would ask them… do you like horror films? Seems a bit random I agree. Needle felting artist, Jenny Egerton selected Catherine Lester’s research in children’s horror films to inspire a piece of art. Perhaps you have watched Coraline (2009) or Frankenweenie (2012) with your kids?

Or are a diehard Beetlejuice (1988) fan? ‘Beetlejuice,’Beetlejuice…’ I won’t tempt fate.

Catherine is in the Department of Film and Television studies at Warwick University. She said,

‘My research investigates the children’s horror film in US cinema from early child-friendly films with frightening elements, such as Snow White (1937), to more recent films like Frankenweenie (2012). Children are traditionally thought of as being innocent, vulnerable and impressionable beings. However, children have been enjoying horror films for decades. I explore how these films use imagery and conventions of the horror genre to represent specific fears and experiences of childhood, such as growing up, relationships with one’s parents, and exploring one’s identity. The conclusions from my research show that, far from being ‘unsuitable for children’, horror provides a fun and safe space for children to confront and learn to overcome fear.’

Interested to see what the outcome will be? To overcome your own fears of exhibition spaces come along and see the artists and academics exhibition on the 26th of November at Fargo Village, Black box studio, Far Gosford St, Coventry, CV1 5ED.

Albert Einschwein, pig scientist, by Jenny Egerton

Artist Jenny Egerton started making models when she was a little girl, bored, on long car journeys with Opal Fruits (Starbursts).

‘My Dad bought us sweets for the journey and if he got Opal Fruits , I would create models out of the sweets. It was a limited palette and left me with sticky fingers, but I think it was the start of something! I went on to study illustration. Then I began to gravitate away from drawn illustrations, and back towards my childhood roots of model making; making three dimensional multi-media models to photograph and use as 2D illustrations. Since leaving University I established my own business making and selling my models, polymer clay and needle felt based mixed media works. My work communicates my passion for storytelling, concept and character, often with some word play or a silly pun thrown in for good measure!’

This event is being supported by Fargo Village and funded by The Culture, Media and Creativity fund, Sociology Department, University of Warwick, and the generous donations from Warwick Alumni.

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IATL Strategic Grant

Emma Parfitt — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 22:00:00 +0000

I have been awarded a grant for a project with the Belgrade Theatre, Coventry to begin on completion of my doctorate. This is a highly competative staff fund, for large-scale projects which support the university’s teaching and learning strategy. I obtained this grant with the support of Cath Lambert.

The title of the project is:

A retrospective study to ascertain the pedagogic benefits of research-led teaching

‘Bearing witness to marginalised groups’

My research interest

The Belgrade Theatre’s ‘bearing witness to marginalised groups’ programme aims to work with young people from diverse backgrounds. Each group works closely with a trained dramaturge (a crafter of stories for the stage), sharing and shaping experiences into dramatic form. This offers young people an opportunity to reflect, share, rethink, and transform their stories. As post-war Coventry was rebuilt so was a theatre for the community (the Belgrade). The Council Statute stated that the theatre was obliged to build links between drama and young people. 50 years later, the Belgrade has continued to work with groups of young people, from primary to secondary school age, in the theatre, in the community, and in schools in Coventry. The theatre’s 14 regular groups meet weekly during term-time, and in addition there are holiday camps and summer schools. Our project is a retrospective study with previous participants of the ‘bearing witness’ programme.

From IATL’s perspective

This project is an exciting opportunity to assess Warwick undergraduates through a research-led teaching experience. I therefore proposed that the study would hire two undergraduates to receive paid research experience and training to improve their employability. The students’ progress will be supported and assessed by the research assistant throughout the study in order to inform the aims and objectives of a research-led teaching module.

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