Gemma Alderton
@gemma-biosciedit.bsky.social
Freelance editor and writer with 18 years experience as an editor at Nature journals and Science. More info at: www.biosciedit.co.uk
If you are interested in working with me, please see what my other clients have to say and feel free to get in touch!
biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
Testimonials
biosciedit.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
If you are interested in working with me, please see what my other clients have to say and feel free to get in touch!
biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
My editing and writing focus on ensuring the proposal makes sense and that the aims will allow you to achieve the objectives. This is more than proofreading, it is an in-depth assessment of your proposal that enables you to make sure it is in the best shape for submission.
4/5
4/5
September 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
My editing and writing focus on ensuring the proposal makes sense and that the aims will allow you to achieve the objectives. This is more than proofreading, it is an in-depth assessment of your proposal that enables you to make sure it is in the best shape for submission.
4/5
4/5
I have worked with many researchers to construct and refine grant proposals for funding organisations in the US, UK and Europe. I can advise on the plan and edit full drafts to ensure they are convincing and clear. I can also draft grant proposals based on your material.
3/5
3/5
September 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I have worked with many researchers to construct and refine grant proposals for funding organisations in the US, UK and Europe. I can advise on the plan and edit full drafts to ensure they are convincing and clear. I can also draft grant proposals based on your material.
3/5
3/5
Grant proposals can be tricky for many reasons, not least because you may not have time to invest in them. It can also be difficult to critically assess your own work that you know intimately. I can help with this.
2/5
2/5
September 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Grant proposals can be tricky for many reasons, not least because you may not have time to invest in them. It can also be difficult to critically assess your own work that you know intimately. I can help with this.
2/5
2/5
"Her editorial expertise in scientific writing is exceptional, offering deep insights that greatly enhance clarity, structure, and overall impact." - Steffen Hage, @unituebingen.bsky.social
15/end
15/end
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
"Her editorial expertise in scientific writing is exceptional, offering deep insights that greatly enhance clarity, structure, and overall impact." - Steffen Hage, @unituebingen.bsky.social
15/end
15/end
"Gemma has a remarkable ability to distil complex topics extremely clearly, cutting out any unnecessary jargon in the process." - @gernon.bsky.social , University of Southampton
14/n
14/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
"Gemma has a remarkable ability to distil complex topics extremely clearly, cutting out any unnecessary jargon in the process." - @gernon.bsky.social , University of Southampton
14/n
14/n
"Gemma is an exceptional scientific writer and editor—the best I’ve had the pleasure of working with." - R. Scott Powers, @stonybrookmedicine.bsky.social
13/n
13/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
"Gemma is an exceptional scientific writer and editor—the best I’ve had the pleasure of working with." - R. Scott Powers, @stonybrookmedicine.bsky.social
13/n
13/n
"Gemma's expert editing significantly improved the clarity and impact of my manuscript, helping refine complex microbiological concepts for submission to a top-ranked journal" - Alexandre Soares Rosado, KAUST
12/n
12/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
"Gemma's expert editing significantly improved the clarity and impact of my manuscript, helping refine complex microbiological concepts for submission to a top-ranked journal" - Alexandre Soares Rosado, KAUST
12/n
12/n
These are all very easy to say/write down, but much harder to do. Which is why a professional editor can really help.
But don’t just take my word for it…
www.biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
11/n
But don’t just take my word for it…
www.biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
11/n
Testimonials
www.biosciedit.co.uk
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
These are all very easy to say/write down, but much harder to do. Which is why a professional editor can really help.
But don’t just take my word for it…
www.biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
11/n
But don’t just take my word for it…
www.biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
11/n
8. Some pet peeves: tell me the organism (mouse, human, fish) and how many! Do not anthropomorphise…eg/ cancer cells do not choose to avoid the immune system or resist drugs. Use simple language, not flowery words no-one else understands. Don’t forget to add page numbers!
10/n
10/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
8. Some pet peeves: tell me the organism (mouse, human, fish) and how many! Do not anthropomorphise…eg/ cancer cells do not choose to avoid the immune system or resist drugs. Use simple language, not flowery words no-one else understands. Don’t forget to add page numbers!
10/n
10/n
7. Write concisely. Writing short is hard! Use active language, split up long sentences with multiple clauses, think about what the reader NEEDS to know to understand your paper/grant etc.
9/n
9/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
7. Write concisely. Writing short is hard! Use active language, split up long sentences with multiple clauses, think about what the reader NEEDS to know to understand your paper/grant etc.
9/n
9/n
6. Be balanced. Make it clear when you are being opinionated and what that opinion is based on. Cite work from other labs (including competitors), avoid bias.
8/n
8/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
6. Be balanced. Make it clear when you are being opinionated and what that opinion is based on. Cite work from other labs (including competitors), avoid bias.
8/n
8/n
5. Spell it out. You are the expert, those reading your work are not, so clearly explain the rationale. Don’t make assumptions.
7/n
7/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
5. Spell it out. You are the expert, those reading your work are not, so clearly explain the rationale. Don’t make assumptions.
7/n
7/n
4. Avoid overgeneralising. It is important to be accurate and specific about interpretations without going further than the data or model. Avoid long discussions, keep focused on the results and direct interpretations.
6/n
6/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
4. Avoid overgeneralising. It is important to be accurate and specific about interpretations without going further than the data or model. Avoid long discussions, keep focused on the results and direct interpretations.
6/n
6/n
3. Accessibility. This doesn’t mean dumbing-down. It means explaining the basics and how an interpretation is reached. It’s about educating, not oversimplifying…
…But finding the right level for general science readers vs general public can be tricky. So a second set of eyes can help.
5/n
…But finding the right level for general science readers vs general public can be tricky. So a second set of eyes can help.
5/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
3. Accessibility. This doesn’t mean dumbing-down. It means explaining the basics and how an interpretation is reached. It’s about educating, not oversimplifying…
…But finding the right level for general science readers vs general public can be tricky. So a second set of eyes can help.
5/n
…But finding the right level for general science readers vs general public can be tricky. So a second set of eyes can help.
5/n
2. Insight. Tell me why I should care. What are the wider implications? What are the limitations and future challenges? How do we overcome hurdles? Don’t just conclude that “we need an interdisciplinary approach to move forward”. What concrete ideas do you have?
4/n
4/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
2. Insight. Tell me why I should care. What are the wider implications? What are the limitations and future challenges? How do we overcome hurdles? Don’t just conclude that “we need an interdisciplinary approach to move forward”. What concrete ideas do you have?
4/n
4/n
These are some of the main issues my edits often address:
1. Narrative flow and storytelling are important. Building an argument in a stepwise manner so that ideas and experiments are connected helps create a clear and convincing piece.
3/n
1. Narrative flow and storytelling are important. Building an argument in a stepwise manner so that ideas and experiments are connected helps create a clear and convincing piece.
3/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
These are some of the main issues my edits often address:
1. Narrative flow and storytelling are important. Building an argument in a stepwise manner so that ideas and experiments are connected helps create a clear and convincing piece.
3/n
1. Narrative flow and storytelling are important. Building an argument in a stepwise manner so that ideas and experiments are connected helps create a clear and convincing piece.
3/n
I often edit papers and revisions to help with the narrative flow, clarity and to make the importance stand out. I also work on grants to help with narrative flow, clarity, and accessibility, as well as to highlight why your proposal is novel and important.
2/n
2/n
May 20, 2025 at 12:28 PM
I often edit papers and revisions to help with the narrative flow, clarity and to make the importance stand out. I also work on grants to help with narrative flow, clarity, and accessibility, as well as to highlight why your proposal is novel and important.
2/n
2/n
"Working with Gemma is great because, first of all, the quality of her editing is exceptional. In addition, Gemma is a very pleasant person, who greatly communicates and always meets the deadline. In short – highly recommended *****" @jonykipnis.bsky.social
March 13, 2025 at 11:12 AM
"Working with Gemma is great because, first of all, the quality of her editing is exceptional. In addition, Gemma is a very pleasant person, who greatly communicates and always meets the deadline. In short – highly recommended *****" @jonykipnis.bsky.social
"Her scientific writing, suggestions and feedback strengthened the clarity and narrative of our research articles." @gorkaorive.bsky.social
www.biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
www.biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
Testimonials
www.biosciedit.co.uk
March 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
"Her scientific writing, suggestions and feedback strengthened the clarity and narrative of our research articles." @gorkaorive.bsky.social
www.biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
www.biosciedit.co.uk/testimonials/
"Your keen editorial eye and insightful suggestions strengthened both the clarity and impact of my work." Raquel Peixoto
7/n
7/n
March 12, 2025 at 2:48 PM
"Your keen editorial eye and insightful suggestions strengthened both the clarity and impact of my work." Raquel Peixoto
7/n
7/n