Lauren Bevilacqua

Lauren spends her time writing, editing, reading and searching for great stories, both lived and imagined. As an editor, Lauren enjoys working with authors of fiction and creative non-fiction to bring out the best in their work. Her own writing currently has a non-fiction focus and covers topics such as sustainability, volunteering, work, recruitment, food and the arts. Her research interests include work identity, online communities and digital ethnography. Lauren holds a Graduate Certificate of Editing and Electronic Publishing and a Master of Communication specialising in digital media. Based in South Australia, Lauren runs her own writing and editing business and is a professional member of IPEd, actively participating in her local branch.

Her website can be found at lbevilacqua.com.

Navigating the edges of work self-identity as an independent editor

Editors come from many professional backgrounds and my research into how editors see themselves and use social media to support their identity as editors has revealed some of the edges of work identity as experienced by editors in the study. I am proposing to present a paper that would draw on the findings of my research and reflections on developing my own editorial identity, with a view to showing how we negotiate and navigate the edges of our work identities as editors.

In 2020 I designed and undertook an exploratory study into how independent (freelance) editors experience work identity and the ways in which participation in professional or editing oriented Facebook groups influence the experience of work self-identity. This study was completed as part of my Master of Communication (Digital Media) with Deakin University (and received the relevant ethics approvals). My research identified five ways in which independent editors can use social media to support and develop aspects of their editorial and professional identities. These findings will be presented together with practical suggestions for application. In this way, my presentation aims to connect especially with editors who may feel they are at the edges of the editing profession and offer insights on developing a strong professional identity. it.

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