About me – writing

Writing gigs

Novelist
Self-employed
2023–present

Full time, writing and rewriting a series of science fiction novels. This is the most important and satisfying thing I have ever done.

Editor
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
2022–2023

MDPI is the world’s fifth-largest academic publisher, and the largest publisher of open-access journals. MDPI publishes nearly 400 peer-reviewed journals across all of academic research. My role was copyeditor for research papers.

Science Writer
Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, TERN
2022

TERN is an Australian national research infrastructure facility. It collects and collates ecological monitoring data from around Australia, making them available for researchers. I wrote:

• Feature articles
• News items
• Special publications
• Outreach materials
• Video scripts

Science Content Creator
YouTube
February 2022–present

I create educational science content for my YouTube channel, The Big Ideas.
(I know it needs a new title.)

Science Writer
Netcompany-Intrasoft & European Commission Directorate-General for Research
2013–2022

Netcompany-Intrasoft is a multinational software corporation, providing database and editorial services to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research.
For nine years, I wrote about all EU-funded research, including for the EU’s premier science magazine, Horizon.

• Report summaries
• Feature articles

Science Writer & Educator
Pearson Australia (contractor)
2017–2018

I was co-writer for the 2018/19 updated editions of the upper-secondary biology texts intended for New South Wales schools, previously called Heinemann Biology 1 & 2 (years 11 and 12). The new editions addressed recent extensive curriculum updates.

• Pearson Biology 11 New South Wales Student Book (1st Edition, 2018), ISBN 9781488619250.
  • Chapter 9: Evolution
  • Chapter 10: Evolution – the evidence
• Pearson Biology 12 New South Wales Student Book (1st Edition, 2019), ISBN 9781488619267.
  • Chapter 14: Homeostasis

Science Writer
European Geophysical Union, Munich
2011–2014

Feature articles about the entire range of geophysical and space sciences.

Science Writer & project-manager
Earth Observatory of Singapore
2010–2011

This management-level position involved writing:

• feature- and profile-articles about EOS research and researchers;
• funding proposals;
• briefing documents (governments, and supervisory boards);
• media releases;
• diverse educational/outreach materials aimed at SE Asian and international audiences.

Many of my articles were reprinted in Singapore media and internationally.

After I left EOS for personal reasons, with EOS’ formal support, I continued much the same work I had been doing, plus:

• outreach materials; &
• managing a major volcano coffee-table book project.

Science and medical writer
EBSCO Host (international full-text academic journal database)
June–December 2009 (Contract)

A series of articles about various science, medical and health topics. Intended as general references and discussion pieces for secondary students.

Publications Manager, (Science Writer/Editor/Communicator)
Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems (CSIRO position)
1998–2003

I managed high-level communication projects, particularly publications, and contributed to communications strategies and policy. I managed, wrote/edited, designed and produced the quarterly news magazine CRCSS Space Industry News (ISSN 1329-4857).

• Feature articles
• Reports
• Outreach publications
• Media materials

Many of my articles were reprinted nationally and internationally, also nominated for major awards.

Information Officer (Science Writer/Communicator)
CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications (COSSA)
1996–1997

I managed and wrote most of CSIRO Space Industry News (ISSN 1037-5759). I also wrote and produced other COSSA outreach publications, and handled media liaison.

Science Writer and Editor (freelance)
CSIRO clients
1992–1995

I wrote a diverse range of magazine features and information documents for many public and professional audiences. Clients included:

• CSIRO Division of Wildlife and Ecology
• The Co-operative Research Centre for the Biological Control of Vertebrate Pest Populations
• Ecos (flagship CSIRO magazine)
• Rural Research (CSIRO magazine)
• The Helix (CSIRO YA magazine, huge readership)
• National Rangelands Program
• CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications
• CSIRO Space Industry News

Books

Non-fiction

Mythbusting the Cult of Confucius (2013), ISBN-13: 978-1-62652-001-1

Landmark analytical book about Chinese culture and philosophy, including the implications for western countries. The book mainly consists of original principles, derived from direct observation and/or new interpretations of historic texts. Its powerful conclusions contribute substantially to the topic.

Life in Our Solar System? (ebook, 2024)
A non-fiction science education book for young adults.

This is Your Birthright (full publishing proposal, submitted 2022).
The key educational ideas of science without the school tests.

Fiction

Humanish (88,000 words). Science fiction novel.
Completed and submitted, 2025.

Karma Cascade (60,000 words). Young adult novel.
A philosophical mentor story, also guide to giving good gifts and living well. Submitted for publication, December 2015.

Miscellaneous published science fiction and horror stories, early-mid 90s.

About me – teaching