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Magazines
editing, managing and commissioning

RCP's The Bulletin January 2021, edited by Brian Burns (BB Communications)
Royal College of Pathologists, The Bulletin, April 2021, cover art

I was responsible for editing and designing all articles and other content in InDesign for the College's January 2021 The Bulletin and saw it through to publication (print and digital). This edition celebrated the pathology workforce and securing its future in changing times. In addition to regular College news, this edition

also included wide-ranging articles on subjects such as higher specialist scientific training,

diversity and inclusion, International Pathology Day, Covid-19, coronaviruses and preparedness

for the next pandemic, and much more.

 

I also edited and designed articles and other content for the April 2021 edition up to point of handover

in March 2021. As well as all the regular sections detailing College news, this edition focused on genomics and pathology, including features on integrating genomics into pathology, incorporating genomics into clinical biochemistry services, the 100,000 Genome Project, genomic testing

for haematological malignancies and training the pathology workforce in genomic medicine,

as well as resources on viruses and vaccines.

Macmillan Mac Voice magazine spring 2013
Macmillan Mac Voice magazine summer 2013

For the spring 2013 edition of Macmillan's healthcare professional magazine, Mac Voice, I was responsible for editing all content and saw it through to print. The spring edition included news, a Q&A with a Boots Macmillan information pharmacist, six features on subjects including rehabilitation and clinical buddying, a sharing good practice pull-out on networking and sharing in the internet age, an In-focus section

on acute oncology services, and resources.

 

I also commissioned and planned the summer 2013 edition. In addition to the regular news

and resources sections, this edition included a Q&A with a Macmillan specialist oncology

dietitian (whom I interviewed), 11 features on subjects including acute oncology, information prescriptions training, caring for children and voluntary care in Africa. The good practice

pull-out focused on delivering good presentations.

Diabetes Update magazine winter 2010
Diabetes Update magazine summer 2011
Diabetes Update magazine summer 2010

I was the editor of Diabetes UK's quarterly healthcare professional magazine, Diabetes Update, for

three years, planning, commissioning, editing and producing 14 editions. I also led on a complete

redesign and editorial revamping, expanding content, improving quality and reducing costs, 

all completed in time for the third edition.

 

Each edition of Diabetes Update included news, research news, an opinion piece, a three-way diagnostic and treatment discussion feature called 'Talking clinic', a digested version of an article featured in the organisation's academic journal, Diabetic Medicine, and sections focusing on developments and good practice in diabetes service delivery and care delivery. Additionally, there were three full-length feature articles on wide-ranging subjects, with one usually dedicated to promising areas of research. The magazine also included regular fact files, professional diary dates and wall-charts (insulins, insulin pens and meters).

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During my time as editor, I commissioned a readership satisfaction survey, which delivered

a 95% approval rating. 

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Action on Hearing Loss Volunteer Focus June 2017
Action on Hearing Loss Policy and campaigns newsletter July 2017
Action on Hearing Loss Policy and campaigns newsletter April 2017
Action on Hearing Loss Policy and campaigns newsletter July 2017
Action on Hearing Loss Policy and campaigns newsletter July 2017

Action on Hearing Loss's Volunteer Focus, June 2017, and two editions of its Policy and campaigns Newsletter. I did detailed line editing of all copy, providing new copywriting where required, and proofreading of all layouts.  

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Volunteer Focus rounded up all news relevant to the organisation's volunteers, including events, awards and campaigning, and also featured a Q&A with a volunteer who had made a notable contribution to the organisation's goals.

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The Policy and campaigns Newsletter, with an introduction from the Director of Policy and Campaigns, included news updates, features and regular sections related to the organisation's work in the areas of national policy, and to its active campaigns to improve the lives of everyone who is deaf or has hearing loss.

Diabetes UK Research Matters magazine
Diabetes UK Research Matters magazine

Diabetes UK's research magazine for non-professional members,

Research matters, was produced three times a year. I was the managing editor for three years, in which time I saw it through a complete redesign.  

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Research matters regularly included news, research results and updates on

the organisation's latest round of research funding, a feature article focusing

on promising or breakthrough diabetes research, and an interview with

a Diabetes UK-funded researcher.

BB Communications: content creation services

Optimised digital content  Copywriting Editing • Technical editing 

Structural editing • Line editing Proofreading Proof-editing Publications management

Creative Pragmatic • Collaborative working Adaptability • Responsive to digital/technological advances

Problem-solving  Critical/analytical thinking • Continuous learning

 Contact BB Communications

​bgbcomms1@gmail.com
or use the Contact form
London
© Brian G Burns 2025
 

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