My role

I joined the team on a six-week contract to write a style guide for the new app. But once they saw the impact of focused, thoughtful UX copy, the contract was extended until well over a year.

As the sole UX writer on the project, I worked on:

• Microcopy across the app – Writing form labels, error messages, tooltips and other interface copy to guide authors, editors and reviewers through a surprisingly intricate flow

• Tone of voice – Creating a style guide that kept things clear for non-native English speakers, without ever sounding patronising

• Editor communications – Writing and sending a monthly update to 1,000 editors, explaining changes, improvements, and ways to get more from the app

• Stakeholder collaboration – Working closely with researchers, editors, and reviewers to refine the language and make sure it worked for every audience

The challenge

Tone was everything. Most users were non-native English speakers, so the copy had to be simple and unambiguous. But the audience was also highly educated – and wouldn’t tolerate anything that felt too casual, vague or overly simplified. Finding that balance shaped every part of the writing.

The outcome

While I don’t have hard metrics, my work helped improve the app’s clarity and flow - supporting thousands of researchers, editors and reviewers as they navigated the complex submission process.