Karen Joy Burch

Driven, detail-oriented, flexible professional with wide-ranging interdisciplinary creative academic experience, seeking opportunities in writing, developmental editing, copyediting, or proofreading.

Independent Comic Publisher at Independent Comic Publisher (2024-01 – Present)

Spearheaded and participated in international team projects to organise promotional events and anthology publications. Researched Japanese printing technologies and independent publishing standards.

• Effectively spearheaded and participated in international team projects to organise promotional events and anthology publications in a mutually supportive environment
• Meticulously researched Japanese printing technologies and independent publishing standards to successfully launch multiple published projects

Freelance Editor (2018–Present)

Provided personalised editing services for clientele based on their unique writing needs, including thorough research of target publication guidelines and communication with diverse backgrounds.

• Used meticulous attention to detail to provide personalised services for clientele based on their unique writing needs, including thorough research of target publication guidelines
• Effectively communicated with clientele of diverse backgrounds to promote their academic interests while providing advice on research and writing skills
• Managed deadlines and multitasked effectively between multiple projects to ensure timeliness
• Extensive experience with CMS, APA, Harvard, AMA, Vancouver, and OSCOLA

Digitiser at Spirit of Revolt Archive (2024–2025)

Collaborated with a team of volunteers to successfully implement archival digitisation. Researched digitisation technologies and learned appropriate techniques.

• Collaborated with a team of volunteers to successfully implement archival digitisation
• Closely researched digitisation technologies and learned appropriate techniques

Digital Media Archivist at Wasteland Inc. (2018–2023)

Creatively developed an efficient and organized intake and cataloguing system for new deposits. Collaborated internationally with other team leaders to advance the brand and protect intellectual properties.

• Creatively developed an efficient and organized intake and cataloguing system for new deposits within the means and budget of the corporation
• Collaborated internationally with other team leaders to advance the brand and protect the intellectual properties of the corporation

Postgraduate Research Assistant at Royal Holloway, University of London (2020–2022)

Applied problem-solving skills and implemented a long-term plan for cataloguing and indexing of an archival collection. Innovatively applied emergent technologies and collaborated with team members on research presentations and publications.

• Applied problem-solving skills and implemented a long-term plan for the cataloguing and indexing of an archival collection's contents to enable their analysis
• Innovatively applied emergent technologies to enhance understanding of the collection
• Effectively collaborated with team members to arrange presentations, panels, and publications on research findings

Research Assistant at Prof. Sandra Cavallo (2020-05 – 2020-08)

Gathered diverse primary sources and conducted in-depth research. Surveyed content for applicability and relevance, and meticulously collated relevant material into standardized format.

• Gathered diverse primary sources and conducted in-depth research
• Closely surveyed content for applicability and relevance
• Meticulously collated relevant material into a standardized, thoroughly cited format

Reference Librarian at Loyola University Chicago (2013-01 – 2013-08)

Assisted researchers in using appropriate online and physical resources for research. Participated in a team reorganizing the reference material section.

• Assisted researchers in using appropriate online and physical resources for research
• Participated in a team reorganizing the reference material section

Supervisor at Wheaton College Special Collections and Archives (2009-01 – 2012-12)

Oversaw circulation duties, local IT support, and intake of new deposits. Conducted digitisation projects and cataloguing projects according to metadata standards.

• Oversaw circulation duties, local IT support, and the intake of new deposits
• Conducted digitisation projects and cataloguing projects according to metadata standards

Circulation Supervisor at Buswell Memorial Library (2009-01 – 2012-12)

Oversaw and organised a team of student employees. Spearheaded major reorganisation and quality check projects to improve library function.

• Oversaw and organised a team of student employees
• Spearheaded major reorganisation and quality check projects to improve library function

Master of Science in Information Management & Preservation – University of Glasgow (2023-01 – 2024-12)

Doctor of Philosophy in History – Royal Holloway, University of London (2015-01 – 2020-12)

Master of Arts in Medieval & Renaissance Studies – Loyola University Chicago (2012-01 – 2015-12)

Certification in TESOL Studies – Wheaton College, IL (2011-01 – 2014-12)

Bachelor of Arts in History – Wheaton College, IL (2008-01 – 2011-12)