Jo Bettles, BA MSc

Enquiries regarding books on Africa are very much welcome. I have indexed books involving agriculture, citizenship, energy systems, food security, gender, human rights and sustainability.

Coming from an agricultural background and with a working knowledge of farming, I particularly welcome books on this subject. I regularly help on our family farm in practical terms and with farm administration. Research towards my MSc involved developments in agriculture and the social networks of farmers. My interest in agriculture includes animal welfare, land management, sustainability and climate change.

With an MSc Social Research Methods, a significant part of the course was spent looking at qualitative methods such as participant observation and ethnography. Concepts studied include reflexivity and triangulation. I particularly enjoy indexing ethnography which I feel is rich, layered and always interesting to read.

I have previously studied graphics within art and design. This included historical development, commercial advertising and the use of various materials and processes. I enjoy visiting art galleries when possible.

Formerly I have worked for voluntary and community sector infrastructure organisations. During this time I was involved with a wide range of charities, service users and volunteers. Some of my work included mapping services, organising forums and supporting volunteering developments.

Whilst studying psychology and during my BA (Hons) Education, I looked at theories of child development. On becoming a parent, I have developed my understanding along the journey and hold an interest in books on parenting.

Disability
Previously at work I have focused on disability and developed access to services, for example, by speaking to service users, organising staff training, purchasing equipment and bringing in expert advice. Equality of opportunity is of great interest to me. Particular areas of knowledge are autism and dyslexia.

I hold a BA (Hons) Education and a Certificate in Further Education Teaching. My experience in further education, higher education and adult education includes outreach development work, action research, teaching ICT, work in libraries, survey research, project data analysis and course administration. Helping others to gain study skills was at the centre of much of this work. I have been involved in teacher education in terms of continuing professional development for lecturers. This has included information learning technology, literacy and capturing soft outcomes. While working in college learning resource centres I supported people, including those with learning disabilities, to access resources.

I have worked in secondary education settings and worked and volunteered in several primary schools. Two years of my degree course focused on primary education. The area of special educational needs is of particular interest to me and I have various experience with this.

Themes of equality run through most of the books that I index and are of great interest to me. In the past I have worked on the development of access to further education from a college setting.

With experience working in food production and catering, I welcome indexing work around food and drink. Coming from a farming background I am interested in how food is sourced and produced. Cooking is a love of mine and so cookery book indexing is most welcome.

I have learnt a great deal from working on books about Middle Eastern countries. Subject matter, so far includes gender, migrant remittance, occupation and revolution.

I have previously studied psychology including cognitive development, memory, gender, attachment, artificial intelligence and social influence. I have a great interest in psychology.

Social history really appeals to me and I welcome indexing in this area. Topics I have looked into previously include World War II, Victorian era and prison systems.

Social Sciences
I find social science material fascinating and have an MSc Social Research Methods. This involved learning about quantitative and qualitative methods, with my specialism being ethnography. I studied sociology as part of my BA Education and my MSc. This included investigating different sociological theories within topics such as, education, identity and work.

Books that I have worked on involve cultural studies, development studies, gender studies and social policy.