Sandy Aitken, BSc

Location: CAMBRIDGE

Membership Grade: Advanced Professional Member

Contact Info

Phone: 01223 690 914
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sandyaitken.com

General Experience

I have indexed many books on the social sciences (including sociology, anthropology, history, cultural studies, area studies and more), business and economics.

My experience is mainly with academic texts but also with books aimed at bringing social science topics to a broader audience; books covering original research and/or literature reviews; single author and edited multi-author collections (often international).

Prior to becoming an indexer I worked in international communications, market and social research for many years, covering six continents and a wide range of subject matter.

I aim to create indexes which provide access to all meaningful topics and themes in your book or document. Topics which are not stated explicitly are as important as those which are stated outright.

My previous experience in communications research also helps me to create indexes which are truly user-friendly, by thinking about your book and the subject from the readers’ point of view. I take into account how real readers look for information, and how your readers are likely to use your book or document.  

I can index for audiences on either or both sides of the Atlantic, or the global English-speaking community.

Subjects

Social Sciences (All Areas)

I cover sociology, anthropology, economics, history, cultural studies, area studies and more.

Prior to becoming an indexer I worked in international communications, market and social research for many years, covering six continents. As an indexer I work on many international topics and edited collections, and can index for UK, US, transatlantic, or global audiences.

Sociology

Recent topics indexed include identity, migration, media and communications, racism and ethnocentrism, social change, power asymetries, employment and work, networks, culture, conflict and repression, gender relations, and social control among many others.

My previous career was in research communications/social/market).

My degree included multiple courses on sociology.

Social Policy

I frequently index books on migration, austerity, inequality, urban and rural development, and employment.

My previous career was in research, working in a wide range of relevant sectors.

Anthropology - Social

Recent examples of topics indexed include unemployment, migration (multiple works), informal workers, acceleration of change, identity, relations between civilians and foreign military bases, networks of central bankers, workplace practices and cultures, racism and the media, cultural practices in Papua New Guinea, and an overview of anthropology theory and practice.

Cultural Studies

Topics recently covered include unemployed workers, migration, informal workers, acceleration of change, identity, networks, workplace practices and cultures, spectacle in authoritarian states, and cultural practices in Papua New Guinea.

Geography - Human

Recent examples of topics include: migration (multiple works), urban and rural development (multiple works), and a collection of essays on the influences of Michael Watts.

Media Studies

Worked in communications and media research for many years, covering six continents. As an indexer, topics I have worked on include media amnesia and austerity; racism and the media, and the role of file save right-wing media.

Economics

Have indexed numerous books in this field, on theory, history, institutions, policy, trends/recent developments, the financial crisis, labour and employment, innovation and technology. International coverage.

Have a BSc Economics (Wharton). Worked in international research for many years.

Business

Previous career in market and communications research across many sectors, domestic and international. Significant management experience.

BSc Economics (Wharton) with major in marketing and international business. Have indexed on many topics including disruption, Chinese innovation, North Korean trade networks, central banking networks, the IMF, and multiple titles on employment topics.

Management

Previous career in market and communications research across many sectors, domestic and international. Significant management experience.

BSc Economics (Wharton) with major in marketing and international business. Have indexed on many topics including disruption, Chinese innovation, North Korean trade networks, central banking networks, the IMF, and multiple titles on employment topics.

Urban Development

Have worked on topics including gentrification, spectacle and development, cooperative and ecological housing.

Africa

Have indexed on many topics including migration, entrepreneurialism, informal economy, history, racism and ethnocentrism, urban development, media and framing. Countries indexed on include South Africa, Liberia, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, DR Congo, Tunisia, Sierra Leone.

Asia

Have indexed on many topics including social issues and policy; economics; foreign policy.

Recent examples include China’s relations with the rest of East Asia and US; North Korea’s international economic links; innovation in China; management philosophy in China; unemployment experiences in various countries; health care in various countries; Filipino migration; US military bases; informal workers in various countries; urban development; development and indigenous communities; missionaries and imperialism.

Countries have recently covered include China, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Georgia, among others.

Previously worked in international research, including on Asia.

Usa

Have indexed many books including on economic policy; economic history; foreign policy and relations; racism; unemployment; healthcare industry; 19c. history; and employment issues.

Regularly work for US authors, publishers, and readerships.

China

Have indexed on various topics including business, economics, foreign relations, and urban development. Previously worked in international research, including on China.

Current Affairs

Have indexed many books in this area, especially on economic and social policy, politics, and international relations. I’ve indexed multiple books on austerity, the growth of inequality, migration, employment issues, identity politics, and urban and rural development.

My experience covers the US, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

American History

Have indexed many books in this area, covering the colonial era to the recent past. Examples include histories of economic policy, employment regulation, the missionary movement, military bases abroad, central banking, arms control talks, and development policy.

History (All Areas)

Have indexed many books especially on social and economic history. I regularly index books covering the history of economic thought and policy, migration, and employment issues. Examples of other topics I have indexed include histories of global central banking, IMF policy, East Asian and US international relations, arms control talks, mass movements and rebellions in Europe, prostitution in Eastern Europe.


Recent indexes include

Natalie Koch, The Geopolitics of Spectacle: Space, Synecdoche, and the New Capitals of Asia , Cornell University Press
Laura Basu, Media Amnesia: Rewriting the Economic Crisis , Pluto Press
Mike Wendling, Alt-Right: From 4chan to the White House , Pluto Press

Rosemary Rees, Dan Nuttall and Darryl Tomlin, Exploring History (Textbook, Key Stage 3) , Hart McLeod/Pearson
Cynthia Cockburn, Looking to London: Stories of War, Escape and Asylum , Pluto Press
Robert S. Ross and Øystein Tunsjø, Structural Adjustment and the Rise of China , Cornell University Press
Ryan Schram, Harvests, Feasts, and Graves: Postcultural Consciousness in Contemporary Papua New Guinea , Cornell University Press

Clients Include

University presses, independent publishers, authors commissioning directly, publishing service companies.

Special Publication Type