Brenda Kirsch

editor & journalist

I am a freelance consulting editor, journalist and website writer.

Since 2002 I have edited HM Inspectorate of Prisons reports on a freelance basis. I worked as acting publications manager for the inspectorate from September 2012 to July 2013, as well as between October 2009 and November 2010 and in August 2019.

Since 2017, I have also edited reports and publications for HM Inspectorate of Probation.

I also copyedit and proofread books, catalogues and other publications, including for Lawrence and Wishart publishers, and English translations of books and catalogues for several German art galleries.

I wrote and compiled news stories for the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) website between 2008 and November 2019, as well as writing features and ITF reports about piracy on the high seas, women seafarers and other issues.

My working life has been committed to pursuing social justice and equality, starting out as a researcher for the Labour Research Department in 1973 and then editor of Labour Research from 1975 until 1982, and has included such fields as trade union rights, police monitoring, race equality, rights for people with disabilities, child care, further and higher education.

Publications that I have worked for as an editor and writer include: UC, The Lecturer, NATFHE Journal, Policing London, Lottery and Labour Research, as well as Seven Days (assistant editor). I have also contributed to PCS View, Inclusion, Public Service Magazine, Unions Today, City Limits, Everywoman, NUMAST Telegraph, GMB Journal, New Times.

I have also worked for University and College Union/NATFHE, Kids' Clubs Network, TUC, Commission for Racial Equality, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (writer,Ethnic Diversity In Britain, two editions), Plan, Anglican World, British Association for Performing Arts Medicine, Social Market Foundation, UNICEF-UK, Labour Party - design and communications, UNISON, Southwark Borough Council, Lambeth Borough Council, Greater London Council, Child Poverty Action Group, Contact A Family, South Bank University Local Economy Policy Unit, SKILL, Royal National Institute for the Blind, Disability Benefits Consortium and Disability Alliance.

I am a board member of the publishing house Lawrence and Wishart. I am a member of the National Union of Journalists and Journalism.co.uk