// About Me
Bio
Hi! I'm Lize, a dynamic, creative, communicative, proactive thinker and doer. My mission is to increase the societal impact of (scientific) research by improving how it is communicated to diverse audiences. I do this as academic editor and academic blog editor, as well as through my creative work. I collaborate with individuals, companies, researchers and artists to write and shape texts, produce visuals, and create websites.
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Besides working as an academic editor and academic blog editor, I am currently conducting scientific research on understandings of and responses to heatwaves and water scarcity in urban contexts. I recently co-authored an art-science book titled Bron with Dutch photographer Zindzi Zwietering. The book explores experiences of Cape Town's 2018 water crisis, when the city's water almost ran out. Bron's lessons are applicable to other contexts subjected to the changing availability of water.
Education
Work experience
// DPhil in International Development Studies [ongoing]
International Institute of Social Studies of
Erasmus University Rotterdam
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// MSc in Sustainability Science and Policy [2014]
Maastricht University
// BPhil in Journalism [2010]
Stellenbosch University
// BA in International Studies (cum laude) [2009]
Stellenbosch University.
// Academic blog editor
ISS Blog Bliss
International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam
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// Academic blog manager
ISS Blog Bliss
International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam
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// Academic editor and
communications consultant
Lize Swartz Communications
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// Dutch-English translator
HH CE
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// News journalist
Media24
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// Copy editor
Media24
Memberships
// Member of the Research Communications Working Group of the European Association for Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI) [2022–]
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// Member of WALUE, the book club of the International Institute of Social Studies on water governance [2023–]