Greater Exeter Area
Technologist, editor, researcher and project manager * Increasingly tinkering with genAI, mainly for topic- and taxonomy-related work, coding, etc. (But trying to avoid the more obviously brain-rot-inducing uses.) * Expertise in information retrieval, content management, and knowledge engineering * Past experience developing document production systems for UK Parliament * Hands-on software & systems development experience using e.g. Python, SQL, and XML * Adept at working with agile and other methodologies * Academic background in Biochemistry, AI/Cognitive Science, and Philosophy of Biology * British Computer Society member Academic publications listed at https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6911-1890; Medium posts at https://a-powell.medium.com/
Working with authors to create user-focused, market-leading books on tech.
Product manager/ owner for aspects of the Packt books subscription platform. • Implemented related content linking functionality • Prototyped task and taxonomy exploration features • Managed taxonomy development • Developed concepts and prototypes for Tech Leader vertical • Conducted user surveys and interviews to inform product discovery (using Figma to develop and share UI/UX design ideas)
Worked with academic books colleagues to evolve the digital books strategy, identify and define digital possibilities, and facilitate the development of novel products and platform functionality.
Responsible for the development of XML formats, validation mechanisms and processing pipelines for Academic and Education content.
Worked with colleagues to revise team processes, in order to achieve better integration of UX/UI design activity with software development, and ensure timely delivery of MVP functionality for major new ELT platform. (6-month secondment to ELT division)
Publishing technology consultant focusing on XML workflow development. Developed a novel XML/XHTML QA scripting language and associated Windows application (CheckMate). Prince2 Foundation and Practitioner exams passed 2005; MSP Foundation passed 2015; Certified ScrumMaster 2015.
Project-managed various platform migration-related and web product development projects, including a re-write of the ISRCTN clinical trials database.
Led a team responsible for the operation of systems for delivering BioMed Central journal metadata and content to a range of data recipients, including PubMed, PubMed Central, the British Library, and numerous others.
Undertook a variety of technical and academic projects (e.g. authored a report for the ESRC on a symposium of bioscience researchers and funders; developed custom Python routines to assist with book indexing project).