Judge: Best Plain Language Technical Communicator

Digital Channels Specialist, Palmerston North City Council, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Lisa is a writer, editor, and website manager who’s back this year as a fourth-time judge.

She’s also a past winner, so has first-hand experience of the work involved in taking a website from good to great.

The best advice Lisa got as a baby journalist was to write a story as if you’re telling it to your mates at the pub. Advice that’s just as useful in creating effective, reader-focused webpages.

‘I’ve always championed clear and concise writing, and pushed for the businesses I’ve worked for to develop a plain language culture. My current day job has a big focus on improving customer experience. I like to say I create digital experiences that work for humans. Clarity, structure, and simplicity — the bread and butter of plain language advocates — are our basic building blocks. If we can sprinkle a little joy on top with some whizzy tech stuff, that’s great, but clear communication has to be at the heart of everything we do.’

Meet the judges for the Plain Language Awards

How the judging process works