I work at the interfaces between languages, disciplines, and cultures, and I am equally at home in my two native languages: English and German. I spent my childhood and two years of graduate school in the US and have been living in Germany for more than 30 years.

University degrees:

• Diplom-Ingenieurin (Stadt- und Regionalplanung), Technische Universität Berlin [approx. equivalent to a master's degree in urban and regional planning]
• Master in Public Affairs, Certificate in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy, Princeton University 

Professional experience:

• Freelance editor, translator, and interpreter since 2006,
• 10 years experience in various positions doing environmental work,
• Several years experience in urban and environmental planning.

Most of my translation, editing/proofreading, interpreting, and writing work is in the following subject areas: social sciences, politics and policy, economics, environment and sustainable development, geography, universities, migration, art and culture, cities and urban planning. My natural curiosity helps me familiarize myself quickly with new topics.

I translate and edit journal articles, books, book chapters, proposals, reports, dissertations, websites, etc.

A native speaker of both English and German, I master the nuances of both languages. My language skills are complemented by my background: 2 interdisciplinary university degrees and 10 years experience doing environmental work.

How do I add value to your text? As I translate or edit, I usually identify questions that I clarify with you to ensure that your thoughts are expressed in a precise and readable way.
If you are a German native speaker writing in English, I improve passages that sound “too German” and reconstruct what you intend to say but can’t quite put into words.
… and the same is true if you’re an English native speaker writing in German.

For top-quality translation (and budget permitting), I enjoy working in a two-person team: one person translates, the other edits the translation, then the translator works with the editor’s suggestions, and we solve tricky questions in dialogue. After all, skillful editing adds quality to every text.

Are you publishing a work with texts by multiple authors, for example an anthology or an exhibition catalog? I would be happy to assemble a team and manage the process of translating and (if desired) editing so that you can focus on your other responsibilities.

I understand the publishing process as I have published work of my own, some in peer-reviewed journals.

At Lorenz Hilty Wissenschaftskommunikation, we offer workshops in German or English on interdisciplinary work. Why are interdisciplinary communication and cooperation often so difficult? And how can we do better?

I also moderate events, mostly in academia, in German, in English, and in both languages.

Rush jobs welcome!

I am open to new ideas and interesting projects!

References on request

I work part-time as a translator for Leibniz University Hannover, Germany.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-lustig-158044209/

Publications (selection):

Translator’s Preface [On the problem of translating Nazi German, with special reference to Carl Schmitt] and Glossary, in: Hubertus Buchstein: Enduring Enmity. Bielefeld: Transcript Verlag 2024. 

Baehr CC, Brunner U, Casper K, Lustig SH (2018): KlimaSeniorinnen: Lessons from the Swiss senior women’s case for future climate litigation. Journal of Human Rights and the Environment 9(2):194-221

Published translations (selection):

Hubertus Buchstein: Enduring Enmity. The Story of Otto Kirchheimer and Carl Schmitt. Bielefeld: Transcript Verlag 2024. https://www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-6470-6/enduring-enmity/

Silke Helfrich & David Bollier: Frei, fair und lebendig. Die Macht der Commons. Bielefeld: Transcript Verlag 2019. https://www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-4530-9/frei-fair-und-lebendig-die-macht-der-commons/

Klaus Wiegandt (ed.): A Sustainable Future. 12 Key Areas of Global Concern. London: Haus Publishing 2017. https://www.hauspublishing.com/history-and-biography/a-sustainable-future/