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Experience

From 2020-2026, I worked at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, where I held progressively senior roles spanning publishing, digital content production, and strategic communications.

Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy (Houston, Texas)

2024 - 2026

Policy Communications Specialist

Developed cross-functional communications strategies to promote high-level policy research, events, and initiatives, including flagship reports and major conferences.

 

Collaborated with institute experts and staff to create compelling content strategies and adapt long-form research into accessible formats for target audiences, including policy explainers, newsletters, op-eds, press releases, and podcast episodes.
 

Served as lead producer and editor for the institute’s podcast network, including the flagship weekly “Baker Briefing” podcast. Managed a team of podcast interns and led a comprehensive overhaul of the podcast network, including visual identity, music, episode web display, and publishing and marketing strategies. In the first year leading “Baker Briefing,” grew its average downloads from roughly 700 to 7,500 per month.

2023 - 2024

Senior Editor 

Developed and coordinated content strategies for major publications, events, and initiatives in addition to staff editor responsibilities, including media outreach and microsite design and production. Delivered secondary review for publications and marketing copy across the editorial and digital teams. 

2020 - 2023

Staff Editor

Shepherded hundreds of academic-style policy research publications, including papers, reports, briefs, articles, and commentaries, through the editing process. Worked closely with institute experts to deliver clear, constructive review and feedback at each stage of editing, with careful attention to logic and structure of argument, readability, and tone in adherence with brand standards.

 

Wrote copy to promote research and events via the institute’s newsletters, social media, website, and annual reports. With a fellow editor, produced a weekly newsletter and maintained a daily presence on the institute’s main social media accounts.

Education

Expected December 2026

MA, Anthropology | University of Houston

2013 - 2017

BA, Linguistics | University of Texas at Austin

Tools & Standards

  • Adobe Acrobat

  • Adobe Audition

  • AP, Chicago & MLA styles

  • Asana

  • Bluesky

  • Canva

  • Drupal

  • LinkedIn

  • Google Workspace

  • Mailchimp

  • Microsoft Word

  • Slack

  • Sprout Social

  • WordPress

  • X/Twitter

  • YouTube

Want to discuss a project? Let’s get in touch.

© 2026 by Karina Zemel

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