SERVICES
Management
We provide critical bandwidth and management expertise, helping to run operations, direct communications, and shape publications through project, relationship, and editorial management.
Grant Writing, Development &
Relationship Management
We help secure research and programmatic funding and manage these critical relationships through grant writing, development, and management services.
Track record: We have helped our clients secure more than $2.5M in funding from private funders since 2020.
Writing & Editing
We advance evidence and knowledge through writing and editing services and by illuminating stories that inform and benefit the public interest.
ABOUT
JENNIFER ROCHE is an experienced consultant, writer, and editor who works with leaders in think tanks, higher ed, and non-profit organizations.
She advances evidence and knowledge by guiding and shaping communications through project and editorial management; secures research and programmatic funding through grant writing, development, and relationship management; and illuminates stories that inform and benefit the public interest.
Roche’s clients include World Scientific Publishing, where she is currently an acquisitions editor; The University of Chicago, where she is a designated business partner; Becker Friedman Institute for Economics; Booth School of Business; MIT; UC Law SF; World Bank Group; Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago; Comer Family Foundation; and McGraw Hill. Since 2020, she has helped her clients secure over $2.5M in funding.
Her writing has appeared in Inside Philanthropy, National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) Digest, Becker Friedman Institute for Economic Research News, SciArt, State of the Planet, and Entrepreneur.
Roche is a former executive editor for McGraw Hill. She earned a BS in finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MLA from the University of Chicago.
Roche is committed to advancing equity and the pursuit of positive research and policy outcomes for the most vulnerable populations and the planet. Her pronouns are she/her/hers.
PORTFOLIO
Bylined writing examples
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Can philanthropy help decarbonize the maritime shipping industry? (Inside Philanthropy)
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How one big question led to a national curriculum in climate science in Israel (Comer Family Foundation)
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Meeting patients where they are: How Medical Home Network’s Innovative Model of Care improves patient outcomes — and the bottom line (Comer Family Foundation)
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State of American philanthropy: Giving for oceans and freshwater (Inside Philanthropy)
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A decade of ocean philanthropy: As threats rise, funding levels double but remain modest (Inside Philanthropy)
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Income mobility in the families of immigrants and US natives (National Bureau of Economic Research Digest)
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Women persistently sell themselves short of same-skill men (National Bureau of Economic Research Digest)
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Migration & Me: Connecting people with nature through stories of personal journey (Chicago Wilderness)
Client project examples (contributing writer, editor, or project manager)
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Ensuring greener economic growth for Brazil (Climate Policy Initiative)
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What is happening in Amazon deforestation? (Infographic - Climate Policy Initiative)
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A solvable problem - ending youth homelessness (Video - Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago)
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Voices of youth count: Understanding and ending youth homelessness (Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago)
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Redefining priorities in infrastructure development in the Amazon (Climate Policy Initiative)
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Mapping the effect of deforestation on rainfall (Climate Policy Initiative)
I turn to Bowerbird when I need a story or project handled smoothly and reliably. Jennifer is more than just an expert and effective writer and editor. Sensitive to organizational needs, issues, and nuances, she readily grasps assignments—even the complicated, ill-defined or evolving ones—and independently dives in to figure out what she needs to know to produce effective communications. She listens, points out potential gaps or pitfalls, welcomes feedback, and is always ready to iterate, although her first submissions are almost always rock-solid and ready to print. She has been a joy to work with.
TS, University of Chicago
Jennifer and I were colleagues at About.com, writing and editing city sites, where the work load was monumental. Not only did she juggle her various responsibilities seamlessly, she often took time to help co-workers and encourage the new writers joining our team. In my experience, it's uncommon to find a person with Jennifer's skills -- who is also as thoughtful, hard-working and genuinely kind. Working with Jennifer was a highlight of my years at About.com. I would welcome the opportunity to work with her again.
IT, Writer and Researcher
Jennifer Roche was the executive editor in charge of this book and she has taken up this task with aplomb, shepherding the project through the various stages in a professional, fair, and enthusiastic way.
Acknowledgments, Internet Business Models and Strategies by Afuah and Tucci
Named 2020 Business Partner to the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
Working with Bowerbird has been an excellent experience. Bowerbird has helped us craft high-profile, complex, and sensitive communications in a higher education and research environment. The Bowerbird team is highly skilled, professional and responsive. We would strongly recommend Bowerbird to anyone in need of communications expertise and robust content creation.
Shana Whitehead, Chief of Staff,
IT Services, UChicago
Jennifer Roche is an exceptional writer who has covered stories about complex technical economics research using a reader-friendly approach. She is an outstanding collaborator and consistently offers excellent guidance and service.