Other writing

I do a lot of writing. Mainly for other people and mainly about health-related matters.

I run a consultancy business providing science communication and health policy support (if you want to know more about that, click here). I've covered a wide variety of topics and a list of my eclectic range of publications is at the bottom of this page. I’ve also produced other writing, such as for blogs, press releases, unpublished health policy reports and consultation responses, editing papers for multidisciplinary projects, and newsletters.

Early in my career, I was recognised for my science writing in the Medical Research Council Max Perutz and Daily Telegraph science writing competitions, although prior to that my school was not quite so impressed by my talents. I would like to state here that I’m still somewhat aggrieved that I didn’t get awarded the English writing prize at school when I was 15. Still, at least I now write for a living and have some of it published – better than the £3 book token I missed out on, I’m sure you’ll agree!
​

Publications

Popular science books

• Willett A. Drinkology: The Science of What We Drink and What it Does To Us, From Milks to Martinis. 2019. Robinson (Little, Brown)
• Willett A. & Barnett J. How Much Brain Do We Really Need? 2017. Robinson (Little, Brown)
  • Italian version published 2018
  • Russian version published 2019

Press articles

• Willett A. Take a break from alcohol. Psychologies Magazine. February 2020
• Willett A. Five minute hack: Hangovers. Fabulous Magazine. 15th December 2019
• Willett A. The science of the perfect cup of tea. BBC Science Focus Magazine website. 20th November 2019. https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/science-of-tea/ 
• Willett A. Why plant milks are no healthier than cow's milk. Daily Mail. 5th November 2019; also featured on The Mail Online website: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7648777/Why-trendy-plant-milks-no-healthier-cows-milk-according-DR-ALEXIS-WILLETT.html 
• Willett A. & Barnett J. Age old problem: How to stay clever for longer. Observer Magazine. 3rd December 2017. [Also featured on The Guardian website: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/dec/03/age-old-problem-how-to-stay-clever-for-longer]
• Willett A. Norman Helmet (column). Young Archaeologists Club Magazine. [Council for British Archaeology]. Summer 1997
• Willett A. World Cup (comment). Bury Free Press. June 1990

Corporate publications

• Online Therapy News. Ieso Digital Health. December 2018
• SBRI Healthcare e-Bulletin. Eastern Academic Health Science Network. August 2018
• Finding the Key to the Cures. A Plan to End Bowel Cancer By 2050. Bowel Cancer UK. 2017
• Target SUDI Together: Research Priorities in Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy. The Lullaby Trust. 2017
• Stronger Connected: A Guide to Building Neurological Alliances. European Federation of Neurological Alliances. 2014
• Defeating MS Together: The European Code of Good Practice in MS. European Multiple Sclerosis Platform. 2014
• Help Us Find the Cures. An Action Plan to Tackle Critical Gaps in Breast Cancer Research. Breast Cancer Campaign. 2013
• Heart Patients and the Benefits System. British Heart Foundation. 2012
• Palliative and End of Life Care in Prisons: Conference Report. Macmillan Cancer Support. 2011
• Changing Lives Today: Making a Real Impact Through Influencing and Education. Breakthrough Breast Cancer. 2010

Booklets & leaflets

• Safer Sleep for Babies: a guide for parents. The Lullaby Trust. 2013
• Safer Sleep for Babies. (Easy-read card) The Lullaby Trust. 2013
• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: a guide for professionals. The Lullaby Trust. 2013
• Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge. 2011
• Contributed content to Breakthrough Breast Cancer patient information booklets (2005-10):
  • The Best Treatment: Your guide to breast cancer treatment in England and Wales
  • The Best Treatment: Your guide to breast cancer treatment in Scotland
  • The Best Treatment: Your guide to UK services for people with a family history of breast cancer

Website content

• Tangelo House. 2019-present (Design & content)
• The Big Idea: How the GAPS project was born & what it means for the future. The Lullaby Trust website. 2017
• Living With A Terminal Illness. Marie Curie website. 2014
• Our Science. Breast Cancer Campaign website. 2013
  
• Science Storm. Breast Cancer Campaign website. 2013
• Dying Matters website. 2013 (Information review & redesign)
• Behaviour & Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge website. 2010-11 (Design & content)
• Punch Consulting. 2010-present (Design & content)

Clinical guidelines

• Rainsbury R. & Willett A. (eds). Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction: Guidelines for Best Practice. Association of Breast Surgery and British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. 2012
• Willett AM. Michell MJ. & Lee MJR. (eds). Best Practice Diagnostic Guidelines for Patients Presenting with Breast Symptoms. 2010

Academic papers

• Hauck FR, McEntire BL, Raven LK, Bates F, Lyus LA, Willett AM, Blair PS.Research Priorities in Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: An International Consensus. Pediatrics. Jul 2017; e20163514; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2016-3514
• Eccles SA, Aboagye EO, Ali S et al.Critical research gaps and translational priorities for the successful prevention and treatment of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Research. 2013 Oct 1; 15(5):R92 (provided editorial assistance)
• Leonard RC, Barrett-Lee PJ, Gosney MA, Willett AM, Reed MW, Hammond PJ. Effect of Patient Age on Management Decisions in Breast Cancer: Consensus from a National Consultation. The Oncologist. 2010; 15(7):657-64
• Willett A. Cant S. Spiers Magny A. Cefai M. & Etwell S. Awareness Of Breast Cancer Risk, Symptoms And Screening Among UK Women Aged 50 Or Over. Royal College of GPs National Annual Conference: A Fresh Approach. RCGP website. 2007 (abstract)
• Willett AM. Vitamin D status and its effects on PTH and bone mineral status in older adolescents. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2005; 64(2):193-203
• Willett A. The Human Super Structure: an essay. Nutrition Bulletin. 2004; 29(1):62-63
• Willett AM. Ginty F. Prentice A. No effect of calcium supplementation on vitamin D status in 16-18 year old boys. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2004; 19(6):1047
• Willett AM. Ginty F. Prentice A. Effects of calcium supplementation on vitamin D status in 16-18 year old girls.Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2004; 63:39A
• Willett AM. ‘Biological evidence: Animal bone’, in S. Anderson, A Medieval Moated Site at Cedars Field, Stowmarket, Suffolk, East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper 2004; 15:24-25
• Willett AM. ‘Biological evidence: Shell’, in S. Anderson, A Medieval Moated Site at Cedars Field, Stowmarket, Suffolk, East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper 2004; 15:25
• Willett AM. ‘Environmental Evidence: Animal Bone’, in E. Bales (ed), Smoke House Inn, Beck Row, Suffolk: Archaeological Investigations, East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper 2004; 20:45-49
• Tester C. & Willett AM. ‘Prehistoric Pottery’, in E. Bales (ed), Smoke House Inn, Beck Row, Suffolk: Archaeological Investigations, East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper 2004; 20:33-42