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. I cover a wide variety of topics and a list of my eclectic range of publications is at the bottom of this page. I also produce other writing, such as press releases, unpublished health policy reports and consultation responses, newsletters, and edit papers for multidisciplinary projects.

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’m still somewhat aggrieved that I didn’t get awarded the school's English prize when I was 15)! 
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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)
  • (Chinese version forthcoming)
• Willett A. & Barnett J. How Much Brain Do We Really Need? 2017. Robinson (Little, Brown)
  • Italian version published 2018
  • Russian version published 2019
  • (Chinese, Romanian and Arabic versions forthcoming)

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Press articles

• Willett Alexis. Sports drinks and energy drinks: Do they work? Front Vision. June 2020
• Willett Alexis. About milk. Front Vision. June 2020
• 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. The Human Super Structure. Nutrition Bulletin. 2004; 29(1):62-63
• 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

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

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)
• 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)

Blogs

• What's the difference between probiotics and prebiotics? Medium. May 2020
• Should we trust science in the media? Tips to help you make sense of it all. Medium. May 2020
• How to make sense of science in the media. How To. April 2020
• Hot chocolate is good for you, right? The health benefits of cocoa-based drinks. Medium. April 2020
• Make the right impact with your questionnaire. Tangelo House website. April 2020
• The need for charities post-coronavirus and where to begin in founding a new organisation. Medium. April 2020
• How can science communicators build trust? Tangelo House website. March 2020
• What’s the deal with blue spirulina in drinks? Medium. February 2020
• Activated charcoal drinks: A hospital-grade detox at your convenience? Medium. February 2020
• Lucky 13! Science communication networks around the world. Tangelo House website. February 2020
• Exactly who or what is a ‘target audience’? Tangelo House website. February 2020
• What is evidence? Tangelo House website. January 2020
• A new year, a new you? Tangelo House website. January 2020
• The Big Idea: How the GAPS project was born & what it means for the future. The Lullaby Trust website. 2017
• A new strategy for people with MS in Europe. Punch Consulting website. June 2014
• New Year, New Career? Is a move to the charity sector really for you? Punch Consulting website. January 2014
• Ding Dong - a carol for today’s NHS. Punch Consulting website. December 2013 
• When was the golden era of the NHS or are we still experimenting with it? Punch Consulting website. October 2013
• Report by Cambridge consultancy gets the media buzzing for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cambridge Network website. Punch Consulting website. October 2013
• Starting a charity? Remember it’s a business, not just a place to occupy ‘knitting ladies’!  Punch Consulting website. September 2013
• Blue Shoes of Happiness. Dowsing for Sound website. July 2013 
• What is the point of patient records?!  Seriously, what is the point? Punch Consulting website. May 2013
• Measles outbreak: what role has the media played over the years? Punch Consulting website. April 2013
• Is the term ‘silent killer’ helpful? Punch Consulting website. January 2013  
• List of health awareness dates for 2013. Punch Consulting. January 2013
• Policy development in campaigning organisations:  What is policy?  And what exactly is an evidence base? Punch Consulting website. December 2012
• Comorbidities: addressing the challenging reality of patient needs. Punch Consulting website. July 2012
• Joining Dowsing. Dowsing for Sound website. April 2012 
• Engaging with the media and the role of media training. Punch Consulting website. March 2012
• What are the most important questions in health policy? Punch Consulting website. March 2012

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