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, policy support, stakeholder engagement, and training. 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 I also produce other writing, such as press releases and comments, unpublished health policy reports, consultation responses and newsletters, and edit papers for multidisciplinary projects.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 Science Writing Award and Daily Telegraph Science Writing Competition, 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

Books

• Willett A. & Philpott C. Science Communication Made Easy - 50 practical tips for success. 2020. I.P.
• Philpott C. & Willett A. Public Engagement Made Easy - 35 practical tips for success. 2020. I.P. 
• Willett A. Drinkology: The Science of What We Drink and What It Does to Us, From Milks to Martinis. 2019. Robinson (Little, Brown)
  • Chinese translation published 2022
  • (Japanese translation forthcoming)
• Willett A. & Barnett J. How Much Brain Do We Really Need? 2017. Robinson (Little, Brown)
  • Italian translation published 2018
  • Russian translation published 2019
  • Chinese translation published 2020
  • Romanian translation published 2021
  • Arabic translation published 2022

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Press articles

• Willett Alexis. Finding your perfect match: The science of archaeological dating. Front Vision. November 2021
• Willett Alexis. Understanding vitamins: Getting the balance right. Front Vision. March 2021
• 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

• Advancing African Neuroscience. Wellcome and the African Neuroscience Community. 2022
• The Digital Futures Lab: Transforming Mental Health By Unlocking the Power of Clinical Data. Ieso Digital Health. 2021
• 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. Department of Health. 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

• Punch Consulting. 2010-present (Design & content)
• Tangelo House. 2019-2021 (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)

Blogs

• 5 quick tips to transform your science communication. Medium. February 2021
• How accessible are your communications? (Mini blog). Tangelo House. February 2021
• Are there alternative viewpoints? (Mini blog). Tangelo House. February 2021
• Does your storytelling match your communication channel? (Mini blog). Tangelo House. February 2021
• Do you really understand the science? (Mini blog). Tangelo House. February 2021
• Are you clear on what you want to achieve? (Mini blog). Tangelo House. February 2021
• What's the future for science communication? Medium. November 2020
• 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. 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. 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. February 2020
• Exactly who or what is a ‘target audience’? Tangelo House. February 2020
• What is evidence? Tangelo House. January 2020
• A new year, a new you? Tangelo House. January 2020
• The Big Idea: How the GAPS project was born & what it means for the future. The Lullaby Trust. 2017
• A new strategy for people with MS in Europe. Punch Consulting. June 2014
• New Year, New Career? Is a move to the charity sector really for you? Punch Consulting. January 2014
• Ding Dong - a carol for today’s NHS. Punch Consulting. December 2013 
• When was the golden era of the NHS or are we still experimenting with it? Punch Consulting. October 2013
• Report by Cambridge consultancy gets the media buzzing for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cambridge Network. October 2013
• Starting a charity? Remember it’s a business, not just a place to occupy ‘knitting ladies’!  Punch Consulting. September 2013
• Blue Shoes of Happiness. Dowsing for Sound. July 2013 
• What is the point of patient records?!  Seriously, what is the point? Punch Consulting. May 2013
• Measles outbreak: what role has the media played over the years? Punch Consulting. April 2013
• Is the term ‘silent killer’ helpful? Punch Consulting. 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. December 2012
• Comorbidities: addressing the challenging reality of patient needs. Punch Consulting. July 2012
• Joining Dowsing. Dowsing for Sound. April 2012 
• Making the right impact with your questionnaires. Punch Consulting. April 2012
• Engaging with the media and the role of media training. Punch Consulting. March 2012
• What are the most important questions in health policy? Punch Consulting. March 2012

Academic papers

• Donald KA, Maina M, Patel N, Nguemeni C, Mohammed W, Abubakar A, Brown M, Stoyanova R, Welchman A, Walker N,  Willett A, Kariuki SM, Figaji A, Stein DJ, Ihunwo AO, Daniels W, Newton CR. Science Forum: What is next in African neuroscience? eLife. Jun 2022. 11:e80488
• 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