Alexis Willett
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Other writing

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

I run a consultancy business providing science communication and health policy research support (If you want to know more about that, click here). I've covered everything from cancer, to neurology, to heart health, to infant health, to nutrition and archaeological science. (A list of my eclectic range of publications is at the bottom of this page.) I’ve also done other writing, such as for blogs, press releases, unpublished health policy reports and consultation responses, and editing papers for multidisciplinary projects.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 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! 
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'Everyone's a poet'

I'm always devising new popular science book ideas but in addition, to mix things up from my usual health science writing, I'm really enjoying writing a children's book and would, ultimately, love to write more fiction.

I had the writing bug from a young age and was delighted to recently rediscover an old notebook from my childhood containing some poems I wrote when I was just 11. I think you'll agree that I was... ahem... a writing genius even at that young age (or perhaps not) ...

The first poem (see below), entitled 'Mother Nature', appears to be an uplifting celebration of Spring, whereas the second, 'A Dead Man's Life', is rather more macabre - I must have been having an off-day!
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Publications

Corporate, Campaign & Strategy Reports
  • 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
 
Research 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 (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
  • Willett A. The Human Super Structure: an essay. Nutrition Bulletin. 2004; 29(1):62-63
  • 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 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 (abstract)
  • 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 (abstract)
 
Clinical Guidelines
  • Rainsbury R. & Willett A. (eds). Oncoplastic Breast Reconstruction: Guidelines for Best Practice. 2012
  • Willett AM. Michell MJ. & Lee MJR. (eds). Best Practice Diagnostic Guidelines for Patients Presenting with Breast Symptoms. 2010
 
Booklets, Leaflets & Easy-Read Cards
  • Safer Sleep for Babies: a guide for parents. The Lullaby Trust. 2013
  • Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: a guide for professionals. The Lullaby Trust. 2013
  • Safer Sleep for Babies. (Easy-read) The Lullaby Trust. 2013
  • Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge. 2011.
 
Website Content
  • The Big Idea: How the GAPS project was born and what it means for the future. The Lullaby Trust. 2017
  • Living with a terminal illness. Marie Curie. 2014
  • Our Science & Science Storm. Breast Cancer Campaign. 2013
  • Dying Matters. 2013
  • Behaviour and Health Research Unit, University of Cambridge. 2010-2011
  • Punch Consulting. 2010-present

Specialist Archaeology Reports
  • Willett AM. ‘Biological evidence: Animal bone’, in S. Anderson, A Medieval Moated Site at Cedars Field, Stowmarket, Suffolk, East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No. 15. 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 No 15. 2004; 15: 25
  • Willett AM. ‘Environmental Evidence: Animal Bone’, in E. Bales, A Roman Maltings at Beck Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk: Archaeological Investigations, East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No. 20. 2004; 20: 45-49
  • Tester C. & Willett AM. ‘Prehistoric Pottery’, in E. Bales, A Roman Maltings at Beck Row, Mildenhall, Suffolk: Archaeological Investigations, East Anglian Archaeology Occasional Paper No. 20. 2004; 20: 33-42
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  • My Story
  • The Brain Book
  • Book Number 2
  • Other Writing
  • Get in touch