When science hits the news agenda, it’s our job to pass on to journalists as much accurate information as we can, as quickly as possible. In order to do this we send out quotes from experts and statistical analyses of scientific studies, in addition to running regular press briefings on the latest hot topics. Find our most recent Roundups and Rapid Reactions, briefings and ‘Before the Headlines’ analyses below, or use the icons on the right.
As well as working with experienced specialist reporters, we also provide support to new reporters, editors and generalists through a series of publications, including guidelines on science and health reporting, and formerly by working with the National Coordinator for Science Training for Journalists (with resources now hosted by the Royal Statistical Society).
see publications for journalists
Need an expert to interview? The SMC’s database is not quite like any other. Those on it are selected not just for their proven expertise, but also for their willingness and ability to engage with the media when their area of work hits the headlines. The quality of our experts is important to us. The SMC recruits scientists, engineers and others who work for respected institutions, publish in peer-reviewed journals and have a track record of quality research in their specialist field.
The SMC was established to provide assistance to the national news media when covering controversial science stories or breaking news. As such the SMC’s priority remains to support new reporters at UK national news media outlets. We prioritise working with science, health and environment specialists on controversial news pieces, but also provide support for journalists pursuing original and long-form pieces by advising on the best experts to approach and helping to set up visits to institutions.
You can get in touch with using the details below. Please be aware though, if your enquiry does not fit our remit we may not be able to help or may refer you on to external scientific institutions.
t: +44 (0)20 7611 8300
Following an announcement made at the Downing Street press conference that the new UK variant, B.1.1.7, may be associated with … read more
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released the latest data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey, and the government have released the … read more
A study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggests being fat linked with worse heart health, even in … read more
Eli Lilly have published a press release today stating that their neutralizing antibody bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555) prevented COVID-19 in US nursing … read more
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at immunisation, asymptomatic infection, herd immunity and the new variants of COVID-19. … read more
One of the questions we are all interested in now is WHEN the current programme of vaccinating those most at … read more
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, looks at viral load, how infectious an individual is, and detection by lateral … read more
This briefing covered the latest interim data from the largest community coronavirus testing programme, REACT. This batch of data is … read more
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, reports on the latest data from the REACT-1 study on COVID-19 spread across … read more
A trial in Brazil published in the BMJ suggests adding the arthritis drug tocilizumab to standard care for patients in … read more
A modelling study published in the Lancet Public Health looks the effectiveness of a ‘test to release’ strategy for contacts … read more
A comment from Prof Sir David Spiegelhalter on the latest reported COVID-19 daily deaths, including the 1,038 deaths recorded on … read more
A study published in Nature looks at cognitive decline in mice when treated with a drug that reduces inflammation and … read more
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, suggests that the South African variant of SARS-CoV-2, 501Y.V2, escapes neutralisation from antibodies … read more
A preprint, an unpublished non-peer reviewed study, suggests the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine might be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variant found in … read more
There have been media reports of results from a serological study conducted at Israel’s Sheba Medical Centre suggesting Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine … read more
The number of deaths reported today within 28 days of a positive COVID-19 test has reached 1,610. Dr Michael … read more
The second report on progress from the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response has been released. Dr Gail … read more
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released data from their COVID-19 Infection Survey on antibodies for January 2021. Prof … read more
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) have released provisional counts of the number of deaths registered in England and Wales in the … read more