The Science Media Centre is not restricted to reacting to the headlines, and has helped scientists to more proactively set the agenda by bringing new science or evidence to journalists. This comes from our regular briefings, which take a variety of forms and cover a wide range of topics. Many are background briefings introducing journalists to the best experts and science on controversial issues like nuclear waste, nanotechnology, emerging diseases, or animal research, for example. They may also be news briefings where the SMC works with scientists to give the national media a new story on developments within science, whether it’s a report on climate change, a paper on stem cells being published in a leading journal, or science funding cuts in the latest budget. In addition, the SMC encourages leading experts to ‘speak out’ to the media about developments they believe may pose a threat to scientific research – not something science has been renowned for.
Up to 7% of the population suffer from a rare disease, many of which are life-changing and have poor treatment … read more
Hormone replacement therapy has been a controversial treatment for the last three decades, with different studies claiming complex benefits and … read more
Prof Edzard Ernst, Emeritus Professor of Complementary Medicine, is publishing a new book: ‘Alternative Medicine: A critical assessment of 150 … read more
There was no news story or study pegged to this briefing, but it was an opportunity for journalists to hear … read more
The majority of young people in the UK use social media and there are concerns around the potential harms to … read more
A selection of authors will be present at this briefing to discuss the conclusions of the IPCC Special Report on … read more
On Thursday 18th July the Home Office published its 2018 statistics on animals used in scientific procedures. Journalists came along … read more
When children and young people feel distress about their gender identity, how are they supported? The number of referrals to … read more
There’s still a lot we don’t know about dementia, but we do know there can be both genetic and lifestyle … read more
Treatment resistant depression effects a third of those with major depressive disorder. With limited treatment options available for these people, … read more
In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that bacteria in the gut contribute to a range of processes in … read more
It’s been 10 years since the HPV vaccine was first introduced in the UK. During these years the vaccine has … read more
We often hear about how bad air pollution is for our health, and that we are failing to reach acceptable … read more
There were more wildfires in the UK during the first four months of this year than during the whole of … read more
The UK has had some success in decarbonising the electricity sector. But the gas we use for heating and cooking … read more
Experts agree that what the world eats and the way we produce food is unsustainable and has to change, particularly … read more
The association between domestic abuse and depression and anxiety is well established. However, most work in this field is conducted … read more
In September 2018, cOAlition S, an international group of research funders announced Plan S, an initiative to accelerate the transition … read more
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have identified new ways in which mitochondria, the ‘batteries’ that produce our energy, interact … read more
Traditionally cancer has been treated with aggressive win-at-all-costs strategies but does this actually work? Is it time to rethink how … read more
