Jo Filshie Browning - Scientifically speaking : how to speak about your research with confidence and clarity

Praise for Scientifically Speaking

This little book is a must-read for anyone who is passionate about their research; who wants to communicate complex information effectively; who cares about securing grant funding or investment, or who cares about advancing their research career. That is to say it is essential reading for everyone involved in science or scientific communication, including researchers, company executives, doctors and policy makers. In a world where there is increasing competition for an audiences attention, this book provides a short, easy-to-read, practical guide to ensuring your messages win hearts and minds. Written from a place of empathy for those who are reticent about public speaking and engagement, but with plenty to offer veterans too, it practises exactly what it preaches: it is engaging, direct and highly effective. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Vivek Muthu
Physician and health and life sciences consultant
Former Managing Director, Economist Intelligence Unit Healthcare

I had the great pleasure to train with Jo Filshie Browning before, and this experience has been truly transformative. In her book, Jo distills her extensive knowledge to help scientists navigate the complex landscape of scientific communication. Combined with illustrative anecdotes and real life stories, the lessons on communication theory and how proper communication can work for you are elegantly interwoven, and thus make for an easy but very informative read. I really enjoyed reading the book and highly recommend it to all scientists who want to make their science more impactful by taking the next steps communicating it effectively.

Benedikt Westphalen
MD Medical Lead Precision Oncology, University of Munich

Packed full of helpful tips and guidance, examples that resonate and statements that stick, Jo Filshie Browning has created a guide that is informative, comprehensive, easy to follow and immensely practical. If your goal is to communicate your scientific data as powerfully as possible, then Scientifically Speaking is the book for you. Jos words have such a strong call to action. I was totally inspired to get out there and connect with my audience through compelling presentations. As Jo says, science doesnt speak for itself. With the help of this book, you will certainly be able to provide it a mighty and extremely impactful voice!

Sangeeta Jethwa, MD
Research Physician
Chief Medical Officer, Elaaj Bio AG

As a physician, it has become increasingly important to not only spread scientific education by digital means and social media, but also fight the vast amount of disinformation that is being spread. In order to do this, you need the right tools and training. This is not just a textbook, but a great reference to guide you as you deepen your engagements and communication in this brave new digital world. The material is discussed in a clear, concise and practical way, that makes it perfect for the working physician who wants to form part of the digital conversation.

Gilberto Morgan MD
Medical oncologist
Director of the OncoAlert network

If you have ever felt even slightly challenged with preparations to deliver your medical or scientific message effectively, Jo Filshie Browning clears the way by providing very smart, practical and effective advice on how to address different audiences and in a variety of settings. Add to that numerous compelling anecdotes from her 25 years in high-level healthcare communication and very timely examples from the COVID-19 crisis and you have a book you literally do not want to put down. This book will teach you not only how to prepare your content in the most thorough manner, but also how to successfully train your voice, master your body language and appearance to best support your communication goals.

It is an essential read and powerful toolkit for anyone in the medical and scientific professions, and for everyone interested in communicating in the most impactful way.

Gabriele Y. Matthias
Molecular Biologist, Friedrich Miescher
Institute for Biomedical Research

As scientists we might have important ideas and research about how to better the future of humankind, but often we do not know how best to communicate our concepts so that they can be fully and easily understood. The only way to ensure that science can have impact is to narrate our science clearly and in a compelling way. This is where Jo Filshie Brownings book Scientifically Speaking has an important role to play. I know personally that principles in this book, when scientifically applied, can lead to the best possible impact. I worked with Jo on my TEDx talk and her practical and clear principles of scientific communication were extremely valuable in my preparation and the talk was a huge success and was featured on the main TED platform. I do hope others will read this and benefit from her approach.

Antonella Santuccione Chadha
Co-Founder and CEO of Womens Brain Project,
Euresearch Vice-President
Head of Stakeholders Engagement Biogen

Being a presenter and media interviewee on scientific/medical topics, Jo Filshie Brownings book rang many bells for me, while providing fresh insights and practical advice. Presentation strategies here are both ancient (Aristotles ethos pathos logos) and very modern, in this age of virtual webinars and conferences, social media echo chambers, ultra-short attention spans, science denialism and fake news. For me the top take-home message was prepare, prepare supremely for the questions after a presentation! Browning uses the classic 1995 Pill-scare to exemplify how better media planning might have reduced unintended conceptions generated by scary headlines, about doubled relative risk of thrombosis, rather than the equally valid absolute risk increasing from 1:7000 to 2:7000. This great read will minimise similar lost in translation scenarios between science fact and public understanding.

John Guillebaud
Emeritus Professor of Family Planning and Reproductive
Health, University College London

The book Scientifically Speaking by Jo Filshie Browning is a must-read for all scientists wishing to enhance the impact of their research and further their career. The author breaks down the many communication complexities providing a clear strategy and various tools and methods. This book is a go-to reference to tackle our fast-changing world of communication technologies.

Maarten Vercruysse, PhD
Principal Scientist
Roche Pharma Research & Early Development

Scientifically Speaking provides clear, fundamental guidance for scientists and physicians regarding effective audience-appropriate and media-appropriate communication of scientific and clinical findings. The book should be especially helpful for scientists and physicians who do not have access to communications professionals.

Joseph Bolen, PhD
Chief Scientific Officer
PureTech Health

First published in Great Britain by Practical Inspiration Publishing, 2021

Jo Filshie Browning, 2021

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

ISBN 9781788602785 (print)