Dr Soph Milbourne
@sophtalksscience.bsky.social
Science communicator, content creator & trainer with a PhD in stem cell bio 🧬 | Sometimes known as ✨️ Soph talks science ✨️ | 🌈 she/her
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Science journalists often learn the tricks of the trade by trial and error. But we firmly believe the basics of covering science, and covering it well, can also be taught. So, we’ve rounded up years of insights from The Open Notebook into an easy-to-reference sample course syllabus. And it’s free! 🧪
Presenting Our First Sample Course Syllabus: Introduction to Science Writing - The Open Notebook
We're excited to announce a new resource for journalism teachers, students, and professionals. Whether you’re officially enrolled or a student at heart, this free resource rounds up years of insights ...
www.theopennotebook.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Science journalists often learn the tricks of the trade by trial and error. But we firmly believe the basics of covering science, and covering it well, can also be taught. So, we’ve rounded up years of insights from The Open Notebook into an easy-to-reference sample course syllabus. And it’s free! 🧪
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Join our online workshop, 'A creative approach to science communication' presented by Anatolii Kozlov @anatoliikozlov.bsky.social.
🗓️Wednesday 10 September, 14:00-15:30 BST (UTC+1)
Sign up here⤵️
thenode.biologists.com/a-creative-a...
#scicomm
🗓️Wednesday 10 September, 14:00-15:30 BST (UTC+1)
Sign up here⤵️
thenode.biologists.com/a-creative-a...
#scicomm
A Creative Approach to Science Communication - A Workshop by Anatolii Kozlov - the Node
10 September 2025, 14.00-15:30 BST From the nitty-gritty aspects of research to the practice of science communication activities, creativity is an
thenode.biologists.com
August 19, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Join our online workshop, 'A creative approach to science communication' presented by Anatolii Kozlov @anatoliikozlov.bsky.social.
🗓️Wednesday 10 September, 14:00-15:30 BST (UTC+1)
Sign up here⤵️
thenode.biologists.com/a-creative-a...
#scicomm
🗓️Wednesday 10 September, 14:00-15:30 BST (UTC+1)
Sign up here⤵️
thenode.biologists.com/a-creative-a...
#scicomm
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
New #ScienceAdvances research finds that mitochondrial DNA in human oocytes do not accumulate age-related mutations.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/3HswrWL
Learn more: https://scim.ag/3HswrWL
August 19, 2025 at 5:14 PM
New #ScienceAdvances research finds that mitochondrial DNA in human oocytes do not accumulate age-related mutations.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/3HswrWL
Learn more: https://scim.ag/3HswrWL
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
🍼 Breast milk trains baby immunity
In mice, antibodies in milk during the first week of life taught the gut’s immune system to stay calm with food and microbes, lowering later disease risk.
🔗 doi.org/10.1126/scie...
#SciComm #Immunity 🧪
In mice, antibodies in milk during the first week of life taught the gut’s immune system to stay calm with food and microbes, lowering later disease risk.
🔗 doi.org/10.1126/scie...
#SciComm #Immunity 🧪
Breast milk IgG engages the mouse neonatal immune system to instruct responses to gut antigens
Maternal antibodies fundamentally regulate gut immunity in the developing infant, yet the mechanisms underlying this process remain elusive. We found that maternal immunoglobulin G (IgG), ingested in ...
doi.org
August 19, 2025 at 9:04 PM
🍼 Breast milk trains baby immunity
In mice, antibodies in milk during the first week of life taught the gut’s immune system to stay calm with food and microbes, lowering later disease risk.
🔗 doi.org/10.1126/scie...
#SciComm #Immunity 🧪
In mice, antibodies in milk during the first week of life taught the gut’s immune system to stay calm with food and microbes, lowering later disease risk.
🔗 doi.org/10.1126/scie...
#SciComm #Immunity 🧪
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
A special issue on #WomensHealth in #ScienceAdvances highlights a growing wave of research focusing on women’s unique biological and psychological experiences.
Learn more: scim.ag/3R59fPe (THREAD 🧵)
Learn more: scim.ag/3R59fPe (THREAD 🧵)
March 11, 2025 at 7:46 PM
A special issue on #WomensHealth in #ScienceAdvances highlights a growing wave of research focusing on women’s unique biological and psychological experiences.
Learn more: scim.ag/3R59fPe (THREAD 🧵)
Learn more: scim.ag/3R59fPe (THREAD 🧵)
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
“Why do I have to put my face in my TikTok/Instagram videos?”
Here’s why 👇
Here’s why 👇
February 24, 2025 at 10:29 AM
“Why do I have to put my face in my TikTok/Instagram videos?”
Here’s why 👇
Here’s why 👇
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Major research funding cuts in the US are also affecting popular science YouTube channels, which relied on the small segment of funding budgets that were set aside for outreach. (Well, "small" for the funders, but a big part of income for YouTube channels) #scicomm www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQjF...
Your Favorite YouTube Channels Might Not Survive This
YouTube video by MinuteEarth
www.youtube.com
February 24, 2025 at 11:11 AM
Major research funding cuts in the US are also affecting popular science YouTube channels, which relied on the small segment of funding budgets that were set aside for outreach. (Well, "small" for the funders, but a big part of income for YouTube channels) #scicomm www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQjF...
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
🧬 In-womb cure for genetic disease
A baby treated before birth for severe spinal muscular atrophy shows no symptoms at nearly 3 years old.
This is a huge milestone for genetic medicine.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#GeneTherapy #MedicalBreakthrough #SciComm 🧪
A baby treated before birth for severe spinal muscular atrophy shows no symptoms at nearly 3 years old.
This is a huge milestone for genetic medicine.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#GeneTherapy #MedicalBreakthrough #SciComm 🧪
Rare genetic disorder treated in womb for the first time
The child, who is now almost three years old, shows no signs of the often fatal motor neuron disease.
www.nature.com
February 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
🧬 In-womb cure for genetic disease
A baby treated before birth for severe spinal muscular atrophy shows no symptoms at nearly 3 years old.
This is a huge milestone for genetic medicine.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#GeneTherapy #MedicalBreakthrough #SciComm 🧪
A baby treated before birth for severe spinal muscular atrophy shows no symptoms at nearly 3 years old.
This is a huge milestone for genetic medicine.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/d41...
#GeneTherapy #MedicalBreakthrough #SciComm 🧪
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Scientists + science journalists 🧪📝📰
Live Science's health desk is always open to pitches! We publish news and evergreen stories for the lay public that unpack the latest medical breakthroughs and mysteries of how the human body works.
Have a story idea? Email:
nlanese (at) livescience (dot) com
Live Science's health desk is always open to pitches! We publish news and evergreen stories for the lay public that unpack the latest medical breakthroughs and mysteries of how the human body works.
Have a story idea? Email:
nlanese (at) livescience (dot) com
December 4, 2024 at 2:17 AM
Scientists + science journalists 🧪📝📰
Live Science's health desk is always open to pitches! We publish news and evergreen stories for the lay public that unpack the latest medical breakthroughs and mysteries of how the human body works.
Have a story idea? Email:
nlanese (at) livescience (dot) com
Live Science's health desk is always open to pitches! We publish news and evergreen stories for the lay public that unpack the latest medical breakthroughs and mysteries of how the human body works.
Have a story idea? Email:
nlanese (at) livescience (dot) com
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
I've just added three new workshops to the Storyology website:
- Advanced Storytelling
- Podcasting
- Personal Branding
Read more here:
www.storyology.co.uk/workshops
- Advanced Storytelling
- Podcasting
- Personal Branding
Read more here:
www.storyology.co.uk/workshops
All Workshops — Storyology
Communications training from Dr Anna Ploszajski on storytelling, presentations and writing skills for university researchers, scientists, engineers and techy people, delivered online or in-person.
www.storyology.co.uk
February 18, 2025 at 10:08 AM
I've just added three new workshops to the Storyology website:
- Advanced Storytelling
- Podcasting
- Personal Branding
Read more here:
www.storyology.co.uk/workshops
- Advanced Storytelling
- Podcasting
- Personal Branding
Read more here:
www.storyology.co.uk/workshops
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Join RDRN so you’ll also have the opportunity to include patient groups into your research, building impactful studies enriched with insights from lived experience, ensuring your work is more ethical, responsive, and grounded in real-world needs
#RareDisease #RareDiseaseResearch
#RareDisease #RareDiseaseResearch
February 11, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Join RDRN so you’ll also have the opportunity to include patient groups into your research, building impactful studies enriched with insights from lived experience, ensuring your work is more ethical, responsive, and grounded in real-world needs
#RareDisease #RareDiseaseResearch
#RareDisease #RareDiseaseResearch
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Attention scientists, engineers, researchers and techy people 📣
I've just released a FREE online course that will help you write quicker and present better using tools from the world of storytelling.
Get it here:
www.storyology.co.uk/storytelling...
I've just released a FREE online course that will help you write quicker and present better using tools from the world of storytelling.
Get it here:
www.storyology.co.uk/storytelling...
Storytelling Foundations — Storyology
A free 30-minute online course for academic and industrial researchers, engineers and techy people. Developed by Dr Anna Ploszajski, Storytelling Foundations is a practical, creative and efficient cou...
www.storyology.co.uk
January 27, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Attention scientists, engineers, researchers and techy people 📣
I've just released a FREE online course that will help you write quicker and present better using tools from the world of storytelling.
Get it here:
www.storyology.co.uk/storytelling...
I've just released a FREE online course that will help you write quicker and present better using tools from the world of storytelling.
Get it here:
www.storyology.co.uk/storytelling...
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Scientists often ask me how you can get into science writing. This is the kind of thing you should be doing. Take advantage of opportunities like the one below (thread has more info) that ask for your specific scientist POV to get popular science writing experience as an academic. #scicomm
Hello—I am looking for first person essays by scientists and doctors that are relevant to the news to run in Slate. Pitches and submissions: shannon.palus@slate.com
February 7, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Scientists often ask me how you can get into science writing. This is the kind of thing you should be doing. Take advantage of opportunities like the one below (thread has more info) that ask for your specific scientist POV to get popular science writing experience as an academic. #scicomm
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Hello lovely Bluesky 👋 please help me find people who would enjoy my free online course, 'Storytelling Foundations'.
Particularly #STEM #PhD students, but also #research and #marketing teams in #tech, #science and #engineering industries.
It's 25 vids in 30mins and my hair looks great throughout
Particularly #STEM #PhD students, but also #research and #marketing teams in #tech, #science and #engineering industries.
It's 25 vids in 30mins and my hair looks great throughout
Attention scientists, engineers, researchers and techy people 📣
I've just released a FREE online course that will help you write quicker and present better using tools from the world of storytelling.
Get it here:
www.storyology.co.uk/storytelling...
I've just released a FREE online course that will help you write quicker and present better using tools from the world of storytelling.
Get it here:
www.storyology.co.uk/storytelling...
Storytelling Foundations — Storyology
A free 30-minute online course for academic and industrial researchers, engineers and techy people. Developed by Dr Anna Ploszajski, Storytelling Foundations is a practical, creative and efficient cou...
www.storyology.co.uk
January 29, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Hello lovely Bluesky 👋 please help me find people who would enjoy my free online course, 'Storytelling Foundations'.
Particularly #STEM #PhD students, but also #research and #marketing teams in #tech, #science and #engineering industries.
It's 25 vids in 30mins and my hair looks great throughout
Particularly #STEM #PhD students, but also #research and #marketing teams in #tech, #science and #engineering industries.
It's 25 vids in 30mins and my hair looks great throughout
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Interesting in Science Communication?
Don’t miss this on 6th of March.
I’m teaming up with @newscientist.bsky.social to explore effective #SciComm & share how you can be part of the HUGE New Scientist event in Oct which last year attracted over 26k people www.newscientist.com/science-even...
Don’t miss this on 6th of March.
I’m teaming up with @newscientist.bsky.social to explore effective #SciComm & share how you can be part of the HUGE New Scientist event in Oct which last year attracted over 26k people www.newscientist.com/science-even...
January 27, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Interesting in Science Communication?
Don’t miss this on 6th of March.
I’m teaming up with @newscientist.bsky.social to explore effective #SciComm & share how you can be part of the HUGE New Scientist event in Oct which last year attracted over 26k people www.newscientist.com/science-even...
Don’t miss this on 6th of March.
I’m teaming up with @newscientist.bsky.social to explore effective #SciComm & share how you can be part of the HUGE New Scientist event in Oct which last year attracted over 26k people www.newscientist.com/science-even...
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
“What can I do to break into science communications?”
I get asked this question almost weekly by PhDs who reach out for career chats about #AltAc jobs. They want to know, “What can I do to stand out? What do you look for?” 🧵
I get asked this question almost weekly by PhDs who reach out for career chats about #AltAc jobs. They want to know, “What can I do to stand out? What do you look for?” 🧵
January 27, 2025 at 5:47 PM
“What can I do to break into science communications?”
I get asked this question almost weekly by PhDs who reach out for career chats about #AltAc jobs. They want to know, “What can I do to stand out? What do you look for?” 🧵
I get asked this question almost weekly by PhDs who reach out for career chats about #AltAc jobs. They want to know, “What can I do to stand out? What do you look for?” 🧵
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
This is well worth checking out for academic researchers who want to get better at communicating their science 👇
Attention scientists, engineers, researchers and techy people 📣
I've just released a FREE online course that will help you write quicker and present better using tools from the world of storytelling.
Get it here:
www.storyology.co.uk/storytelling...
I've just released a FREE online course that will help you write quicker and present better using tools from the world of storytelling.
Get it here:
www.storyology.co.uk/storytelling...
Storytelling Foundations — Storyology
A free 30-minute online course for academic and industrial researchers, engineers and techy people. Developed by Dr Anna Ploszajski, Storytelling Foundations is a practical, creative and efficient cou...
www.storyology.co.uk
January 27, 2025 at 6:26 PM
This is well worth checking out for academic researchers who want to get better at communicating their science 👇
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Personally, I love it here 🦋 - and for science 🧪 its wonderful!
And its also increasingly getting better & better for other diverse and interesting random posts (non-science) as more and more join - lets hope the overall engagement and positivity remains!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
And its also increasingly getting better & better for other diverse and interesting random posts (non-science) as more and more join - lets hope the overall engagement and positivity remains!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Bluesky’s science takeover: 70% of Nature poll respondents use platform
Roughly 6,000 readers answered our poll, with many declaring that Bluesky was nicer, kinder and less antagonistic to science than X.
www.nature.com
January 24, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Personally, I love it here 🦋 - and for science 🧪 its wonderful!
And its also increasingly getting better & better for other diverse and interesting random posts (non-science) as more and more join - lets hope the overall engagement and positivity remains!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
And its also increasingly getting better & better for other diverse and interesting random posts (non-science) as more and more join - lets hope the overall engagement and positivity remains!
www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
If you are a scientist (including graduate students) or professional science communicator who is at least 18 years old and are using Bluesky for any kind of professional purposes, please consider taking our survey.
Link:
umiami.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Please help share. 🧪🌎 #SciComm
Link:
umiami.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Please help share. 🧪🌎 #SciComm
December 30, 2024 at 3:04 PM
If you are a scientist (including graduate students) or professional science communicator who is at least 18 years old and are using Bluesky for any kind of professional purposes, please consider taking our survey.
Link:
umiami.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Please help share. 🧪🌎 #SciComm
Link:
umiami.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...
Please help share. 🧪🌎 #SciComm
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
🩸 World's First Blood Test for Endometriosis? 🌸
Researchers have validated 10 plasma protein biomarkers for diagnosing endometriosis, paving the way for a non-invasive blood test
This is a potential game-changer for early detection
🔗 academic.oup.com/humrep/advan...
#SciComm #Endometriosis 🧪
Researchers have validated 10 plasma protein biomarkers for diagnosing endometriosis, paving the way for a non-invasive blood test
This is a potential game-changer for early detection
🔗 academic.oup.com/humrep/advan...
#SciComm #Endometriosis 🧪
Identification of plasma protein biomarkers for endometriosis and the development of statistical models for disease diagnosis
AbstractSTUDY QUESTION. Can a panel of plasma protein biomarkers be identified to accurately and specifically diagnose endometriosis?SUMMARY ANSWER. A nove
academic.oup.com
January 11, 2025 at 9:23 AM
🩸 World's First Blood Test for Endometriosis? 🌸
Researchers have validated 10 plasma protein biomarkers for diagnosing endometriosis, paving the way for a non-invasive blood test
This is a potential game-changer for early detection
🔗 academic.oup.com/humrep/advan...
#SciComm #Endometriosis 🧪
Researchers have validated 10 plasma protein biomarkers for diagnosing endometriosis, paving the way for a non-invasive blood test
This is a potential game-changer for early detection
🔗 academic.oup.com/humrep/advan...
#SciComm #Endometriosis 🧪
It was so fun to work with Claudia and my research colleagues to bring some of their research to life with these comics! Hopefully many more to follow ✨️🤞🏻
This year I wrote and illustrated three science comics for the MRC Toxicology Unit in Cambridge: they are available to read for free at www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk/public-engag...
#SciArt 🐡
#SciArt 🐡
December 17, 2024 at 7:11 PM
It was so fun to work with Claudia and my research colleagues to bring some of their research to life with these comics! Hopefully many more to follow ✨️🤞🏻
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Having a color-blind colleague is a good reminder that we need to be more careful when designing figures for scientific publication 🧪
My lab has found this page especially useful for selecting color palettes, used in combination with different symbols: thenode.biologists.com/data-visuali...
My lab has found this page especially useful for selecting color palettes, used in combination with different symbols: thenode.biologists.com/data-visuali...
Color blind friendly palettes for data visualizations with categories
A discussion of color blind friendly palettes for labeling unique catergories in data visualization.
thenode.biologists.com
December 8, 2024 at 9:48 PM
Having a color-blind colleague is a good reminder that we need to be more careful when designing figures for scientific publication 🧪
My lab has found this page especially useful for selecting color palettes, used in combination with different symbols: thenode.biologists.com/data-visuali...
My lab has found this page especially useful for selecting color palettes, used in combination with different symbols: thenode.biologists.com/data-visuali...
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
Scientists, academics, researchers: We’re excited to share that @altmetric.com is now tracking mentions of your research on Bluesky! 🧪
There are already many articles for which there is more attention on Bluesky than on other comparable micro-blogging sites, meaning the academic community and the general public have clearly adopted Bluesky as one of its core places to disseminate and discuss new research.
A Place of Joy.
A Place of Joy.
December 3, 2024 at 2:10 PM
Scientists, academics, researchers: We’re excited to share that @altmetric.com is now tracking mentions of your research on Bluesky! 🧪
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
📣 Calling all poets and scientists! 🧪✍️
Brilliant Poetry – Inaugural Reading: experience how poetry brings science to life, uniting creativity and discovery across borders.
📅 Thursday, 30 January 2025
⏰ 2:00–2:45 PM GMT
📍 Online
💲 Free
🔗 bit.ly/brilliantpoe...
#Poetry 🧪 #SciComm #AcademicSky 🍎
Brilliant Poetry – Inaugural Reading: experience how poetry brings science to life, uniting creativity and discovery across borders.
📅 Thursday, 30 January 2025
⏰ 2:00–2:45 PM GMT
📍 Online
💲 Free
🔗 bit.ly/brilliantpoe...
#Poetry 🧪 #SciComm #AcademicSky 🍎
December 2, 2024 at 8:55 PM
📣 Calling all poets and scientists! 🧪✍️
Brilliant Poetry – Inaugural Reading: experience how poetry brings science to life, uniting creativity and discovery across borders.
📅 Thursday, 30 January 2025
⏰ 2:00–2:45 PM GMT
📍 Online
💲 Free
🔗 bit.ly/brilliantpoe...
#Poetry 🧪 #SciComm #AcademicSky 🍎
Brilliant Poetry – Inaugural Reading: experience how poetry brings science to life, uniting creativity and discovery across borders.
📅 Thursday, 30 January 2025
⏰ 2:00–2:45 PM GMT
📍 Online
💲 Free
🔗 bit.ly/brilliantpoe...
#Poetry 🧪 #SciComm #AcademicSky 🍎
Reposted by Dr Soph Milbourne
I was deeply disappointed by the lack of nature/science/climate/enviro on many major end-of-year book lists—so I decided to make my own!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
November 27, 2024 at 7:08 PM
I was deeply disappointed by the lack of nature/science/climate/enviro on many major end-of-year book lists—so I decided to make my own!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!
Introducing: ✨🎁📚 The 2024 Holiday Gift Guide to Nature & Science Books ✨🎁📚
Please share: Let's make this go viral in time for Black Friday / holiday shopping!