Why Plain Language Summaries?

“I believe that everyone has the right to understand unfamiliar concepts. As people become more actively engaged in their health, the desire for clinical research results will increase. The plain language summary initiative by Future Science Group is a hugely important step in meeting this need. By providing clear and accessible information to the general public, we can empower people to make informed health decisions.”

Biography

Plain language isn’t just my job; it’s my passion. My love of plain language stems from my interest in research ethics and the need for “true” informed consent when people take part in clinical research. I began my plain language mission in 2006, helping my academic colleagues write clinical research documents in clear, concise language. From there, I moved into the pharmaceutical industry, utilising my skills to improve plain language communication with clinical trial participants. But, for me, working in “pharma” wasn’t enough. I began to see plain language and patient-centricity used merely as a buzzword and a box-ticking exercise to meet regulatory requirements. So, I founded Simplifying Science, a plain language communications company that supports the NHS, academia, pharmaceutical industry, clinical research organisations, and charities to communicate scientific themes to a non-scientific audience.