From John Timbrell, Emeritus Professor of Biochemical Toxicology, Pharmacy Department, King's College London
Robert Winston relates how he had been ostracised at scientific conferences as a “populariser” (31 January, p 22). This sadly reflects not only the sometimes blinkered vision of one’s fellow scientists but also the reality of the organisation of British science in universities. I know of a well known popular-science writer who left employment at King’s College London because of lack of support and the pressure to publish research in preference to popular science books and articles.
I had to take early retirement from the same university in order to concentrate on publishing books (The Poison Paradox, Oxford University Press) as I was actively discouraged from doing this, ostensibly because of the demands of the UK’s .
And yet scientists are urged by government and others to communicate more with the public.
London, UK
