About
Editing with the pen and CRISPR
Søren Hough is an American-born UK-based science communicator with in-depth experience across multiple sectors. He has worked as a freelance journalist for over ten years and has served as an editor for both online and print outlets. He has given lectures in subject areas ranging from science and history to film studies and ethics. He published his first peer-reviewed article at age 17 via Oxford University Press and has gone on to publish textbook chapters and articles across a range of disciplines. His career in biomedical research, which also began in high school and spans multiple international universities, recently culminated at the University of Cambridge where he earned a doctorate in Biochemistry.
Søren has a passion for making complex ideas easy to understand for a general audience by framing seemingly technical ideas in the context of their real-world societal impact. To this end, he has appeared on multiple podcasts to explain the finer details of biology and filmmaking. He is also an in-progress book author with several titles forthcoming, including a biography about the evolutionary biologist and labor activist, Marie Goldsmith. As of 2024, the Marie Goldsmith Project is funded in part by a British Academy/Leverhulme Trust Small Grant.
CV
Work Experience
Editor, Drug Modalities
Informa Connect Life Sciences
Jul 2024 – Present
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Editor of Tides Global, a publication covering mRNA, peptide, oligonucleotide, and genome editing therapeutics
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Conducting interviews with leading medical doctors and research scientists at institutions like Yale University
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Coordinating newsletter delivered to subscribers detailing latest stories in cutting-edge drug development
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Attending and reporting on conferences in Europe, the United States, including in-depth interviews and features
Research Assistant/Visiting Scientist
Lab of Prof Sir Steve Jackson, University of Cambridge
Feb 2018 – Present
Sample Work
"Characterizing the Role of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Subunit MAEA in DNA Repair and Replication" [Doctoral Thesis]
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Delivered research talks at universities around the world and won award for presentation to general audience
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Award-winning essay on sustainability at Churchill College, won a private audience with Baroness Brown
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Organised student journal club to help lab stay on top of literature in DNA repair field
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Unanimous choice by Biochemistry Department for Glover Award based on research merit
Editor (Various)
Science for the People
Jan 2019 – Sept 2021
Sample Work
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Commissioned articles/reviewed pitches with rapid turnaround to encourage subscriptions/fundraising
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Co-founded SftP Online for up-to-date news coverage; commissioned articles from a diverse author pool
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Chaired a panel of climate activists discussing the merits of the questionable film Planet of the Humans
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Copy edited and proofread articles for print issue using a style guide which I helped create
Head Science Writer
Desktop Genetics
Jun 2016 – Feb 2018
Sample Work
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Wrote in-depth features on AI/genome editing to bring readership up to speed with emerging technologies
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Optimised SEO and CMS, updating and maintaining website copy to ensure regular traffic and sales
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Directly managed writers/social media coordinators, mentoring new staff and facilitating intrastaff dialogue
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Established Desktop Genetics a premiere CRISPR resource for academics and industry professionals
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Headhunted/sponsored by company CBO to relocate and join Desktop Genetics in London
Other Writing Experience
Project Lead
Apr 2021 – Present
The Marie Goldsmith Project
Sample Work
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Led multiple research grant applications and won fundraising support (e.g. Lipman-Miliband Trust)
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Secured a multi-book deal with PM Press through efforts researching and translating manuscript sample
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Started project to highlight the work of a female scientist whose work has been long overlooked
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Collaborated with leading scholars from around the globe to complete background research for project
Editor
The Commoner
Nov 2020 – Present
Sample Work
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Coordinated social media presence to keep our articles live, encourage readership, and fundraise
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Conducted interviews with local artists/activists, some of which were syndicated in additional publications
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Revised articles to maintain high editorial standard, helped establish The Commoner style guide
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Oversaw transition of The Commoner from digital into print, helped with in-person promotion
Freelance Correspondent
RogerEbert.com
Feb 2014 – Present
Sample Work
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Covered London Film Festival as international correspondent, striving for a breadth of styles and genres
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Interviewed Oscar winner Douglas Trumbull, VFX coordinator on 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner
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Yearly contributor to round-up of best performances, films, and filmmaking of the year
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Provided coverage of the premiere of Life Itself, documentary about Roger Ebert
Editor-in-Chief
Movie Fail
Jan 2012 – Present
Sample Work
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Interviewed Oscar-nominated writer/directors about their films in the lead-up to awards season
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Co-hosted multiple podcast shows covering TV series like Game of Thrones and Deadwood
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Edited articles pitched by a diverse international pool of writers covering topics like racism in film
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Managed all social media, SEO and CMS for website, achieving front page status on Reddit multiple times
Film and Television Contributor
ScottFeinberg.com
Sep 2013 – Mar 2014
Sample Work
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Weekly contributor for 2013 awards season at personal site of The Hollywood Reporter awards analyst, Scott Feinberg
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Provided coverage in lead-up to Oscar and Emmy seasons for primarily industry readership
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Investigated role of emerging technologies like high frame rate in films like The Hobbit
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Explored intertextual trends between prestige television and film with an eye toward award ceremonies
Assistant Arts Editor for Film and Television/Staff Writer
The Massachusetts Daily Collegian
Jan 2013 – December 2013
Sample Work
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Worked closely with the rest of the newsroom to meet demand for wide distribution of daily print edition across Pioneer Valley
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Assigned stories, edited articles, and laid out the Arts section of The Daily Collegian (InDesign)
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Generated in-depth film journalism guide covering ethics, format, AP style, and tips for writers
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Provided film festival coverage, conducted interviews with filmmakers, reviewed films weekly
Education
PhD (Biochemistry)
University of Cambridge (2023)
Bachelor's (Microbiology)
University of Massachusetts Amherst (2014)
Certificate (Film Studies)
University of Massachusetts Amherst (2014)