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Headshot of Soren Hough, PhD

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.

CV

Work Experience

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]

  • Delivered research talks at universities around the world and won award for presentation to general audience

  • Award-winning essay on sustainability at Churchill College, won a private audience with Baroness Brown

  • Organised student journal club to help lab stay on top of literature in DNA repair field

  • Unanimous choice by Biochemistry Department for Glover Award based on research merit

Please click here for a full list of research experience.

Editor (Various)

Science for the People

Jan 2019 – Sept 2021

Sample Work

  • Commissioned articles/reviewed pitches with rapid turnaround to encourage subscriptions/fundraising

  • Co-founded SftP Online for up-to-date news coverage; commissioned articles from a diverse author pool

  • Chaired a panel of climate activists discussing the merits of the questionable film Planet of the Humans

  • 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

  • Wrote in-depth features on AI/genome editing to bring readership up to speed with emerging technologies

  • Optimised SEO and CMS, updating and maintaining website copy to ensure regular traffic and sales

  • Directly managed writers/social media coordinators, mentoring new staff and facilitating intrastaff dialogue

  • Established Desktop Genetics a premiere CRISPR resource for academics and industry professionals

  • 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

  • Led multiple research grant applications and won fundraising support (e.g. Lipman-Miliband Trust)

  • Secured a multi-book deal with PM Press through efforts researching and translating manuscript sample

  • Started project to highlight the work of a female scientist whose work has been long overlooked

  • Collaborated with leading scholars from around the globe to complete background research for project

Editor

The Commoner

Nov 2020 – Present

Sample Work

  • Coordinated social media presence to keep our articles live, encourage readership, and fundraise

  • Conducted interviews with local artists and activists, some of which were reprinted in other publications

  • Revised articles to maintain high editorial standard, helped establish The Commoner style guide

  • Oversaw transition of The Commoner from digital into print, helped with in-person promotion

Freelance Correspondent

RogerEbert.com

Feb 2014 – Present

Sample Work

  • Covered London Film Festival as international correspondent, striving for a breadth of styles and genres

  • Interviewed Oscar winner Douglas Trumbull, VFX coordinator on 2001: A Space Odyssey and Blade Runner

  • Yearly contributor to round-up of best performances, films, and filmmaking of the year

  • Provided coverage of the premiere of Life Itself, documentary about Roger Ebert

Editor-in-Chief

Movie Fail

Jan 2012 – Present

Sample Work

  • Interviewed Oscar-nominated writer/directors about their films in the lead-up to awards season

  • Co-hosted multiple podcast shows covering TV series like Game of Thrones and Deadwood

  • Edited articles pitched by a diverse international pool of writers covering topics like racism in film

  • 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

  • Weekly contributor for 2013 awards season at personal site of The Hollywood Reporter awards analyst, Scott Feinberg

  • Provided coverage in lead-up to Oscar and Emmy seasons for primarily industry readership

  • Investigated role of emerging technologies like high frame rate in films like The Hobbit

  • 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

  • Worked closely with the rest of the newsroom to meet demand for wide distribution of daily print edition across Pioneer Valley

  • Assigned stories, edited articles, and laid out the Arts section of The Daily Collegian (InDesign)

  • Generated in-depth film journalism guide covering ethics, format, AP style, and tips for writers

  • 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)

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