As New Scientist’s foremost explanatory journalist, Lawton specializes in human health systems and environmental sustainability. His 20-year tenure has produced groundbreaking work on:
Recent accolades include 2024 Press Awards recognition for health reporting and a Royal Society-nominated book on somatic science. Lawton continues shaping public discourse through rigorous yet accessible analysis of research impacting daily life.
We’ve followed Graham Lawton’s trajectory as one of Britain’s most accessible science communicators, whose work at New Scientist bridges complex research and public understanding. With biochemistry training from Imperial College London and two decades at the forefront of science journalism, Lawton has mastered the art of transforming dense academic concepts into compelling narratives.
This 2023 investigation revolutionized public understanding of digestive health. Lawton combined fecal transplant studies from University College London with interviews from microbiome startups, revealing how gut bacteria influence mental health. His analysis of prebiotic fibers’ market growth (projected 8.7% CAGR through 2030) demonstrated science journalism’s role in consumer education.
Lawton’s 2024 deep dive into longevity nutrition became New Scientist’s top-selling issue. Tracking the FAST-CARE trial at Stanford, he explained how timed eating patterns activate cellular repair mechanisms. The article’s recipe section, developed with nutritionists, drove 240+ magazine subscriptions – 12x the average.
This exposé combined material science with investigative reporting, tracing polyester fibers from Indonesian sweatshops to Arctic ice cores. Lawton’s calculation that 35% of ocean microplastics originate from laundry (validated by Plymouth Marine Lab) spurred retailer sustainability pledges.
Lawton consistently explores gut-brain axis applications beyond probiotics. Recent coverage of psychobiotics for PTSD treatment (King’s College trials) shows appetite for neurogastroenterology stories. Pitches should emphasize human trials with clear mechanistic explanations.
While skeptical of biohacking fads, he’s highlighted validated interventions like senolytics. A successful 2023 pitch on NAD+ boosters combined mouse study data with accessible supplementation guides.
His fast fashion analysis demonstrated interest in circular production models. Current opportunities exist in textile recycling tech and mycelium-based materials with lab-proven durability metrics.
Personal experience informs Lawton’s compassionate reporting on nociplastic pain. He prioritizes research offering tangible patient benefits over purely theoretical models.
As misinformation grows, Lawton seeks stories about research integrity initiatives or AI-assisted peer review systems with real-world implementation cases.
"Lawton’s work exemplifies science journalism that educates without condescending, challenges without alienating." – 2024 UK Science Media Award Committee
