Layal Liverpool

Science journalist

About Layal

Layal Liverpool

Layal Liverpool is a science journalist and author based in Berlin, Germany. Her debut book Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Ill is out now.

Layal's journalism has spanned diverse science topics, including technology, physics, the environment and health, with a particular focus on inequalities in science, health and medicine. Her writing has appeared in Nature, New Scientist, WIRED, the Guardian, and elsewhere, and she has worked on staff as a reporter for both Nature and New Scientist.

Before moving into journalism, Layal worked as a biomedical researcher at University College London and the University of Oxford in the UK. She has a PhD in virology and immunology from the University of Oxford.

Book

Layal's debut book Systemic is an investigation of the shocking and insidious ways in which racism harms health - and an exploration of how we can tackle the problem to create a fairer and healthier world. It is out now.


Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Ill
Bloomsbury Publishing, UK
6 June 2024 Systemic UK
Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Sick
Astra House Publishing, US
18 June 2024 Systemic US
Hoe racisme ons ziek maakt: over gezondheid en medische ongelijkheid
Atlas Contact, NL
24 September 2024 Systemic NL
Racism kills: Wie systemischer Rassismus der Gesundheit schadet und was wir dagegen tun können
Aufbau Verlag, DE
15 October 2024 Systemic DE

Praise for Systemic

“A bracing, informative read that illuminates the grim social reality of racism and its effects” — The Guardian

“Unearths the shocking facts about health threats to people of colour” — The Observer

“Outstanding” — Nature

“A groundbreaking, brilliantly argued book that debunks the myth that illness is the great equaliser” — Siddhartha Mukherjee, bestselling author of The Emperor of All Maladies, The Gene and The Song of the Cell

“Packed with compelling stories and fascinating details which are harnessed to make an impassioned argument for a better world” — Chris van Tulleken, bestselling author of Ultra-Processed People

“A powerful examination on racism in healthcare” Annabel Sowemimo, author of Divided

“A prescription that everyone needs” — Raj Patel, co-author of Inflamed

“Lays bare the many historical and cultural barriers to medical justice” — Jenny Mitchell, author of Map of a Plantation

“A damning investigation” — Publishers Weekly

“A powerful argument for a more equitable approach to health care” — Kirkus Reviews

“Traces the historical legacy of racial inequities in medicine and reveals disturbing trends that still persist in medical education and research” — Live Science

“Captivating” — Sadé Magazine

Selected articles

Based on her writing, Layal was shortlisted for a 2021 British Journalism Award, three Medical Journalists' Association Awards in 2021 and 2022, and a 2021 Association of British Science Writers Award.

Image credit: Observer Design

Is systemic racism in medicine putting Black people’s lives at risk?
The Observer

Image credit: Simone Rotella

Race is a social construct, but racism can cause real biological harm
New Scientist

Image credit: PA images/Alamy

Fund research on racism's health impacts, says European group
Nature

Image credit: Getty Images/WIRED

Why coronavirus hit people from BAME communities so hard
WIRED

Image credit: Ruby Fressen

Genomic medicine is deeply biased towards white people
New Scientist

Image credit: Jose Luis Pelaez Inc via Getty Images

'As beautiful as pregnancy sounds, it also scares me': Author Layal Liverpool on the reality of racism in reproductive health care
Live Science

Image credit: Albuquerque Journal via ZUMA/Alamy

‘Abortion tests’ developed in Poland spark concern
Nature

Image credit: Nature

Researchers from global south under-represented in development research
Nature

Image credit: Jean-Francois Badias/AP via Alamy

These veteran female activists are fighting a pivotal climate case with science
Nature

Image credit: Action Press/Shutterstock

Climate change made extreme floods in Germany and Belgium more likely
New Scientist

Image credit: Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty

'The disease will be neglected': scientists react to the WHO ending mpox emergency
Nature

Image credit: CAROL VALADE/AFP via Getty Images

Ebola may persist in the body for years before sparking new outbreaks
New Scientist

Media appearances

Layal has spoken about science and her writing on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Kent and talkRADIO, as well as on VICE and New Scientist podcasts. She has also frequently appeared on discussion panels and given talks and interviews about her work, including at schools and universities, as well as at conferences and festivals.

British Dermatological Nursing Group (BDNG) Podcasts
In conversation with…Alberto Barea and Layal Liverpool — 11 June 2024
York Festival of Ideas
Talk on how racism is making us ill — 8 June 2024
Hay Festival
Panel discussion on healthcare and education with Marcus Brigstocke, Gavin Francis and Justine Greening — 29 May 2024
Women of the World Manchester
Big ideas talk about how racism is making us ill — 25 May 2024
...
Berlin Metropolitan School
Talk about racism and biases in science and medicine - 9 February 2023
Mill Hill County High School, London
Black History Month talk about careers in science and journalism - 14 October 2022
NeuWrite Science Journalism Panel
ScienceWrite Journalism Panel - 16 November 2021
talkRADIO
Badass Women's Hour - 29 August 2020
BBC Radio Kent
Breakfast on BBC Radio Kent (broadcast live) - 29 July 2020
BBC Radio Scotland
Good Morning Scotland (broadcast live) - 9 May 2020

Contact

Layal Liverpool

Dr. Layal Liverpool

For publicity enquiries related to Layal's book Systemic, please contact Hayley Camis hayley.camis@bloomsbury.com (UK) or Emily Lavelle Emilylavellecommunications@outlook.com (US). For other book-related enquiries, please contact Layal via her literary agent Will Francis wfrancis@janklow.co.uk.

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Layal Liverpool
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layal@layalliverpool.com

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