The subtle side of science

On a spring day in March, a group of writers came together to learn about writing from scientists. Not how to write, but what to write: How to tell stories about science and scientists that are both interesting and accurate. It's easy to get one or the other, but often difficult to capture both simultaneously.It was the 2nd "Subtle Science" Short Story Competition, part of the Oxford Literary Festival. During that March day, fiction writers met with researchers in the physical and life sciences, to learn about the technical details of science, and objects and images associated with a particular field. The scientists also shared parts of their lives outside of work, showing the writers the people behind the science.Representing the life sciences were Nick Brown, a plant ecologist, and Autumn Rowan-Hull, a researcher in stem cell and diabetes, both at the University of Oxford. The event...