Welcome

Emma is an honest-to-goodness robot scientist who, when she’s not developing intelligent systems, writes for Forbes, the FT and Global Business Magazine. She also frequently appears on Sky News and the BBC talking about the future of artificial intelligence and robotics.

Her interest in neuroscience led to her first popular science book: Swearing is Good for You: The Amazing Science of Bad Language (Profile (UK), W. W. Norton (USA), Anansi (Canada) November 2017). 

Her pub, conference and convention talks lead to packed houses and requests for more. Emma is available for personal appearances, television, internet, and radio work.

Emma’s literary agent is Carrie Plitt at Felicity Brian associates.

Swearing is Good for You

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Swearing is Good for You is my first popular science book, which looks at the science of swearing. I argue (using peer reviewed science!) that swearing is both big and clever. It’s likely to have been one of the first forms of language that we developed and, since then, it’s been helping us to deal with pain, work together, manage our emotions and improve our minds.

Preorder now on Kindle in the UK and the US. Available in paperback from November 2017.

Broadcast and Public Speaking

Highlights of Recent Events

Nineworlds convention: the neuroscience of swearing, and artificial intelligence 

A/W 2013 – Commentator on Sky News – robotics and autonomous vehicles

May 2013 – BBC Four Thought on the benefits of swearing.

Spring 2013 – BBC Academy Expert Women trainee.  (Audition tapes one and two)

May 2012: Cosy Science. Alan Turing: the Enigma of Intelligence, Talk & Q&A

Praise for Emma’s Public Speaking: “Emma Byrne has the unique ability to make science and the lives of scientists accessible to everyone. Making people cry during her description of Alan Turing’s death and explaining Genetic Algorithms in an entertaining yet comprehensible way are just two examples of her skills both as a writer and a presenter.” Dr Simone Stumpf, City University

“Emma was very knowledgeable about her subject and made it easy to understand for a science novice like me!”

“Emma’s talk about Alan Turing was perfectly balanced between his troubled life and his ground-breaking work.”

“Emma Byrne gave an engaging and lively talk about Alan Turing and his life. She succeeded in making familiar material seem new, exciting and even moving. She answered audience questions with wit and enthusiasm. Highly recommended. Five stars”

Journalism and other copy

My journalism experience includes:

  • Regular articles on Forbes about the future of business.
  • Over 30 articles and features for the Financial Times (free subscription required).
  • Several pieces for Global Business Magazine including a cover feature on social networking, two cover articles on the EU and a feature on depression in the workplace.
  • An expert’s view piece for eHealth Insider
  • Regular contributions to the Londoner.SO guide
  • Work for hire for a number of technology blogs

My copywriting experience includes work for hire for a number of startups in the medical and financial technology fields.

My science communication activities include work that has been featured on BBC’s Horizon programme, BBC Radio 5 and a number of outlets including the Melbourne Age and the New Scientist.

I am a recipient of a British Science Association Media Fellowship (2008) .

You can see a portfolio of my work here.