Rob Ashton Founder & Chair

Rob is a former scientist who set up Emphasis after a career in magazine and journal editing.

His background still informs much of what he does – from designing the writing analysis that underpins all our courses through to his insistence that advice be based on evidence, not pseudoscience or wishful thinking.

These days, he spends most of his time researching the hidden science behind the words we write and the effects they have on us. His writing has been featured in the Guardian and The Telegraph, as well as specialist publications including Accountancy Age, Training Journal and Nursing Standard, and he’s appeared on PM – BBC Radio 4’s flagship news programme. He’s also a member of the Association of British Science Writers and writes our weekly newsletter on writing at work, Writing Matters.