Writing a lay summary for your UK Biobank research project

All approved UK Biobank research projects are listed on our website. As part of this, researchers are asked to provide a lay summary that explains their project in a way that can be understood by the general public.

A lay summary is a brief description of your research project written for a non-specialist audience. It should explain what your research aims to do, why it is important, and how UK Biobank data will be used.

A good lay summary uses plain English, avoids jargon, and explains any technical terms that cannot be avoided.

A clear lay summary helps:

• UK Biobank participants understand how their data and samples are being used to support health research.
• Members of the public understand the research being carried out and its potential benefits.
• UK Biobank demonstrate transparency about the research it supports.

When writing your summary, try to follow these simple principles:

• Use plain English and avoid technical language wherever possible.
• Avoid abbreviations and acronyms. If you must use them, explain them clearly.
• Use simple, everyday words instead of specialist terminology.
• Write in an active style. For example, write “We will analyse the data” rather than “The data will be analysed”.
• Keep sentences short and focused.
• Organise your information logically so it is easy to follow.
• Use headings or bullet points where appropriate to improve readability.
• Ask colleagues, friends, or patients, to read your summary and identify anything that may be unclear.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help draft summaries, but researchers remain responsible for ensuring the content is accurate and reflects the proposed research.

Before you submit

Once you have written a first draft, set it aside for a short time and review it later. A fresh look often helps identify unnecessary words, unclear explanations, or areas that could be simplified further.

Before submitting your summary, ask yourself:

• Would someone with no scientific background understand this?
• Have I explained any technical terms clearly?
• Is the purpose of the research easy to understand?
• Have I kept the language as simple and concise as possible?

A well-written lay summary helps participants and the wider public understand the value of the research being conducted using UK Biobank data.