Dynamic data: from a spreadsheet of statistics to a clear and compelling story

In October 2025, the PMNCH webinar "When Health Becomes a Headline" identified a critical gap, while the public and media outlets are interested in health information, data is often presented in a “sea of stats" dry, complex, and often stripped of the human emotion necessary to move policymakers. 

If session 1 of this capacity-building series was about understanding why the media prioritizes certain health stories, Phase 2 is about the "How." This Masterclass equips partners with the skills to ensure their data supports an argument clearly and compellingly, transforming "broadcast-ready" narratives into tools for real-world influence and advocacy. 

About the speaker 

Simon Hill created and leads an award-winning course in public speaking, storytelling and writing skills at the University of Cambridge, and has been named one of the top 10 communication experts in the UK by the marketing platform Favikon. 

He has a series of books published, ranging from business and communication to crime fiction. Previously, Simon was a BBC Television, Radio and Online News Correspondent for 20 years. 

Objectives 

The goal is to bridge the "Data-Story Gap" by training advocates to use the Media’s Lens. By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 

• Humanize Complexity: Extract a single, relatable human thread from massive health datasets. 

• Practice Ethical Storytelling: Communicate sensitive health issues without compromising the dignity or safety of the individuals involved. 

• Clarify the Ask: Use data to support a persuasive argument rather than letting the numbers bury the message.