Ben Goldacre
Ben Goldacre is an English author, doctor, and science writer who has gained notable recognition for his works exploring the interaction between media, science, and medicine. His writing focuses on the misuse of scientific data, and government policy driven by academic lobbyists and special interest groups.
Goldacre first interesting in medicine at a young age. As a student of medicine at the University of Oxford, he studied epidemiology and evidence-based medicine. After graduating, he completed a scientific research degree, publishing a thesis on global health problems in the medical journal Lancet.
After completing his studies, Goldacre began a career as a medical doctor while taking part in a research fellowship at the University of Southampton. During this fellowship, he wrote his first book Bad Science in 2008. In it, he argues against the misuse of scientific data, popular misconceptions of science, the promotion of false treatments, and the use of scientific arguments where they are uncalled for - increasingly rampant in media and politics at the time. The book was met with widespread praise and was a best-seller in the UK.
Goldacre followed up Bad Science with a second book, Bad Pharma, which focused on the mismanagement of drugs and patient care as a result of the influence of pharmaceutical companies. Through his writing, Goldacre exposed the causes and consequences of medical misinformation, incompetence, and negligence. He also exposed alarming instances where medical research, treatments, and drugs are dangerous, expensive, and ineffective. The book was a success, receiving critical response and being an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller for 2014.
In his next book, I Think You'll Find It's a Bit More Complicated Than That, Goldacre continues to explore the misuse of science and data, as well as its implications for public policy. Most notable in this book is Goldacre's criticism of the misuse of evidence in policymaking, as well as his advocacy for fact-based, data-driven solutions to complex issues. The book received positive reviews and was widely quoted in media, leading to its translation into multiple languages.
In addition to his work advocating for science-based public policy, Goldacre is also widely known for his TED talks and series of articles exploring the intersection between media, science, and medicine. He is an advocate for open data, transparent research processes, and importance of evidence-based science. Goldacre's messages and works emphasize the need for reliable scientific evidence, proper public policy, and public commitment to promoting public health, as well as ability of scientific knowledge to function as a force for improvement in our societies. His works and enthusiasm for science education have inspired people of all ages to take interest in the potential scientific discoveries of their own.
On top of his successful writing career, Goldacre is also the medical doctor of a research practice based in Oxford. He has authored and co-authored multiple papers for journals such as The BMJ, BMJ Open, and The New England Journal of Medicine. He has given lectures in universities worldwide and has spoken at Harvard, Cambridge, and Columbia.
Outside of academia, Goldacre has given TV and radio interviews, and is a regular contributor to The Guardian. In 2017 he founded the AllTrials campaign to increase transparency and disclosure of clinical trials by researchers and pharmaceutical companies. Through his works and public outreach, Goldacre has managed to draw attention to the growing importance of evidence-based science and policy, and pioneering the movement for science-based public policy.
