Ben Goldacre

Ben Goldacre TAM London 2009

Ben Goldacre is a British physician, academic, and science writer known for his criticism of pseudoscience and quackery in the medical field. Born in 1974, Goldacre has become a prominent figure in the discussion of scientific evidence and the importance of clinical trials in assessing the efficacy of medicines and treatments.

Early Life and Education

Ben Goldacre was born in London, England. He pursued medicine at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he earned a first-class Bachelor of Arts degree in Medicine. Following his undergraduate studies, Goldacre continued his medical training at UCL Medical School, qualifying as a physician.

Career

Goldacre's career has spanned various roles, including working as a psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital in London and as a research fellow in epidemiology at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. However, he is best known for his work as a science writer and broadcaster.

Bad Science

Goldacre gained widespread recognition through his column "Bad Science" in The Guardian newspaper, where he critiqued unscientific claims in the media, particularly those related to health and science. His work in Bad Science led to the publication of a book by the same name in 2008. The book, Bad Science, exposes the lack of scientific evidence behind various health scares, diets, and therapies.

AllTrials Campaign

In addition to his writing, Goldacre has been an advocate for transparency in clinical research. He co-founded the AllTrials campaign, which calls for all past and present clinical trials to be registered and their results reported. The campaign highlights the issue of publication bias and the impact it has on the reliability of medical research.

Publications

Goldacre has authored several influential books and articles. His notable works include:

• Bad Science (2008) – A critique of pseudoscience and quackery in health journalism and pharmaceuticals.
• Bad Pharma (2012) – An examination of the pharmaceutical industry's practices and the need for reform in drug research and regulation.

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Goldacre has received numerous awards for his contributions to science communication and public health. His accolades include the Association of British Science Writers award for best science writer on the web and the Royal Society's Kohn Award for excellence in engaging the public with science.

Personal Life

Goldacre is known to keep his personal life private. However, his work continues to influence both the public's understanding of science and the policies surrounding medical research.

See Also

• Evidence-based medicine
• Clinical trial
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Science journalism