Ben is a best-selling author, broadcaster, medical doctor and academic who specialises in unpicking dodgy scientific claims from drug companies, newspapers, government reports, PR people and quacks. Unpicking bad science is the best way to explain good science.
“Bad Science” (4th Estate) has sold over 400,000 copies, is published in 18 countries, and reached #1 in the UK paperback non-fiction charts. His book exposing bad behaviour in the pharmaceutical industry will be published in 2012 by 4th Estate.
Ben has written the weekly Bad Science column in the Guardian since 2003. It’s archived on this site along with blogposts, columns for the British Medical Journal, and other writing.
There are lots of clips of Ben on telly here, and a talk at TEDGlobal here. He has made various documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and The World Service on science, libel, policy, and epidemiology: The Placebo Effect is a two-part series, The Rise of the Lifestyle Nutritionists is another. He’s appeared on the Today programme lots of times, QI, Any Questions, Newsnight, Start The Week, The Now Show, Loose Ends, PM, Quote Unquote, Watchdog, and various other things. You can find plenty of it if you dig around on the site, along with lectures, podcast interviews, maybe start here.
He has toured theatres and rock venues and given over 300 talks in the past 5 years, from comedy clubs and music festivals to universities and schools, the Hammersmith Apollo, and various government departments. You can book him for after dinner speaking by emailing sballard@unitedagents.co.uk.
He’s received lots of awards for writing, and a few honorary doctorates.
This is what Google thinks about him, this is what the blogs say about Bad Science. He was trained in medicine in Oxford and London. You can contact him on ben@badscience.net, he can’t reply to everything, but it does get read.
Ben is 36 and currently works full time as an academic in epidemiology. He does not see private patients.
Twitter:
Agent:
For books and journalism, or if you need high resolution photos for media please contact: Sarah Ballard through Zoe Ross zross@unitedagents.co.uk
Speaking engagements:
I do talks on the misuse of science and statistics in medicine, business, journalism, government, and more. They are funny and informative, depending on whether it’s after dinner or the beginning of the day, kids, adults, or people in suits. Please contact sballard@unitedagents.co.uk and zross@unitedagents.co.uk to discuss.
Here is my TED talk. I am also capable of speaking at normal speeds.
www.ted.com/talks/ben_goldacre_battling_bad_science.html
Phone:
If you’ve somehow got my mobile number, you should know that email gets me instantly and faster, ben@badscience.net.
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/pages/Ben-Goldacre-Bad-Science/26030473910
