Dr Ben Goldacre receives British Academy’s President’s Medal

Green Templeton College Research Fellow Dr Ben Goldacre has been awarded the President’s Medal from the British Academy.

Dr Ben Goldacre at the ceremony where he was presented with the President’s Medal

Academy President Professor Sir David Cannadine said the honour was given in recognition of his work “championing evidence and reason through his writing, broadcasting, and campaigning.”

“At a time of fake news and the distrust of experts and expertise, there can surely be no better time to acclaim and applaud those who are standing up for truth and evidence,” said Professor Sir Cannadine.

The British Academy President’s Medal is awarded each year to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the humanities and social sciences through academic-related activity rather than academic achievement alone.

Dr Goldacre, a Senior Fellow of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, specialises in “unpicking the misuse of science and statistics”. He runs the DataLab at the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine.

V kind, thank you. The work I do with colleagues – generating and evaluating evidence – can be unpopular. I'm grateful for this award, and grateful to any organisation that uses its power to support folk like me and @NaomiOreskes! https://t.co/DqejmWp02g

— Ben Goldacre (@bengoldacre) July 18, 2019

Dr Goldacre’s honour was announced alongside an award for Professor Naomi Oreskes, who received the British Academy Medal.

In addition, the Academy announced 76 academics who have been elected as Fellows.