Ben Goldacre Speaking Fee: $30,000 to $50,000

Ben Goldacre is a British physician, academic, and author renowned for his critical examination of scientific integrity and evidence-based medicine. Born in London in 1974, he is the son of Michael Goldacre, a professor of public health at the University of Oxford, and Susan Traynor, known by her stage name Noosha Fox, lead singer of the 1970s pop band Fox. Goldacre's early exposure to both the scientific and artistic worlds shaped his analytical approach and communication skills. He pursued his medical studies at Magdalen College, Oxford, earning a first-class degree in physiological sciences in 1995. Goldacre continued his clinical training at University College London, qualifying as a medical doctor in 2000. Furthering his education, he obtained a Master of Arts in philosophy from King's College London in 1997. His diverse academic background laid the foundation for his interdisciplinary approach to medicine and science communication. Goldacre gained prominence through his "Bad Science" column in The Guardian, where he scrutinized the misuse of science and statistics in media, healthcare, and various industries. This work led to his first book, Bad Science (2008), which became a bestseller, selling over half a million copies in the UK alone. In this book, he dissected the flaws in scientific studies and exposed misleading claims, aiming to enhance public understanding of scientific principles. In 2012, he published Bad Pharma, a critical analysis of the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting issues such as selective reporting of clinical trial results and unethical marketing practices. Goldacre's advocacy for transparency in clinical trials led him to co-found the AllTrials campaign, which calls for the registration and reporting of all clinical trial data. His commitment to open science is further demonstrated through initiatives like OpenTrials, aiming to aggregate information about clinical trials into a single, accessible database. Currently, Goldacre serves as the Bennett Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine and directs the Bennett Institute for Applied Data Science at the University of Oxford. His research focuses on informatics, epidemiology, and improving the use of routinely collected electronic health data to inform healthcare decisions. Through his writing, research, and public speaking, Goldacre continues to champion the importance of scientific rigor and transparency in medicine.