Dr Ben Goldacre, Director of the EBM DataLab, has been awarded the British Academy President’s Medal for his role in championing evidence and reason through his writing, broadcasting and campaigning.
The President of the British Academy, Professor Sir David Cannadine, has promoted the role of academics in defending rationalism and evidence and awarded two medals to those whose work “has brought academic rigour into public debate on the major challenges of our day”.
Commenting, Professor Sir David Cannadine said: “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.”
“Both scientists and humanists know that the big challenges that we face as a society will not be fixed by science alone, but by all the disciplines working together. And it is only with reason, evidence and wisdom offered by the academic community that these problems will be solved.”
The medal also went to American science historian Professor Naomi Oreskes, who was recognised for her books Merchants of Doubt and The Collapse of Western Civilisation.
Commenting on Twitter, Dr Goldacre said: "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!"