Standing up for science media workshop
Agenda read here
Reading material read here
Last updated: March 09 2010
Libel stories
Monday 8th March to Sunday 14th March 2010 is Big Libel Week. We will be releasing libel stories, new and old, this week. Check back here every day for new stories.
Libel Tourism Affecting Developing Nations
The Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIN) is a Bosnian non-profit organisation that investigates organised crime and corruption. Spokesman Drew Sullivan recently addressed the Culture Media and Sport Committee inquiry into press standards, privacy, and libel.
Sullivan described the the practice of libel tourism in the UK, which he says “has been a boon to developing world crime figures who have sued developing world media and civil society organization in your courts,” taking advantage of England’s “draconian civil awards” and “the most media-unfriendly libel laws relative to the rest of the developed world.”
As an example, Sullivan told of a Serbian oligarch who took control of the local energy market:
“We reported, based on prosecution and auditor records, how this man had a pattern of getting state electrical companies to give him sweetheart deals that cost taxpayers millions of dollars, and how he bought state electricity at below production costs only to sell it at handsome profits.”
The expose won an international investigative prize, but the oligarch’s UK lawyers began sending threatening letters. CIN had to hire a UK-based lawyer, though Sullivan noted “the cost of only a few hours of a UK lawyer’s time will buy an organization such as ours a one year retainer for a lawyer in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Though CIN’s lawyer handled the threats, the oligarch’s firm did not stop there.
“Reminiscent of the despicable, underhanded practices of organized crime figures, the UK law firm contacted all of our donors,” Sullivan said. “They made a series of inaccurate, slanderous statements attempting to damage our reputation.”
CIN spent valuable time and money to defend against these attacks, which gained greater credibility since they originated from a UK law firm. Eventually they were able to convince their donors to continue to support them.
“UK courts should not be misused,” said Sullivan, “and they should not be a tool that forces organizations to avoid printing the truth or journalists to self-censor, and that allows organized crime figures to harass the innocent.”
Football Club Sues Supporters
Owlstalk is an online forum for fans of Sheffield Wednesday Football Club (SWFC). Members can anonymously post their thoughts, which at times can be passionate. SWFC felt that eleven of the members were posting defamatory remarks and pursuing “a sustained campaign of vilification.”
SWFC sued Neil Hargreaves, the owner of Owlstalk, to force him to reveal the identities of eleven members so they could pursue those members in libel suits. Judge Richard Parkes QC ordered Hargreaves to turn over the email addresses of four of the members, ruling that the claimants’ right to reputation “outweighs, in my judgement, the right of the authors to maintain their anonymity and their right to express themselves freely.”
The Judge ruled that the other members’ comments were “trivial” and therefore they could stay anonymous. He also ruled that Hargreaves did not bear any responsibility for the comments, and thus would not be at risk of a libel suit.
“The people in the media who stand up for free speech, like newspapers, have money and experience to fight these cases,” said solicitor Ian de Freitas. “The vast majority of online companies don’t have this luxury and their business models can’t cope with defamation claims. The libel laws in the UK are claimant friendly, not defendant friendly.”
Defamatory Science?
Xytis Inc is a Swiss biotech firm that funded a clinical trial at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to test a new drug designed as a treatment for traumatic brain injury. During the study, Xytis found that the data being collected was not supportive of the drug’s efficacy, and requested that the trial end early.
“They requested the trial be terminated but quickly moved onto using a court injunction, which in essence prevented researchers . . . from publishing any of the trial results - which they felt would jeopardise the future of the drug,” said Iain Hrynaszkiewicz of BioMed Central, publishers of the journal Trials where the trial was eventually published.
The injunction was used to prevent publication of potentially libellous or defamatory material. In this case, the material in question was a scientific study that might keep a drug from being released onto the market.
LSHTM defended the study in court and won the right to publish the results a year later. Chief investigator Ian Roberts and trial manager Haleema Shakur wrote in a letter to BioMed Central:
“After a long and expensive legal battle we are pleased that Trials has published the results of the BRAIN trial thus allowing us to meet our ethical obligations to the trial participants that the data are made publicly available.”
A British Doctor Sued by a US Company for a Canadian Article
Dr Peter Wilmshurst is a British cardiologist who has spent more than two decades challenging misconduct in medical research. In 2003 he was awarded the HealthWatch award, given annually to the person who has done the most to expose poor clinical trials.
“Exposing this bad practice usually requires a whistleblower who thereby puts his own career in peril,” explained HealthWatch.
In 2005, Wilmshurst did just that. He was a joint principal investigator in a clinical trial testing the effectiveness of the STARFlex device, which was expected to reduce the incidence of migraines when implanted in the heart. The study failed to find any benefits. At a cardiology conference in Washington, Wilmshurst criticised the device’s American manufacturer, NMT Medical, for the way they were handling data from the clinical trial. His criticism was reported by the Canadian website Heartline, where it could be viewed online for three days. NMT launched a libel lawsuit against Wilmshurst, who has chosen to defend himself despite receiving no support from his NHS Trust. His solicitor maintains that Wilmshurst had a “social, moral, and ethical duty” to make the information public and demanded that NMT drop the suit and repay all the costs.
“We also want them to say they recognise my right to have said this,” Wilmshurst told The Times. “They should recognise that even though they don’t agree, this is an expert opinion and they shouldn’t have sued.”
Despite the potentially crippling legal costs even if he wins, Wilmshurst is defending his right publicly express his concerns to ensure that future researchers are free to speak honestly about clinical trials for the good of the public.
The One Million Pounds Per Day Lawsuit
Andy Lewis runs the Quackometer blog, where he writes about quackery, or “anything involving overpromotion in the field of health.”
Beginning in September 2006, Lewis wrote a series of articles criticising Joseph Chikelue Obi of the Royal College of Alternative Medicine (RCAM) in Dublin. Obi was charging 300 Euro an hour for health advice over the phone, and Lewis later reported that he was under investigation for taking thousands of pounds to cure a woman’s illness.
Among other revelations, he also found that RCAM did not exist at the address it claimed and that Obi was suspended from South Tyneside District Hospital for misconduct.
In January 2008, Obi’s legal representative “Tanja Suessenbach” sent Lewis’ ISP Netcetera a letter demanding the posts be removed by January 21 or else “we are instructed to hold you fully liable to the tune of 1 Million (One Million Pounds) per day, together with additional punitive damages relating to the many months during which the defamatory material had and has been globally accessible via your server.”
Lewis contacted Obi in an attempt to understand which statements were defamatory so they could be edited. In the meanwhile, Netcetera removed the posts, which were immediately posted on dozens of other websites.
A week later, Lewis wrote to Netcetera, saying, “We have now waited long enough for either Obi or his ‘legal advisor’ to respond in a meaningful and constructive manner. That has not happened, not will it happen because his case is utterly groundless and he has achieved what he wanted to do - take down those pages.”
After several days he learned that Netcetera had decided to remove the entire Quackwatch site from its servers. Lewis received an email from the company saying “We do not wish to be in a position where we could be taken to court, and incur the loss of time and expense that would involve.”
Quackwatch reappeared several days later, hosted by a new ISP.
Trafigura Silences The Guardian
In October 2009, The Guardian reported that an MP had tabled a question in Parliament, but the paper could not reveal the name of the MP, the question that was asked, or the company that was preventing the reporting.
The following day, The Guardian was allowed to explain that “[MP Paul] Farrelly’s question was about the implications for press freedom of an order obtained by Trafigura preventing the Guardian and other media from publishing the contents of a report related to the dumping of toxic waste in Ivory Coast.”
Trafigura is a Swiss oil company that was accused of dumping the waste in 2006, causing 30,000 people to seek medical attention. The company hired libel specialists Carter-Ruck to act as attorneys.
“Carter-Ruck spray threatening letters around newsrooms from Oslo to Abidjan. They launch an action against the BBC. And they persuade a judge to suppress a confidential but embarrassing document which has fallen into journalists’ hands,” wrote Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger. “A new term is coined: ‘super-injunctions’, whereby the existence of court proceedings and court orders are themselves secret.”
After Carter-Ruck stopped his paper from reporting on the Parliamentary question, Rusbridger took to Twitter. Overnight, users had figured out Farrelly’s question and deduced that Trafigura was behind the injunction.
By lunchtime the following day, Trafigura conceded the injunction did not apply to Parliamentary proceedings.
“Trafigura thought it was buying silence,” Rusbridger wrote. “A combination of old media - the Guardian - and new - Twitter turned attempted obscurity into mass notoriety.”
An injunction still prevents The Guardian from revealing information about The Minton Report, a document that purports to contain evidence of the waste dumping.
Last updated: March 10 2010
VoYS slides
VoYS slides from AAAS
Last updated: March 02 2010
Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee report on Press Standards, Privacy and Libel
The Libel Reform Campaign led by English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science have welcomed the report by a group of influential MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport select committee as ‘a great starting point to ensure a once in a generation overhaul of our libel laws.’
The Select Committee report makes strong recommendations on curbing libel tourism, strengthening the public interest defence, cutting the cost of libel cases by holding down lawyers per hour charges, and recognising the resources that corporations can use to bully charities, writers and scientists by reversing the burden of proof in cases involving corporations.
Tracey Brown, Managing Director of Sense About Science said:
“We welcome the committee’s recognition of the harmful effects of UK libel laws on the science and medical community. The proposal for a clear public interest defence is an important step toward the far reaching reform that is needed.”
Jonathan Heawood, Director of English PEN said:
“206 MPs have signed Parliamentary Early Day Motion 423 calling for libel reform. The Select Committee report by John Whittingdale MP will add to the rising chorus of voices within Westminster calling for reform of our outdated libel laws that benefit no-one except 400 pound an hour lawyers.”
Jo Glanville, the Editor of Index on Censorship said:
“We’re concerned that ghettoising fair comment in peer reviewed journals would not have helped Simon Singh in his libel case whatsoever, it’s important that a fair comment defence is available to everyone, not just for academic discussion out of the reach of ordinary people.”
Read the full report here
Last updated: February 24 2010
Joint submission from CaSE and Sense About Science to consultation
Dear Professsor Beddington
Thank you for inviting views on the Principles of scientific advice to Government within the consultation about Guidelines on scientific analysis in policy making.
As the Government is already aware, following the sacking of David Nutt and subsequent resignations of other ACMD members, there was significant concern in the scientific community. Many scientists contacted Sense About Science and the Campaign for Science and Engineering with concerns about the ACMD's treatment, other attempts to control SAC output, and their unhappiness about contributing advice under such conditions. Therefore, when independent scientific advisers and others proposed to set out explicitly the principles underlying independent advice and seek Government's confirmation of them, we thought it a constructive initiative. It provided a means to reaffirm all that is good about the independent advisory system (and it largely works very well), to ensure that new ministers understood what its benefits were and to reduce the likelihood of public cynicism about scientific advice to Government.
The principles drawn up by the scientific community were based on commitments the Government had already given about independence and proper consideration of advice in response to previous reports. They were drafted and endorsed by 90 members of Scientific Advisory Councils and other scientists and sent to the Prime Minister by Lord Rees in November 2009.
The Government responded in December. While it was expected that some amendments might be suggested about the context and the detail elaborating the principles, there was widespread consternation about the removal of references to academic freedom and the suggestion of new codes relating to trust and respect, which reflect neither the codes of practice for scientific advisers nor the Government’s previous commitments to independent scientific advice. If such suggestions were implemented, the independence of scientific advice would be undermined. Not surprisingly, the Government’s response drew much more trenchant criticism than the ACMD affair.
The principles drafted by the scientific community were amended through consultation among the endorsers and others, in response to the Government’s publication of its suggestions and also the House of Commons Sci Tech committee report. We have agreed to forward on their behalf these Amended Principles, which we are publishing, to your consultation, together with a suggestion for a corresponding entry in the Ministerial Code (Appendix 3), for the Government to consider.
Please find attached:
A.The Amended Principles
B.Statement of Reasons setting out areas of agreement and ways in which the Principles have been amended to adopt all appropriate points or wording from the Government's suggestions
Appendix 1: List of endorsers
Appendix 2: Summary of equivalent responsibilities of SACs as set out in the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Councils (CoPSAC) and the Universal Ethical Code.
Appendix 3: Suggested entry for Ministerial Code
Appendix 4: Original principles sent to the Prime Minister in November 2009
It is important to emphasise a context of many professional and productive relationships between SACs and Government. However, we feel obliged to record that we have received over 200 items of correspondence expressing surprise and disappointment that the Government has not taken the opportunity to affirm its commitment to the basic principles of independent advice and that instead it has made suggestions that add greater uncertainty to the relationship. These include some who have indicated that they will resign or refuse to advise Government again. Present and former ACMD members are also disappointed that there has been no progress since they asked the Home Secretary to affirm the principles. Despite this, we believe that the Government still has an opportunity to restore the confidence of the scientific community by agreeing a strong set of principles for scientific advice and incorporating relevant aspects of it into the Ministerial Code to ensure the integrity of the scientific advisory process into the future.
Yours sincerely
Nick Dusic, Director, CaSE
Tracey Brown, Managing Director, Sense About Science
Joint submission from CaSE and Sense About Science to consultation
Last updated: February 11 2010
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Sign up now to keep the libel laws out of science!
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with EnglishPEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.
The use of the English libel laws to silence critical discussion of medical practice and scientific evidence discourages debate, denies the public access to the full picture and encourages use of the courts to silence critics. The British Chiropractic Association has sued Simon Singh for libel. The scientific community would have preferred that it had defended its position about chiropractic through an open discussion in the medical literature or mainstream media.
On 4th June 2009 Simon Singh announced that he was applying to appeal the judge's recent pre-trial ruling in this case, in conjunction with the launch of this support campaign to defend the right of the public to read the views of scientists and writers.
Join the campaign! In a statement published on 4th June 2009, over 100 people from the worlds of science, journalism, publishing, comedy, literature and law have joined together to express support for Simon and call for an urgent review of English law of libel. Supporters include Stephen Fry, Lord Rees of Ludlow, Ricky Gervais, Martin Amis, James Randi, Professor Richard Dawkins, Penn & Teller and Professor Sir David King, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government.
Please help us with this campaign, sign the statement and ask everyone you know to sign it. With every additional 1000 names we will be sending the statement again to Government until there is a commitment and a timetable from the parties for the necessary legislation.
Click here to read details of the launch of the campaign to Keep Libel Laws out of Science.
Simon Singh has provided some background to his own libel case which you can read here, along with a discussion of the problems with the English libel system. At the launch of the campaign, Simon encouraged supporters to sign the statement of support:
"It has been a stressful and frustrating twelve months since I published my article on chiropractors and their attempts to treat children with conditions such as asthma. The British Chiropractic Association's decision to sue me for libel has been an enormous drain on my time and energy. However, the support that I have received from family, friends, readers, bloggers, scientists, journalists and those who care about free speech has been incredible, and it has played a crucial role in my decision to continue defending my article and fighting the libel action.
More importantly, everyone agrees that there is something fundamentally wrong with the English libel laws, which have a chilling effect on journalists, whether they write about science or anything else, whether they live in Britain or anywhere else. Hence, I am delighted that so many individuals and organisations have come together to launch a campaign with Sense About Science to highlight how the English libel laws clash with the right to discuss science in a frank and fair way. The Keep Libel Laws out of Science Campaign will also raise issues related to my particular libel case, and it will encourage a debate on the reform of the English libel system.
The campaign launch revolves around the statement shown below, and I would urge anyone who cares about science or free speech to show support by signing up.
And I would also encourage you to make your friends and colleagues aware of the issues at stake and ask them to sign up. It is possible that the time is right for major libel reform in England, which will then allow scientists and journalists to write with less fear of being intimidated." Simon Singh
Click here to read Simon's full account of the story.
Click here to read and sign the statement.
For more information contact Sile Lane on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 020 7478 4380.
News already! This statement has already received a response, with support from cross party MPs.
More News!World science journalists object to English libel laws
With huge thanks to Andy Lewis, Emma Welsh, Harriet Teare, Inga Deakin, Matt Davis, Frank Swain and Elisa Parish for all their technical and creative work. Thank you to Hamish Symington for wonderful design help and to web application development company Xibis for their donation
Press Coverage
Today programme, Radio 4 From 1:36:30 here
Daily Mail 'Libel tourism' gags free speech warns doctor being sued by U.S. firm
The Times Let's put an end to the disgrace of libel tourism
The Times Cardiologist will fight libel case 'to defend free speech'
The Scotsman Libel under a microscope
The Sunday Times Jack Straw pledges action to end libel tourism
The Sunday Times Think tank: The way to publish and not be damned
Time Magazine A Crackdown Coming on British Libel Suits?
The Independent Yasmin Alibhai-Brown: How libel laws silence our democracy
The Economist A city named sue
The Sunday Times Libel laws stifle health doubts
Channel 4 news Libel fear for doctors and scientists
The Sunday Times England's libel laws don't just gag me, they blindfold you
The New York Times Cracking the Spine of Libel
The Guardian An intrepid, ragged band of bloggers
The Independent The libel laws that threaten to stifle scientific debate
BMJ Keep Libel Laws out of Science
New Humanist Bogus treatment
SEED Magazine On behalf of Simon Singh
The Sunday Times Think tank: Costly libel suits are stifling science
Wall Street Journal Britain chills free speech
Professor Chris French in The Guardian 'Witch hunt' forces chiropractors to take down their websites
Nature Unjust burdens of proof
The Economist A happy cacophony
Times Higher Education Win or lose, the cost of fighting a libel suit chills science and journalism
BMJ Science in court
Channel 4 News Watch here
Daily Mail Celebrities back writer sued by chiropractors
The Guardian Science writer Simon Singh to appeal against chiropractic libel judgement
The Times Review of libel law called for by comedians
The Independent Silenced, the writer who dared to say chiropractice is bogus
Daily Telegraph Stephen Fry and Ricky Gervais defend science writer sued for libel
Nature news Science writer will appeal libel case ruling
Times Higher Education Singh plans to appeal ruling in libel case
Last updated: December 10 2009
The law has no place in scientific disputes
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.
We the undersigned believe that it is inappropriate to use the English libel laws to silence critical discussion of medical practice and scientific evidence.
The British Chiropractic Association has sued Simon Singh for libel. The scientific community would have preferred that it had defended its position about chiropractic for various children's ailments through an open discussion of the peer reviewed medical literature or through debate in the mainstream media. Singh holds that chiropractic treatments for asthma, ear infections and other infant conditions are not evidence-based. Where medical claims to cure or treat do not appear to be supported by evidence, we should be able to criticise assertions robustly and the public should have access to these views. English libel law, though, can serve to punish this kind of scrutiny and can severely curtail the right to free speech on a matter of public interest. It is already widely recognised that the law is weighted heavily against writers: among other things, the costs are so high that few defendants can afford to make their case. The ease and success of bringing cases under the English law, including against overseas writers, has led to London being viewed as the "libel capital" of the world. Freedom to criticise and question in strong terms and without malice is the cornerstone of scientific argument and debate, whether in peer-reviewed journals, on websites or in newspapers, which have a right of reply for complainants. However, the libel laws and cases such as BCA v Singh have a chilling effect, which deters scientists, journalists and science writers from engaging in important disputes about the evidential base supporting products and practices. The libel laws discourage argument and debate and merely encourage the use of the courts to silence critics. The English law of libel has no place in scientific disputes about evidence; the BCA should discuss the evidence outside of a courtroom. Moreover, the BCA v Singh case shows a wider problem: we urgently need a full review of the way that English libel law affects discussions about scientific and medical evidence. |
Click here to read additional comments from signatories
Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated
Science
Igor Aleksander FREng Professor Emeritus in Neural Systems Engineering, Imperial College London
Professor Jim Al-Khalili OBE Professor of Physics and of Public Engagement in Science, University of Surrey
Dr Sabine Bahn Cambridge Centre for Neuropsychiatric Research, University of Cambridge
Harriet Ball Voice of Young Science network
Professor Michael Baum MB FRCS ChM MD FRCR Emeritus Professor of Surgery and Visiting Professor of Medical Humanities, University College London
Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell FRS University of Oxford and President, The Institute of Physics
Willem Betz Emeritus Professor, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Chair, SKEPP
Susan Blackmore Visiting Professor, School of Psychology, University of Plymouth
Professor Colin Blakemore FRS University of Oxford
Sir Tom Blundell FRS University of Cambridge and President, The Biochemical Society
Dr Petra Boynton University College London
Jean Bricmont Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Louvain and Honorary President, Association Francaise pour l'Information Scientifique
Tracey Brown Managing Director, Sense About Science
Sir Iain Chalmers Editor, The James Lind Library
Professor David Colquhoun FRS University College London
Professor David Cope
Professor Brian Cox University of Manchester
Dr Tim Crayford MB BS MSc FFPH FRSA Former President, Association of Directors of Public Health
Professor Richard Dawkins FRS University of Oxford
Professor Edzard Ernst MD PhD FRCP FRCP (Edin) Peninsula Medical School, Exeter University
Dr Oliver Fenwick Voice of Young Science Network
Professor Elizabeth Fisher FMedSci Institute of Neurology, University College London
Dr Ron Fraser Chief Executive, The Society for General Microbiology
Professor Christopher C French Head, The Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit, Goldsmiths University and Editor, The Skeptic Magazine
Carlos Frenk Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics, Durham University
Diana Garnham Chief Executive, The Science Council
John Garrow MD PhD FRCP FRCP (Edin) Emeritus Professor of Clinical Nutrition, University of London and Former Chairman, HealthWatch
Professor David Gordon President, Association of Medical Schools in Europe
Professor Trisha Greenhalgh University College London
Professor Hugh Griffiths FREng University College London and Chairman and on behalf of The Campaign for Science and Engineering in the UK
Dr John Haigh Former Reader in Mathematics, University of Sussex
Kristoffer R Haug Master of Science, Nanotechnology, University of Oslo
Professor Martin Humphries University of Manchester and Chair, The Biochemical Society
Sir Tim Hunt FRS Cancer Research UK
Sir Roland Jackson Chief Executive, The British Science Association
Professor Steve Jones University College London
Dr Stephen Keevil King's College London
Professor Sir David King FRS Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government and Director, Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment, University of Oxford
Dr Chris Kirk Chief Executive, The Biochemical Society
Professor Sir Peter Lachmann FRS FMedSci University of Cambridge and Founder President, Academy of Medical Sciences
Jennifer Lardge Voice of Young Science network
Armand Leroi Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, Imperial College London
Dr Robin Lovell-Badge FRS FMedSci MRC National Institute for Medical Research
Dr Daniella Muallem Voice of Young Science network
Professor Dame Bridget Ogilvie FRS FMedSci Former Director, Wellcome Trust
Professor Clive Orchard University of Bristol and President, The Physiological Society
Professor Ole H Petersen CBE University of Liverpool
Lord Rees of Ludlow Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics, University of Cambridge
Les Rose Clinical Science Consultant
Dame Nancy Rothwell FRS MRC Research Professor and President, Biosciences Federation
Wallace Sampson Clinical Professor of Medicine, Stanford University
Alan Sokal Professor of Physics, New York University and Professor of Mathematics, University College London
Professor Beda Stadler University of Bern, Switzerland
John Stevens CSci FIBMS President and on behalf of The Institute of Biomedical Science
Professor Ian Stewart FRS Mathematician and Science Writer
Professor Raymond Tallis FMedSci Emeritus Professor of Geriatric Medicine, University of Manchester
Lord Taverne Chair, Sense About Science
Hazel Thornton Independent Advocate for Quality in Research and Healthcare
Sir Mark Walport Director, The Wellcome Trust
Professor Robin A Weiss FRS University College London and President, The Society for General Microbiology
Tom Wells Voice of Young Science network
Robin Wilson Professor of Pure Mathematics, Open University
Richard Wiseman Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire and Author
Journalism and Publishing
David Aaronovitch Columnist, The Times and Author
Monica Ali Writer and Member, English PEN
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown Journalist and Columnist
Julian Baggini Journalist and Writer
Wendy Barnaby Editor, People and Society
Penelope Bennett Writer and Member, English PEN
David Bodanis Journalist and Author
Rosie Boycott Former Editor, The Independent and Independent on Sunday
Geoffrey Carr Science Editor, The Economist
Marcus Chown Author, Journalist and cosmology consultant to New Scientist
Duncan Campbell Journalist and Author
Dr Philip Campbell Editor-in-Chief, Nature
Nick Cohen Columnist, The Observer
Clive Cookson Science Editor, Financial Times
Amanda Craig Writer and Member, English PEN
Nick Davies Journalist and Author of Flat Earth News
Blain Fairman Writer and Member, English PEN
Kendrick Frazier Editor, Skeptical Inquirer
Martin Gardner Author, Former Scientific American columnist and prominent skeptic
James Gleick Science Writer and Journalist
Dr Ben Goldacre Writer, Broadcaster and Medical Doctor
David Hare Writer and Member, English PEN
Nigel Hawkes Director, Straight Statistics and Former Health Editor, The Times
Mark Henderson Science Editor, The Times
Roger Highfield Editor, New Scientist
Eva Hoffman Writer and Member, English PEN
Dr Richard Horton FRS FMedSci Editor, The Lancet
Alok Jha Science and Environment Correspondent, The Guardian
Rohit Jaggi Columnist, Financial Times
Frances Jessup Writer and Member, English PEN
Barry Karr Skeptical Inquirer and Committee for Skeptical Inquiry
Dr Karl Kruszelnicki Author, Broadcaster and Scientist
Hari Kunzru Writer and Member, English PEN
Sam Lister Health Editor, The Times
Brenda Maddox Journalist and Biographer
Kenan Malik Journalist and Author
Marilyn Malin Writer and Member, English PEN
Naomi May Writer and Member, English PEN
Dr Margaret McCartney Columnist, Financial Times and GP
Caspar Melville Editor, New Humanist magazine and Chief Executive, The Rationalist Association
Robin McKie Science Correspondent, The Observer
George Monbiot Journalist
Andrew Mueller Journalist and Author
Beverley Naidoo Writer and Member, English PEN
Steven Novella Editor, Science-Based Medicine; Director of General Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine and Author
Vivienne Parry Science Writer and Broadcaster
John Rennie Former Editor-in-Chief, Scientific American
Nick Ross Journalist and Broadcaster
Ian Sample Science Correspondent, The Guardian
Anne Sebba Columnist, Financial Times
Ariane Sherine Comedy, Writer and Journalist
Michael Shermer Publisher, Skeptic Magazine; Columnist Scientific American and Author of Why People Believe Weird Things
Rebecca Smith Medical Editor, The Daily Telegraph
Andrew Sugden Deputy Editor, Science
Mike Swain Science Correspondent, The Daily Mirror
Bill Thompson Technology Journalist
Margaret Wertheim Science Writer
Arts, Humanities and Entertainment
Martin Amis Novelist
Joan Bakewell Broadcaster and Journalist
Antony Beevor Historian
Jo Brand Performer
Derren Brown Psychological Illusionist
Alain de Botton Author
Carol Ann Duffy Poet Laureate
Peter Florence Director of The Guardian Hay Festival
Stephen Fry Broadcaster and Author
Ricky Gervais Writer and Performer
Anthony Grayling Professor of Philosophy, Birkbeck College University of London
Dave Gorman Writer and Performer
Harry Hill Performer
Robin Ince Performer
Tim Minchin Performer
Dara O'Briain Performer
Penn Jillette Illusionist, Juggler and Libertarian
Libby Purves Broadcaster, Journalist and Author
Jonathan Ross TV presenter
David Starkey Historian
Teller Illusionist, Juggler and Libertarian
Sandi Toksvig Broadcaster, Comedian and Author
Dr Richard Vranch Performer and Ex-physicist
Skeptics and Campaign Groups
Luis Alfonso The Spanish Skeptics group Circulo Esceptico
The Association for Skeptical Enquiry, UK
Australian Council Against Health Fraud
Australian Skeptics Inc
Peter Bowditch Editor, www.ratbags.com
Neil Denny Little Atoms podcast
Rachael Dunlop Reporter, Skeptic Zone podcast
Hanno Essen Chairman and on behalf of the Swedish sceptics Vetenskap och Folkblidning
European Council of Skeptical Organisations
Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften The German Skeptics group
Jonathan Heawood Director, English PEN
Gabor Hrasko Executive President and on behalf of The Hungarian Skeptic Society
Narisetti Innaiah Chairman, Center for Inquiry, India
The Irish Skeptics Society
Dr Massimo Polidoro On behalf of Italian Skeptics CICAP
Andy Lewis Blogger, quackometer.net
Ronald A Lindsay President and CEO, Center for Inquiry, USA
Simon Perry Founder, Skeptics in the Pub (Leicester)
Dr Philip Plait President, James Randi Educational Foundation, USA
James Randi CEO, James Randi Educational Foundation, USA
Padraig Reidy Index on Censorship
Sid Rodrigues Chairman, Skeptics in the Pub (London)
Amardeo Sarma Chairman, German Skeptics (GWUP)
Eran Segev President, Australian Skeptics Inc
Law
David Allen Green Solicitor
Jonathan Morgan Fellow in Law, University of Cambridge
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC Barrister and Labour Member of the House of Lords
This statement has been sent to the Department for Culture Media and Sport, No 10 and the Department of Justice on Thursday 4th June and with every additional 1000 names we will be sending the statement again to Government until there is a commitment and a timetable from the parties for the necessary legislation. Next 1000 names here (these will be added as quickly as we can).
Last updated: December 10 2009
Launch of National Campaign for Libel Reform, 9th December 2009
“England’s libel laws are unjust, against the public interest and internationally criticised - there is urgent need for reform” this is the message performers, writers, poets, patient groups, legal experts, broadcasters, journalists and others represented by the Coalition for Libel Reform (English PEN, Index on Censorship and Sense About Science) are sending to politicians urging them to support a bill for major reforms of the English libel laws now, in the interests of fairness, the public interest and free speech.
Today at the launch of the National Campaign for Libel Reform, performers and others urged the public to sign a petition demanding reform of the libel laws, highlighting that for the first time in over a century we have an opportunity to change our unfair and repressive libel laws.
Tomorrow, Thursday 10th, leading academics, medical and science editors, human rights activists and writers will be taking the campaign to Parliament to tell MPs and Peers what the public don’t get to hear under the English libel laws. Advance notice of what they are to say is available under embargo on 9th.
For the full text of the petition and to sign up please see www.libelreform.org
Comments:
Stephen Fry, Broadcaster and Author: “A country with Britain’s history of ancient liberties should be celebrating its part in the development of democracy around the world: instead we cringe with embarrassment at archaic, unfair and illiberal laws on libel that make us a global laughing stock. From true free speech flow cultural richness, political liberty and wider prosperities. Instead, our current laws can be manipulated to protect the corrupt and to hide the truth. They are threatening to throttle the life out of our traditions of openness and freedom and to betray all those who fought over the centuries to keep us free.”
Dara O Briain, Performer and Author: “The English libel laws were supposed to support the principles of decency and fair play that this country has always aspired to. Nowadays though, those values have been dangerously reversed. Is it fair play that multinational companies can use the laws to suppress commentary and criticism? Is it fair play that foreign libel tourists can use the English laws to quash dissent in their own countries? Is it fair play that there is no defence of “public interest” so that important scientific matters, such as public health or dubious medical practices, cannot be properly debated? Is it fair play that the cost of a libel case in England is 140 times the cost in mainland Europe? For journalists, performers, scientists and writers, the libel laws in England are becoming a dangerous joke.”
Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, Journalist and Columnist: “Freedom to write is said to be precious and protected in western democracies. That fundamental principle and the right to disagree with people and institutions is being compromised and threatened by those who use the law not for redress but as a warning to those whose views they resent. Many conscientious journalists and authors are finding their hands and tongues are tied.”
Jonathan Ross, Broadcaster: “The time is now to change these archaic libel laws unless you like the idea of returning to the Dark Ages. Let’s free scientists and journalists to report the truth about science and medicine. You know it makes sense.”
Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor of Theoretical Physics, University of Surrey, Author and Broadcaster: “At a time when scientific honesty and transparency are in the headlines, it is vital that we can all freely question, probe and scrutinize claims that affect society.”
Professor Raymond Tallis, Emeritus Professor of Geriatric Medicine and Author: “I think the public must now know that they should be afraid, very afraid, of the way the libel laws are being used to suppress challenges to dangerous and fraudulent scientific claims.”
Nick Cohen, Journalist: “In its exorbitant costs and institutional bias, the English libel law is the greatest restriction on our right to freedom of expression. Unless we reform it, intelligent debate in this country will wither.”
Roger Highfield, Editor, New Scientist: “England’s libel laws mean that even for people striving to be even handed, for instance in discussing the scientific evidence backing a medical therapy, there’s a chilling atmosphere of fear and uncertainty because of the extraordinary expense of having to defend an action. The biggest losers are the public interest, and most importantly, people’s health. We must defend the freedom of scientists, researchers and journalists to engage in robust criticism of scientific and pseudoscientific work. It is high time politicians reformed the law. This will only come if campaigners maintain the momentum for reform during the forthcoming British general election and beyond.”
Richard Wiseman, Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology, University of Hertfordshire and Author: “England’s libel laws and high legal costs can deter individuals from speaking out against bad science. They should be reformed to help ensure the public get the whole story.”
Ben Goldacre, Medical Doctor and Bad Science Columnist: “Laws that stifle debate harm patients, because in medicine we have seen repeatedly that people can do great harm, even when they intend to do good. So we can’t just tolerate criticism of our ideas and practises: we must welcome it, because criticism is the only way that our ideas and practises improve.”
Mark Le Fanu, Society of Authors: “Authors – particularly those who write biographies of the living or on current affairs – worry a great deal about the risk of being sued for libel as the law is so favourable to claimants. ‘If in doubt, leave it out’ is an unhealthy maxim that authors feel bound to follow. As the law is known to be so helpful to claimants, opportunistic - sometimes wildly extravagant - claims are made by those who can afford to engage lawyers. Authors and publishers feel under pressure to capitulate, regardless of the strength of their case, knowing that defending a libel action is vastly expensive, hugely time-consuming, very worrying and highly unpredictable. That is why we support the campaign to reform the law of libel.”
Natasha Loder, The Economist and President, Association of British Science Writers: “Censorship doesn’t start in the courtroom, it doesn’t start with your editor, it doesn’t even start in the pen, it starts in my brain. The difficulty and cost of defending a libel case mean I am not able to write the truth, which has to be wrong.”
Mark Lewis, Media Lawyer: “Lawyers should be scared of doctors not doctors scared of lawyers.”
Marcus Chown, Author, Journalist and cosmology consultant to New Scientist: “It is depressing and deeply worrying to see the UK libel laws used to gag legitimate scientific debate. If nothing is done to rectify this situation, in the long run all of us, whose lives have been improved by the advances of medicine and science, will suffer.”
Marcus Brigstocke, Writer and Performer: “We urgently need a full review of the way that English libel law affects discussions about evidence. The notion that a scientist with legitimate questions to ask about the veracity of claims made by any practitioner or organisation claiming to serve the public and improve it’s health, should be intimidated into keeping silent for fear that the British legal system will find against him is abhorrent.”
Professor Michael Baum MB, FRCS, ChM, MD, FRCR, Professor Emeritus of Surgery and Visiting Professor of medical humanities, University College London: “The whole scientific community and all those who support evidence and compassion in the care of the sick and all those who think that the search for truth is a laudable activity, must stand shoulder to shoulder with Simon Singh in his fight against a legal system that encourages the propagation of arcane voodoo belief systems whilst inhibiting free speech.”
Diana Garnham, Chief Executive, The Science Council: “Delivery of professional health care should be based on science, not libel laws. It goes without saying that all professional health care scientists must be expected to base their professional practice on scientific methodology, encompassing both a rigorous evidence base and open peer review.”
Professor Les Iversen FRS, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford: “It is shocking that our health service is willing to use taxpayers money to provide alternative treatments that have not been scientifically validated, and even worse is the gagging of journalists who dare to point out the shortcomings of these treatments.”
Nick Ross, Broadcaster: “I spent some time this summer in the high court watching a most unusual libel trial - what made the case so improbable was that the defendant won. Although the verdict was the right one the trial was not an edifying experience. Truth is frequently the casualty of a system that is supposed to ensure truth. A process that purports to protect vulnerable people from pernicious lies more generally protects the rich and acts as a gag on reasonable debate. Just the threat of litigation is often enough to halt rational discussion. And when that gag is applied to science it has particularly distasteful consequences. Science thrives on challenge. It relies on open publication. It can only prosper in an atmosphere of openness. When vested interests seek to censor it we are all endangered. We are now witnessing a spate of legal actions against scientists and science writers. The law suits are against the public interest. And they must galvanise us into reforming the law so that scientists are not bullied into silence in the future.”
Roy Greenslade, Journalist: “I welcome all pressure that is being applied to Government to reform the iniquitous libel laws. We have delayed too long.”
Tracey Brown, Managing Director, Sense About Science: “We have to show politicians that small tinkering with the libel laws won’t do – we need a real public interest defence. Otherwise, there will be more cases like those against Simon Singh and Peter Wilmshurst, and the libel laws will continue to be the tools of well-funded bullies who want to silence criticism.”
Jonathan Heawood, Director, English PEN: “Our libel laws allow people accused of funding terrorism or dumping toxic waste in Africa to silence their critics whilst ‘super-injunctions’ stop the public from even knowing that such allegations exist. We need to reform our libel laws now, and that’s why we’re launching a national campaign to persuade our politicians to do so.”
John Kampfner, CEO, Index on Censorship: “If we don’t act we’re at risk of becoming a global pariah. There are US States who view English libel law as so damaging to free speech they have passed laws to effectively block the decisions of English judges. Our report is an important milestone in modernising our antiquated and chilling approach to free expression.”
Last updated: December 10 2009
Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 20
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.
| Previous 1000 names | Next 1000 names |
Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated
Halley DeLay Journalist,USA
Allan Grant Engineer, Project Manager
Denis Morel Teacher, Japan
Professor Arnold Wilkins Scientist
Brian Wadie Retired Research Scientist
Ricardo Oliveira Nurse, Portugal
Sam Prince IT Manager
Dr Ray Mathias Science Communication Consultant
Donald McIntyre Retired Scientist
Ruth Doherty Student
Elizabeth TaylorPsychologist
David Hopkins Law Enforcement
Henry Street Designer, Engineer
Simon Barber Regulatory Affairs Biotechnology Manager Canada
Gordon Williams Retired Scientist
Wyn Pugh Management Consultant, Managing Director
Grahaeme Lauder Teacher
Donald Mackean Science Teacher/Author
Nicholas Everitt Academic, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Philosophy
Brent Henshaw Manual Worker
Yuri Tchong Tax Consultant, Netherlands
Erica Watson Retired Science Teacher
Nicholas Sale Technologist, Head of Global Practice
Jonathan Smith HR Manager, Talent Manager Europe Russia and Caspian
Bernard J Skillerne de Bristowe Scientist
Alex Gaut , Australia
Garth Carthy , Retired Civil Servant
Ray Essen Science Writer
Jon Haugstad Special Teacher, Norway
Adam Wilson Scientist
Shirley Williams Retired Nurse
Rupert Higgins Student
Robert Hamilton-Bruce Scientist, Collection Manager (molluscs), Australia
Mark Nichols NRM Education Officer, Australia
jon clarke Doctor, Australia
Phil Hyde Veterinary Surgeon
Anders Deleuran Fajstrup Economist,Denmark
Nick Campion Advertising , Account Director
Sally Marullo
Kenneth Shankland Scientist, Reader
Robert Fraser Scientist, Senior Modeller
Robert Cheetham Senior Software Engineer, USA
Francis Turner Mathematician
Charlotte Jago Editor
Mike Roden Writer
Angela Roden Fundraising Consultant
Martin Holtham Teacher
Valerie Howells Associate Lecturer
Christopher Grams Physicist-to-be
Dan Holmes Doctor, Anaesthetic Registrar
Robert Edwards Translator
Steve Hopkins Catering
Nick Evans Lecturer in Radiochemistry
Orjan Berglund Scientist, Sweden
Kerstin Berglund Scientist, Associate Professor, Sweden
Hans Brostrom Scientist, Associate Professor of Surgery, Sweden
Lena Strom Scientist, Senior lecturer, Sweden
Geoffrey Williams scientist, Professor of Applied Linguistics, France
Graham Williams Humanist Celebrant
Michael Raaymakers Banking, Allocation Accountant, USA
Peter Hargreaves JP LLB(Hons) Retired
Gabriel Stein Economist
Kath Stepien
David Howard Retired Headteacher
Nick Preston Clinical Research Fellow
Robert Sinclair Quality consultant, Canada
Day Way Goh Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Australia
Rebecca Brookes Project manager, Canada
cate price GP, Australia
Brian Patrick Otter Retired Programmer
Tony Jenkins IT Academic/Consultant, Senior Partner
Naomi Southern Research Secretary (Health Trials Unit)
Paula Loneragan Account Manager
Stephen Lisney Professor of Physiology
Fergus Strachan Computer Professional
Emma McDonald Scientist, Psychology Demonstrator
Anna Edner Scientist, Senior lecturer, Sweden
Andre Dr. Paul Scientist, Post-Doctoral Research Officer, Australia
Phil Tanner Developer, Webmaster
Pieter Nelson Freelance Lecturer
Julia Hanna Doctor, Australia
Javier Cardona Entrepreneur, CEO, USA
Ben Davidson Doctor
Angelo Lambiris Scientist, Consultant Herpetologist, South Africa
Elizabeth Gabhart Student, USA
Michael Bruorton GP, Australia
Robert Liston Software Developer
Adam Shulman Copywriter, Managing Director
Peter Kilian IT Project Manager
Rachel Forsyth Head of Education
John Ratford Scientist
Carlos Alén Silva Translator, Freelancer, Spain
David Jamieson Coach / Consultant, Principal
James Craig-Gray Retired Scientist, Research Manager
Lee White Scientist
Charles Lee Head of Mathematics
Lisa Suares Law Student
Adam Cribbs Scientist
Ellis Sareen Barrister
Bruce Beckles Scientific Computing Support Specialist
Jay Ongg Software Developer
Monica Lee Scientist, Visiting Professor Northumbria University, Life-Member Lancaster University
Last updated: December 10 2009
Christmas Reading Room 2009
Buy your Christmas gifts from Amazon using the Sense About Science link and part of the proceeds go to Sense About Science!
We’ve collected reading recommendations from some of Sense About Science’s Trustees, Advisory Council, Staff and friends. Every time you purchase one of the books through the flashing links on the right, Amazon will make a small donation to Sense About Science. So make your gift give twice, and bring some great books to your loved ones in the process!
Sense About Science Trustees
Dr Michael Fitzpatrick recommends…
 | Tormented Hope: Nine Hypochondriac Lives by Brian Dillon “A profound and elegantly-written exploration of the troubled interface between mind and body as expressed in the lives and works of literary and historical figures from Charlotte Bronte and Florence Nightingale to Glenn Gould and Andy Warhol.” |
Professor Janet Bainbridge recommends…
| “The film Sliding Doors is ideal watching over the holiday period. Enthralling, easy to follow with a surprising twist at the end. A relaxing film suitable for young and old.” |
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Professor Paul Hardaker recommends…
 | “A bit parochial but I could definitely recommend Mike Hulme’s Why We Disagree about Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity. It is quite a reflective book. I liked it as it explores the cultural references that affect the way in which we think about issues of climate change - something that’s been particularly current in my thinking over recent times. It goes more deeply into the issues about how we view science and uses climate change to explore how belief systems and prejudices affect the decisions we make either individually or as a society.” |
Dr Simon Singh recommends…
 | Inherit the Wind starring Spencer Tracy “I recommended it last year, but it is worth recommending again in light of Darwin’s anniversary and the Old Vic production of the play. If you are looking for a classic film to watch over Christmas or to put in someone’s stocking, then “Inherit the Wind” is now available on DVD. Spencer Tracy stars in this courtroom drama based on the Scopes “Monkey Trial”, in which evolution was in the dock.” |
Can Reindeer Fly? by Roger Highfield “Can Reindeer Fly? is a very festive piece of science writing. Roger Highfield investigates all the scientific aspects of Christmas with wit and charm.” |
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Sense About Science Advisory Council
Professor Sir Colin Berry recommends…
 | The Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes “This deals with the period at the end of the eighteenth century describing what the author calls the second scientific revolution, following Newton, Hooke and Locke in the seventeenth. He links science with romanticism, showing that Science was related to this apparently inimical concept by the sense of wonder that its protagonists often felt. There are engaging accounts of Joseph Banks and the effects of Tahiti, of the “oddball” (my word) Mungo Park, of the extraordinary life of the Herschels and what a very strange man Humphry Davy was. There is much that was new to me - did you know that Penzance Grammar School still has a Davy Holiday? It is not all science and whimsy; the dreadful operation on Fanny Burney’s breast cancer is described in her own words and it is chilling to think that no-one had linked Davy’s experiments with nitrous oxide to the concept of anaesthesia.” |
Dr Christie Peacock recommends…
A Book of Silence by Sara Maitland “For about the last 10 years Sara Maitland has been trying to understand more about silence: what it might mean in 21st century; what effects it has on people; how it has been used and understood in the past; why we are so frightened of it; and why she has come to love it so much.
Her new book is an account of that adventure, a sort of mixture of personal journey and cultural history, both deeply personal and intellectually exciting. In the course of researching and writing the book Maitland spent silent time in silent places - on Skye in the Hebrides; in the Sinai Desert; in forests and mountains; in a flotation tank; in monasteries and libraries. She was trying to match her personal experiences to those of other people - from fairy stories to single-handed sailors, from hermits and romantic poets to prisoners and castaways, from reading and writing to mountaineering and polar exploration, from mythology to psychoanalysis. The book also touches on the science of silence and the difficulty of defining it as well as identifying it when our bodies are quite noisy! It is an unusual and thought proving book. |
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Professor Raymond Tallis recommends…
Three Letter Plague by Jonny Steinberg “It addresses the collision between science-based medicine and traditional bilge in the fight against Aids in South Africa.” |
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Sense About Science Staff
Tracey Brown recommends…
“A History of Histories by John Burrow is a great review of how people have recorded and interpreted events, from the Ancient Greek speeches to the birth of humanist history. I started reading it as a diversion when I was too intensely engaged in work projects to commit to a novel, which is probably why I most enjoyed the early chapters, such as the excursion into the row between Sparta and Athens that led to the Peloponnesian war.” |
“But if you do want to lose yourself in a novel, then I can’t recommend enough Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, the fictionalised account of the rise of Thomas Cromwell. I’m the person who ruins films for others by pointing out implausible details, so I was relieved that it’s easy to trust her scholarship enough to be carried into the power vacuum that preceded the split from Rome and Cromwell’s emergence as the fixer.” |
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 | “Decline of the Public by David Marquand is the book that has influenced my thinking the most this year. While Marquand’s very readable critique of the assaults on civil society and the rise of populism is dispiriting, it inspires some serious thinking about what we should do. You finish it feeling like a man still shipwrecked but now knowing which way land lies.” |
Ellen Raphael recommends…
“If you’re looking for DVDs, I highly recommend Mad Men (seasons one and two). Set in the 1960s it follows life at Sterling Cooper advertising agency on Madison Avenue. Its shot beautifully and is really well written initially capturing America’s post war confidence but as the series goes on reflecting the political, social and cultural changes which transform American society. Roll on season three!” |
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 | “Hans Fallada, Alone in Berlin. First published in 1947 but translated into English this year, is a dark, gripping novel mostly following the working-class Quangel’s small campaign of resistance against the Nazi regime. It’s not a light read but as it’s based on the authors own observations of living in Nazi Germany is frighteningly authentic.” |
“For anyone with children or grandchildren to buy for, my almost 3 year old son loves Peppa Pig and from conversations with other mothers this seems to be universal amongst 3-5yr olds! So I will be buying the Peppa Pig little library for him and all my nieces and nephews.” |
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Leonor Sierra recommends…
 | Hopscotch by Julio Cortazar “The book is divided into 2 parts, half takes part in Paris and the other in Argentina. It has 155 chapters, but 99 are “expendable”, so the main 56 chapters can be read on their own in order, or using the “hopscotch” guide to read the 155 chapters. It is hard to explain what it is about; it feels like it is about everything and I found there is something profoundly sad and lonely about the book and the characters, but also beautiful. Some of the “expendable” chapters read like poetry in prose, and I still often go back to read some of my favourite ones on their own.” |
Julia Wilson recommends…
“Christmas is all about eating! So this year I’m going to recommend the Moro Cookbook. It is full of tasty Spanish, Moorish and Mediterranean recipes. The food is inventive with bold flavours but the recipes are simple enough to follow and so far every dish I’ve made has been good. Some great dishes are grilled sardines with chopped fennel, chilli and garlic and beetroot with a garlicky yoghurt dressing. It is full of recipes for exotic marinades, tapas and mezze.” |
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 | Atonement by Ian McEwan. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a really gripping read and the best McEwan I have read so far. It tells the story of Bryony and the life changing mistake she makes as a young girl, the effects this has on her sister and her sisters lover, and Bryony’s own effort to make amends. It is set before, during and after the Second World War and deals with some really devastating situations and drifts between truth and imagination.” |
VoYS members
Jay Stone recommends…
Head Trip by Jeff Warren “I have only just started this book but I am finding it hard to put down.Warren writes from a personal perspective exploring consciousness and attempts to define exactly what it is. In doing so he discovers it is even more complex then he, or you the reader probably first thought. An enjoyable eye opener!” |
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 | The Resistance by Muse “For their newest album muse decided to go it alone and become their own record producers. The result is a mixed bag of heavy rock songs similar to their ‘Origin of Symmetry’ days, an RnB sound in their new single ‘Undisclosed Desires’ and some big string orchestral melodies in their trilogy of final songs. There really is a song for everyone on this album and with a large back catalogue for any new fan to explore I think it is a must have for anyone’s CD collection!” |
Amanda Hughes recommends…
My Brother is an Only Child starring Elio Germano “Not science-related but still well worth watching, this Italian film was made recently but is set in the 1960s. It follows two brothers growing up in a small town outside Rome, as they define themselves both through their emerging political views and in contrast to each other. This is both hilarious and poignant for anyone who can relate to the trials of sibling rivalry, the confusion of early love, or the bittersweet nature of political idealism.” |
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Friends of Sense About Science
Dr Alan Dangour recommends…
 | Hidden Arguments: political ideology and disease prevention policy by Sylvia Nobel Tesh “This is a fantastic book originally published in 1988 (and a little hard to get hold of) which I was told about by my colleague Prof. Ian Roberts. Using three case studies, Tesh describes how forces working at different levels act to define the causes, and the possible ways to prevent, disease - in essence the clash between science and belief. The section on “why scientists disagree” is worth the cover charge alone!” |
Allen Green, writer of the Jack of Kent Blog recommends…
The Fables comics by Bill Willingham “As a geek I need not apologise for recommending comic books. But there is rather something special about the Fables comics, which have been collected into a fine series of trade paperbacks. Writer Bill Willingham started with a simple idea: what if the characters of folklore, nursey rhymes, and fairy tales were somehow transplanted into our mundane world? Fables begins with King Cole, Prince Charming, Snow White, and many others, in exile from their legendary homelands and living together in a New York towerblock.
As we think we “know” the characters, Fables does not waste any time in initial characterization, and so the reader is pulled quickly into some excellent plots:a murder mystery, a rebellion, a crime caper. And during these plots the politics and romances of the characters develop, and one soon becomes more interested in the Fables character than its counterpart in the original story or rhyme. Matching this superb writing is wonderful art, both on the covers and inside. Fables has already established itself as a modern classic, and it is fortunate that new readers can come on board whilst the stories are still continuing. Start with volume 1 here and enjoy.” |
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Francisca Sankson recommends…
 | Choral Society by Prue Leith “If you are a serious scientist I think a story about three feisty women facing old age, retirement, late love and personal upheavals might provide a welcome bit of escapism.” |
Dr Andrew Russell recommends…
Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth by Apostolos Doxiadis andChristos Papadimitriou “Before reading this, I must confess that I knew very little about Bertrand Russell, graphic novels or the turmoil and subsequent revolution that mathematics underwent in the 20th Century. Now, I want to find out more about all three! Beautifully drawn and well researched, the story takes you through Russell’s personal and professional relationships and struggles. It left me feeling that I’d been introduced to a really important subject (without going into the maths!) that most people are unaware of.” |
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These Books Are Personal Recommendations And Do Not Represent Any Endorsement By Sense About Science
Last updated: December 04 2009
reception
Last updated: November 18 2009
Free Speech Is Not For Sale
On Tuesday 10th November 2009 Index on Censorship and English PEN released the Free Speech Is Not For Sale report on the impact of English libel laws on freedom of expression.
Read Sir Ken McDonald’s speech at the launch of the report here
Simon Singh spoke at the launch, saying: “The report is a stark summary of why authors, journalists, bloggers, scientists and other academics around the world fear being sued for libel in the English courts. America has already realised that there is something fundamentally wrong with our system and is taking action. American states are beginning to pass laws to protect their citizens from libel actions in the English courts. The problem with English libel laws is not so much that they stop me from writing about important issues, but rather that they stop you from reading about such issues. If the US stops exporting its free press to us, this will be the ultimate proof.” Read more here
Last updated: November 11 2009
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Last updated: January 25 2010
Simon Singh has the following message for donors:
Your support now can really help us. Campaigning requires a great deal of effort, time and resources, and additional financial support will help the campaign to have a major influence.
Many people have very generously offered to contribute to my legal costs. At the moment, however, I am able to fund my legal battle, so I am reluctant to accept donations for the time being. Moreover, I think that there are more deserving causes that would very much benefit from donors who are concerned about my case and the state of English libel laws.
We investigated the possibility of a support fund for writers who find themselves in facing a libel action in the future. The harsh reality of English libel laws and their chilling effect is that the best way to help writers is to reform the libel laws.
Your support so far has been great. Please continue to support us by donating to the campaign for libel reform.
Click the ad to take up this offer
Click here to go back to the donate page.
Last updated: November 09 2009
Donate to the libel reform campaign
The campaign to keep libel laws out of science, which you have done so much to build, is going to work with Index on Censorship and EnglishPEN to lobby for libel law reform. The development of manifesto pledges in the run up to the 2010 elections is a unique opportunity to secure commitment to reform.
If you can help us, we can do this now. If everybody who has offered support donates 10 pounds we, along with Index on Censorship and EnglishPEN, will be able to continue meeting with front benchers and advisors who can influence libel law reform, organising and attending national events and producing campaign materials for supporters to use.
See below for how to donate
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Simon Singh has the following message for donors: “Your support now can really help us…” Read on
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Last updated: November 09 2009
Support the Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice
Please fill in the form below if you are scientist with experience of giving advice to the Government, and want to publicly support the Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice. Last updated: November 09 2009
Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice
Senior scientists and scientific advisers issued a statement on 6th November 2009 in response to the controversy following the sacking of Professor David Nutt, chairman of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD). The Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice sets out to Government three principles: academic freedom, independence of operation and proper consideration of advice.
The principles were drafted following several days of intense discussion across the scientific community. They have attracted the support of a number of Chairs and other members of independent Scientific Advisory Committees and have been transmitted to Government for a response.
If you are a scientist with any form of experience of giving advice to the Government and would like to join in endorsing these principles, you can click here to do so electronically, or call Leonor Sierra on 020 7478 4380.
Principles for the Treatment of Independent Scientific Advice
Many factors (cost, public opinion, legal constraints, international obligations etc) might influence the development of policy, but reliable evidence and expert advice provide the crucial foundations of good decision-making.
Expert advice to Government comes from many sources, including external consultants, learned societies and external independent organisations, departmental statisticians and scientists and the Government Chief Scientific Adviser. However, the Government's independent advisory bodies, composed of scientists and other experts who provide their service without payment, play a crucial role. The importance of safeguarding the independence and objectivity of these committees has been explicitly recognised by Government and the wider society since the Phillips Report (2000) into the BSE crisis.
The procedures for obtaining scientific and other expert advice are laid out in the Government's Guidelines on Scientific Analysis in Policy Making. Independent advisers have responsibilities defined by the Government Office for Science’s Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees, as well as the Terms of Reference and Codes for individual bodies, Advisers are expected to offer their best and fairest interpretation of the available evidence and of the range of opinion among experts.
Courtesy, professionalism, and recognition of the division of responsibilities (including the recognition that it is the ultimate responsibility of the Government to decide policy) should underpin the relationship between Government and its independent advisers.
The following Principles, which summarise key features of the relationship between ministers and independent advisers, as expressed in the Codes and Guidelines, are aimed at underpinning the quality and impartiality of evidence and the independence of advisers, as well as recognising the distinctions between evidence, advice and policy. Adherence by Government to these Principles will enhance confidence in the system and will help secure sound evidence and the best advice.
The Principles
- Academic Freedom
Members of independent advisory groups are unpaid experts, most of whom have professional careers and reputations that depend on freedom to express their views openly and without restriction, and which may be of higher priority to them than providing advice to Government.- Members of independent advisory committees are free to communicate about their interpretation of evidence, whether via scholarly publication and conferences, through the general media or to parliament, subject to normal standards of professional conduct and the restrictions in existing Codes of Practice, notably:
- respecting confidentiality,
- not claiming to speak for the Government, and
- making clear whether communication is on behalf of their committees
Where independent advisers are required to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements, for reasons of national security, etc, these should be confined to specified areas of committee work, objectively justified, publicly acknowledged and regularly reviewed.
- Independence of Operation
The ability to attract advisers of the highest quality, and public trust in the advisory system, depend on the actual and perceived independence of advisory bodies. This independence includes the right of advisors to public discussion about evidence and advice that are not accepted by Government, within the constraints of professional conduct.- Appointments to advisory bodies should be made by a transparent process, and on the basis of expertise
- Independent advisory bodies are protected from political and other interference in their work and in communication of their findings
- Advisory committees have the right of access to an independent press office
- The public articulation of advice and discussion of its treatment by Government by advisers, even when that advice has not been accepted by government, cannot, of itself, be grounds for censure, sanction or dismissal.
- Proper Consideration of Advice
Evidence depends on the rigorous analysis of data; advice should be firmly based on evidence but inevitably reflects opinion and interpretation; policy may be influenced by considerations other than expert advice. Both the evidence and the advice provided by expert committees should be thoroughly and seriously considered by ministers.- Reports from committees will be published subject to legitimate constraints. Ministers should not prejudge advisory committee reports by criticising or rejecting them prior to publication.
- If the Government is minded to reject a recommendation, the relevant advisory committee will normally be consulted before a final decision is made
- It is recognised that some policy decisions are contingent on factors other than scientific evidence, but when expert advice is rejected, the expectation is that the reasons would clearly be set out.
- The evidence provided by expert committees does not cease to be valid if their advice is rejected or not reflected in policy
Ministers may choose to challenge or reject advice, but in doing so they should avoid misrepresenting evidence or criticising the individuals giving the advice.
In the case of doubt about the reliability of evidence presented by independent advisers, or the conduct of advisers, ministers should confer with the Government Chief Scientific Adviser.
The Government Chief Scientific Adviser should also be consulted by independent advisers if they feel that the Principles are not being upheld.
We ask the Government to affirm its support for these principles.
THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE HAVE ENDORSED THE PRINCIPLES INDIVIDUALLY, NOT ON BEHALF OF THEIR INSTITUTIONS OR COMMITTEES:
Dr Dima Abdulrahim
Senior researchers, National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse
Member of Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (2002-)
Professor Peter J Aggett OBE FRCP FRCPCH
Emeritus Professor Child Health and Nutrition, University of Central Lancashire
Vice Chair Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition FSA/DH (2000-)
Member Committee on Medical Aspects of Nutrition and Food Policy, DH (1993- 2000)
Chairman of COMA Panel on Nutritional Assessment of Infant Formulas (1995-1996)
Chairman of COMA Working Group on Nutritional Status of the Population (1995-1998)
Vice Chairman Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment DH/FSA (1998-2003; Member 1993- 2003)
Chair of COT Working Group on Variability and Uncertainty in Toxicology Risk Assessment (2007)
Chairman of COT Working Group on Food Intolerance in the Population (1997-2000)
Vice Chair of COT Working Group on Risk Assessment of Mixtures of Pesticides and similar Substances (2000-2002)
Member Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (1994-2000 & 2002-3)
Member European Commission Scientific Committee on Food (1993-96)
Professor Peter Atkins FRSC
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of Oxford
Fellow, Lincoln College, Oxford
Former chairman, IUPAC Committee on Chemistry Education
Professor Jon Ayres FRCP FFOM
Chair, Committee on Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)
Chair, Advisory Committee on Pesticides (ACP)
Professor Anthony T Barker
Consultant Clinical Scientist, Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Member of SAGE, government funded Stakeholder Advisory Group on ELF EMFs
Professor David Barnett CBE MD FRCP
Emeritus Professor of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Leicester
Chair Appraisals Committee for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (1999 - 2009)
Professor Sir Colin Berry
Emeritus Professor of Pathology, Queen Mary London
Chairman, Advisory Committee on Pesticides (1988 – 1999); Member (1981–1988)
Chairman, Scientific Sub-Committee on Pesticides (1985 – 1988); Member (1977-1985)
Chairman, Committee of Dental and Surgical Materials (1982 – 1992); Member (1978-1981)
Member, Toxicology Group, Expanded Programme on Human Reproduction, World Health Organization (1979-1992)
Member, Committee of Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (1984-1989)
Member, Committee on Safety of Medicines (1990–1992)
Member, Committee on Safety of Medicines Advisory Panel (1994-2002)
Member, Scientific Committee for Pesticides of the Commission of the European Communities (1985 – 1989)
Professor Sheila M. Bird CStat FFPH
MRC Biostatistics Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge
Member of Scientific Pandemic Influenza Advisory Committee
Inaugural chair of Home Office's Surveys, Design and Statistics Subcommittee and member of Home Office's Scientific Advisory Committee (2004-2009)
Member of Medicines Commission (1991-1995)
First Statistician Member of Appraisal Committee for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ( 1999-2005)
Member of Ad Hoc TSE/BSE Sub-Group of EC Scientific Steering Committee (1999 - 2003)
Member of Scientific Committee for European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) (2001-2005)
Member of Arrestees Survey Scientific Advisory Group (2003 – 2006)
Member of Government Chief Scientist's Review Panel on use of science by Home Office (2007)
Member of Medical Research Council /Department Health Research Advisory Group on TSEs (1998-2004)
Member of Research Council/Department of Health Steering Group for Studies of the prevalence of detectable PrP^SC (1999- 2004).
Professor Janet Bainbridge
Chair of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (1997- 2003)
Chair of the GM Organisms (contained use) Advisory Committee
Formerly Vice President Government and Europe of the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI)
Chair of the HSE Committee Scientific Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification (2003 - )
Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (1997 - 2003)
Member of ACRE (Advisory Committee on Releases into the Environment)
Member of the MHRA Borderline substances review group
Former Senior Specialist Advisor (Government and Europe) OneNorthEast Regional Development Agency
Dr Margaret Birtwistle
General Practitioner Consultant in Addictive Behaviour
Senior Tutor in Addictive Behaviour, St Georges, University of London
Member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD)
Professor Colin Blakemore FMedSci FRCP (Hon) FIBiol (Hon) FRS
Professor of Neuroscience, Oxford University
Chair of the Food Standards Agency's General Advisory Committee on Science
Chair of the Health Protection Agency’s Electromagnetic Fields Discussion Group
Commissioner of the UK Drug Policy Commission
Professor Sir Walter Bodmer FRS FMedSci
Head of Cancer and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Oxford University
Former Chairman, National Radiological Protection Board (NPRB, now part of HPA)
Former President, Royal Statistical Society
Former Director General, ICRF (now part of CRUK)
Formerly member of the Advisory Board of the Research Councils
Formerly member of the Biology Board of the Medical Research Council
Professor Alan R Boobis OBE FSB CBiol FBTS
Dept of Experimental Medicine and Toxicology, Division of Investigative Science, Imperial College London
Member of UK Advisory Committee on Pesticides (1997-2002)
Deputy chairman (2000-2002)
Chairman of Medical and Toxicology Panel (2000-2002)
Member of the Veterinary Residues Committee (2001-2004)
Member of the European Food Safety Authority Scientific Panel on Plant Health, Plant Protection Products and their Residues (PPR) (2003-2009); vice-chair from 2006-2009
Member of European Food Safety Authority Scientific Committee Working group on the Benchmark Dose (2006-2009)
Member of European Food Safety Authority Scientific Committee Working Group on Risk-Benefit Assessment (2007-)
Member of the European Food Safety Authority Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) (2009-)
Member of WHO Expert Advisory Panel on Food Safety (1997-)
Member of the Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticide Residues (1999-); Chair/vice-chair (2003-2007)
Member of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (Residues of Veterinary Drugs) (1997-)
Member of HPA Board Sub-Committee for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards (2005-)
Member of Committee on Carcinogenicity (2003-)
Member of Committee on Toxicity (2003-); vice-chair from 2008
Professor Gustav Born FRCP FRS
Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, University of London
Member, Committee on Inquiry on the Relationship of the Pharmaceutical Industry with the National Health Services (1965-1967)
Lord Broers Kt FRS
Past President, Royal Academy of Engineering
Past President, now Member, House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee
Past Member, CST
Ian Brown OBE FRCP FFOM
Chairman of the Pesticide Residues Committee
Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs
Member of the General Advisory Committee on Science
Member of the Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances
Professor Alan Bundy
Professor of Automated Reasoning, University of Edinburgh
Scottish Scientific Advisory Council
Professor David Coggon FMedSci
Occupational and Environmental Health, MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, Southampton University
Chair, Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (2008 - )
Member, Operation TELIC Health Research Programme Review Board (2003 - )
Chair, Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme Management Committee (2008 - )
FSA General Advisory Committee on Science (2008 - )
Chair of the Depleted Uranium Oversight Board (Ministry of Defence) (2001-2007)
Chair of the UK government’s Advisory Committee on Pesticides (2000-05)
Member of the Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (Health Protection Agency)
Member of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
Member of the Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards
Member of the Stewart Committee on Mobile Phone Technology
Sir David Cox FRS
Former President, Royal Statistical Society
Professor Robert Curnow
Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health
Epidemiology Sub-Group of the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee
Former President, Royal Statistical Society
Professor Dame Kay Davies CBE DBE FMedSci FRS
Head of Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford
Professor Anthony D Dayan DM FRCP FRCPath FFPM FFOM
Emeritus Professor of Toxicology, St Bertholomews and the Royal London Hospitals, QMC, University of London
Former member of Medicines Commission Veterinary Products
Former member of Gene Therapy Advisory Committee
Former member of Committee on Toxicity
Former member of Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP)
Former member of Advisory Committee on Pesticides
Former member of Industrial Injuries Advisory Council
Advisory Committee on Animal Experimentation
Advisory Committee on Radiation in the Environment
Advisory Committee on Industrial Chemicals
Dr Peter M B English
Consultant in Communicable Disease Control, Health Protection Agency
Various bodies relating to vaccination, including National Child Health Immunisations Programme Board
Professor Peter Farmer
Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester
Chair of Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COM)
Member of Committee on Carcinogenicity (COC)
Member of General Advisory Committee on Science (GACS)
Professor Malcolm Ferguson-Smith FRS
Emeritus Professor of Pathology, University of Cambridge
Member of Committee, BSE Inquiry
Lord Flowers FRS
Former Rector, Imperial College London
Former Chairman, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
Professor Sir Richard Gardner FRS
Honorary Professor and Emeritus Royal Society Professor, Universities of Oxford and of York
Advisory Board for the Research Councils 1988-1992
Diana Garnham
Chief Executive, The Science Council
Chair DBIS Science and Society Science for Careers Expert Group
Professor Azra Ghani
Member of Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (2007- )
Professor John Geddes
Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry, University of Oxford
Member, Technology Appraisal Committee, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2003- )
Member, Health Services and Public Health Research Board, Medical Research Council (2006-2008)
Member, Neuroscience and Mental Health Board, Medical Research Council (2008- )
Christine Gratus
Independent 'lay' representative Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (2003 - )
Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee (2006 - )
Professor Peter Green FRS
Professor of Statistics, University of Bristol
Former President, Royal Statistical Society
Professor Norman N Greenwood FRS
Emeritus Professor, University of Leeds
Member of numerous Government Boards and Advisory Committees during a period of over 40 years
Professor Andrew P. Grieve BSc MSc PhD
Division of Health & Social Care Research, Department of Public Health Sciences, King's College
Member of UK Food Standards Agency Working party on Variation and Uncertainty in Toxicology Working Party (2004 - 2005)
Member of Commission on Human Medicines Ad Hoc Expert Group on Bioequivalence (2007 - )
Member of Commission on Human Medicines Expert Advisory Group on Clinical Trials (2007 - )
Member of Commission on Human Medicines Ad Hoc Expert Group Antibiotics in pre-term labour (2008-2008)
Professor Hugh Griffiths FREng
Thales/Royal Academy of Engineering Chair of Radio Frequency Sensors, University College London
Chair, Campaign for Science & Engineering
Professor David Hand
President, Royal Statistical Society
Professor Rosemary Hails MBE
Section Head, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Member of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment
Member for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Environment Working group
Chair, Natural Capital Initiative
Dr Matthew Hickman
Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs
Professor Christopher F Higgins FRSE FRSA FMedSci
Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Durham University
Chair, Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee (SEAC)
Professor Sir Gabriel Horn FRS
Emeritus Professor, Department of Zoology, Cambridge
Chairman, Working Party Report to Department of Health, Brain science, addiction and drugs Acad Medical Science (2008)
Chairman, Working Party Report to DEFRA, Review of the origin of BSE (2001)
Chairman, Cambridge University Government Programme (1997-2007)
Professor Sir Brian Hoskins CBE FRS
Meteorology Department, University of Reading
Director of the Grantham Institute, Imperial College
Member of Climate Change Committee
Chair Science Review of UKCP09 for Defra, Jan 2009
Professor Peter Hudson FRS
Director of Life Sciences, Penn State University
Previous Science Advisor to The House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture
Professor Will Irving
Professor of Virology, University of Nottingham
Advisory Group on Hepatitis: Member (1998-2005), Deputy Chair (2006-08), Chair (2009-)
Member of the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (2003-)
Co-opted Member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs Hepatitis C Prevention Working Group (2007-09)
Chair of the Trent Cohort Study of Patients infected with Hepatitis C Virus
Professor Les Iversen FRS
Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, University of Oxford
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD (2003- )
Professor Alan Jackson
Professor of Human Nutrition, University of Southampton
Chair, Scientific Advisory Committee, Food Standards Agency / Dept of Health (2000-)
Member, Committee on Medical Aspects of Food & Nutrition Policy (COMA), Dept of Health (1991-2000)
Chairman, Working Expert Group on diet & Cancer to COMA, Dept of Health (1993 – 1998)
Member, Working expert Group on the Nutritional Status of the Population, and Folic Acid Subgroup to COMA, Dept of Health (1995 - )
Professor Michael J Kelly FRS FREng
Prince Philip Professor of Technology, University of Cambridge
Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Communities and Local Government Former Member of the Defence Scientific Advisory Council
Professor Christopher Kennard FMedSci
Head, Department of Clincal Neurology, University of Oxford
Chairman, Neuroscience and Mental Health Board, Medical Research Council
Dr Leslie A King
Former member of the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (2008-2009)
Sir John Kingman FRS
Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge
Chairman, Science & Engineering Research Council (1981-85)
Chairman, Statistics Commission (2000-03)
Lord Krebs Kt FRS FMed Sci
Principal, Jesus College, Oxford
Chairman of the UK Food Standards Agency (2000-2005)
Member and Chair of sub-group for UK Climate Change Committee
Chairman of the Royal Society's Science Policy Advisory Group
Chairman, UK Science and Technology Honours Committee
Chair, enquiry by the Science and Technology Select Committee into Nanotechnology and Food (2009)
Professor Chris Leaver CBE FRS FRSE
Emeritus Professor of Plant Science, University of Oxford
Former member of ACOST
Member of GM Science Review
Lord Lewis of Newnham FRS
Former Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Cambridge
Former Chairman, Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
Professor Denise Lievesley CStat ACSS
Professor of Social Statistics and Head of School of Social Science and Public Policy, King's College London
Former president of the Royal Statistical Society and the International Statistical Institute
Professor Peter Liss CBE FRS
Professorial Fellow, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
Global Environmental Change Committee
Marine Science Coordination Committee: Chair of Marine Data and Information Network, and Chair Underwater Sound Forum
Dr Robin Lovell-Badge FRS
Head of Division, Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, MRC National Institute for Medical Research
Co-opted member, Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee of the HFEA
Ad hoc advice to Government and Parliament on issues to do with embryology, stem cells and genetics, for example leading up to the HFE Act (2008)
Dr John Marsden
Reader in Addiction Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD (2005 - 2009)
Professor Duncan Maskell
Head, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge
Marks and Spencer Professor of Farm Animal Health, Food Science and Food Safety
Professor Peter Matthiessen
Independent Consultant in Ecotoxicology
Member of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, and its Environmental Panel
Former member of the Biocides Consultative Committee
Lord May OM AC Kt FRS
Joint Professorship Oxford University and Imperial College, London
Former President of The Royal Society (2000-2005)
Former Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government
Head of the UK Office of Science and Technology (1995-2000)
Member of the UK Government’s Climate Change Committee
Klim McPherson PhD FFPH FMedSci
Visiting Professor of Public Health Epidemiology, University of Oxford
Chair, NICE PDG on prevention of CVD in populations
Chair, National Heart Forum
Member Cross Government expert group on obesity
Member of CSM (1997-2003)
Member Expert groups on women's health (2004-2009)
Expert advisor to ACMD (2003-2008)
Professor John McWhirter FRS FREng
Distinguished Research Professor, School of Engineering, Cardiff University
Former Government Scientist (MoD)
Former President of the Institute of Mathematics (IMA)
Chair of the Council of Mathematical Sciences
Professor Tom Meade DM FRCP FMedSci FRS
Emeritus Professor of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Chairman (1976) and member of Joint Standing Sub-Committee on Screening in Medical Care (1972-77)
Member of Adverse Reactions Sub-Committee of Committee on Safety of Medicines (1976-82)
Member of joint CSM/JCVI Sub-Committee on Adverse Reactions to Vaccines and Immunological Products (1980-82)
Member GO-Science Review of Department of Health (2007-2008)
Dr Fiona Measham
Senior Lecturer in Criminology, Lancaster University
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD
Professor John E Moore
Clinical Microbiologist, Belfast City Hospital
Professor Neville Moray
Emeritus Professor of Applied Cognitive Psychology, University of Surrey
Member of the HSE Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee
Professor Richard Morris FRS
Professor of Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh
Coordinator, Foresight Project on Cognitive Systems, Office of Science and Technology, DTI (2002-2006)
Professor Denis Noble CBE FRS Hon FRCP
Emeritus Professor and Director of Computational Physiology, University of Oxford
Chairman of Joint Dental Committee (MRC and Departments of Health) 1984-1990
Former Member of government Advisory Group on Science and Technology in Japan
Member of government Advisory Group on Science, Technology and Industry in Korea (DTI) 1994-2004
Member of Advisory Group on non-ionizing radiation (AGNIR), Health Protection Agency (HPA)
Chairman of sub-group of AGNIR on Ultrasound
Professor Sir Paul Nurse FRS
President, Rockefeller University
Member of Council of Science and Technology
Professor David J Nutt MRCP MRCPsych FRCPsych FMedSci
Edmond J SafraChair in Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College London
Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD); member (2000-2009); chair (2008-2009)
Professor Richard Perham FRS FMedSci
Emeritus Professor of Structural Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
Sir Richard Peto FRS
Professor of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, University of Oxford
Member of former DH Scientific Advisory Committee on Tobacco or Health
Professor David H Phillips
Institute of Cancer Research, The Royal Marsden
Chair, Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment
Member of Committee on Mutagenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment
Member of General Advisory Committee on Science
Professor Michael Pilling
Chair, Air Quality Expert Group 2001-2009
Professor Chris Pollock CBE
Director of the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Aberystwyth University
Chair of the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment (ACRE) (1999-)
Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of the First Minister of Wales (Welsh Assembly Government)
Chair of the independent Scientific Steering Committee for the programme of farm-scale evaluations of GM crops
Chair, Defra Research Priorities Group for Sustainable Farming and Food
Professor Guy Poppy
Head of School, Biological Sciences, University of Southampton
Advisory work for EU, EFSA and DEFRA on the environmental risks of GM crops (1996-)
Member of Prime Minsiters Strategy Unit evaluation team of GM crops (2003-2004)
Member of Parliamentary and Scientific Committee Delegation to China (2000)
Dr Ian Ragan
Former Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD (2008-2009)
Professor Chris Rapley CBE
Director, Science Museum
Professor of Climate Science, University College London
Professor Sir Michael Rawlins
Chairman, National Institute of Health & Clinical Excellence (NICE)
Chairman, Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (1998-2008)
Professor David J Read FRS
Former Vice President of the Royal Society
Chair of Forestry Commission Advisory Board on Forest Research
Lord Rees of Ludlow
President of the Royal Society
Professor John Shepherd FRS
Professorial Research Fellow, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton
Member, DEFRA Scientific Advisory Committee & Council (2002-2009)
Professor Brian G Spratt CBE FRS FMedSci
Professor of Molecular Microbiology, Imperial College London
Chair, Royal Society Working Group on Health Hazards of Depleted Uranium Munitions (2000-2003)
Member, Depleted Uranium Oversight Board, Ministry of Defence (2001-2006)
Chair, Independent Review of Safety of Facilities Handling Foot and Mouth Disease Virus, DEFRA 2007
Member, Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (1997-2001)
Independent Review for Ministry of Defence on The Health Hazards of the Large-scale Release of Bacteria during the Dorset Defence Trials 1999
Member of Council, Defence Scientific Advisory Council (2005-2008)
Professor Terence Stephenson
President, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
Member, Committee on Safety of Medicines
Professor Trevor Stuart FIC FRS
Emeritus Professor and Senior Research Fellow, Imperial College London
Member, Council of Science and Engineering Research Council (1989-1994)
Former President of the London Mathematical Society (2000-2002)
Professor Joyce Tait CBE FRSE
Scientific Adviser, ESRC Innogen Centre, University of Edinburgh
Chair, Nuffield Council on Bioethics Working Party on 'New Approaches to Biofuels'
Member, Scottish Science Advisory Council
Member, Industry and Science Expert Group
UK Government Cabinet Office Strategy Unit Study on Costs and Benefits of GM Crops
Ex-President, Society for Risk Analysis, Europe
Professor Martin Taylor FRS
Physical Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society
Dr Polly Taylor MRCA MRCVS
European Veterinary Specialist in Anaesthesia
Honorary Senior Lecturer, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol br>
Member of Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, ACMD (2002 - )
Professor Dame Jean Thomas DBE FRS FMedSci
Biological Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society
Professor of Macromolecular Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
Hazel Thornton
Honorary Visiting Fellow, Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester Independent 'Lay' Member, Steering Group for the Department of Health NHS Connecting for Health Public Consultation on the Additional Uses of Patient Data
Professor M P Vessey CBE FRS FMedSci
Emeritus Professor of Public Health, University of Oxford
Chairman, Advisory Committee on Bowel Cancer Screening
Member, MHRA Women's Health Expert Advisory Group
Member, HPA Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation: Subgroup on Solid Cancer Risk
Professor Vincent Walsh
Professor of Human Brain Research, UCL
Office of Science & Technology Foresight Life Sciences panel (2002-2003)
Royal Society Animal Sciences Committee (2001 - 2009)
Medical Research Council Quinquennial Review Committee of Cognition and Brain Unit, Cambridge (2009)
Medical Research Council Cognitive Neuroscience Strategy Group (2009)
Medical Research Council Neuroscience & Mental Health Board (2005-2010)
Medical Research Council Basic Research Oversight Group (2005-2008)
Professor Robin A Weiss FRS FMedSci
Professor of Viral Oncology, University College London
Former President of the Society for General Microbiology
Former member of the Department of Health Expert Advisory Group on AIDS
Former member of the Department of Health Gene Therapy Advisory Committee
National Biological Standards Board
The Board of the Food Standards Agency has also endorsed the statement. See here.
If you are a scientist with any form of experience of giving advice to the Government and would like to join in endorsing these principles, you can click here to do so electronically, or call Leonor Sierra on 020 7478 4380.
Last updated: March 03 2010
Science and Policy
***UNDER CONSTRUCTION***
Last updated: November 03 2009
Making Sense of Weather and Climate
***Under construction***
Last updated: November 02 2009
Making Sense of Screening
Scientists, clinicians and medics have come together to express their concerns that public expectations about screening don’t match what screening programmes can deliver.
High profile cases, such as Kylie Minogue’s treatment for breast cancer and Jade Goody’s death from cervical cancer, have made screening an emotive and politicised subject. They have led to demands (and political promises) that more sections of the population should be included in screening programmes, for longer and more frequently. They have prompted complaints that screening programmes are dictated purely by financial calculations. Amidst all this, the limitations and possible harms from screening have been largely lost from public view and this has led to unrealistic expectations of what screening can deliver.
By addressing misconceptions about how screening works, its limitations and the calculation of benefits and harms, the scientists and clinicians hope to bridge the gap between the active debates of the scientific community and the concerns raised by the public.
In the guide, Making Sense of Screening, they explain that screening:
- rarely benefits all sections of the population and it can have negative effects, so it needs to be targeted at those most likely to benefit.
- can identify some of the people who have a disease but it cannot prevent disease.
- cannot give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer and an ‘all clear’ does not mean you will not go on to develop the disease.
Comments:
Anne Mackie, Director of Programmes, UK National Screening Committee: “I very much welcome this guide. People often think screening is instinctively a good thing; how could finding something early possibly be otherwise? It is crucial that, as the number of screening programmes offered rises, everyone understands what screening can and cannot do for them and so is able to decide for themselves.”
Professor Sir Muir Gray, Chief Knowledge Officer of the NHS: “Sense About Science has hit the nail on the head again; this is accurate and clear and should be read by all health professionals as well as by members of the public. Those who run screening programmes have a difficult job and better understanding about the risks, harms and benefits of screening will make their job easier, not more difficult.”
Síle Lane, Sense About Science: “Sense About Science this year experienced a huge rise in public concerns about screening. Many people are worrying that they are being denied important healthcare. No wonder they felt like that. When we reviewed internet forums and health stories, we found that there was hardly any reference to the calculations of benefits and harms, which specialists kept telling us were vital to deciding who to screen and for what.”
Martyn Lobley, GP and columnist: “This report should be left lying around in bus stations, fast food joints and by supermarket checkouts so that the people who really need screening, the “Not Worried Well” who don’t see their GP from one year to the next, might be persuaded to get with the programme.”
Hedley Glencross, The Institute of Biomedical Science: “Screening has become a high-profile issue and is the topic of much public debate, not least due to the individual stories that have been widely reported in the popular media. Screening though is often a poorly understood healthcare initiative whose benefits and limitations need to be explained.”
Professor Peter Furness, President, Royal College of Pathologists: “Screening for disease looks like a really simple concept, but actually it’s rather complicated. If you don’t know the difference between a screening test and a diagnostic test, you should read this booklet.”
Caroline Wright, Head of Science, PHG Foundation: “This is a timely report; advances in genetics are offering us exciting new opportunities for improved screening, but it is important to be clear that - just like other tests - genetics is not a crystal ball and the risks and benefits must always be carefully weighed up.”
Joe O’Meara, Government Affairs Officer, The Association of Clinical Biochemistry: “There is a great deal of discussion going on about screening both in the public arena and in private. I believe that this publication provides the factual information needed to inform those discussions and to help people make the best decisions for themselves on the matter.”
Coverage
Marie Stopes International Charity warns over screening issues
The Scotsman Warning of limitations and harm of screening for diseases
Mediwatch Blogspot Making Sense of Screening, by Sense About Science
BMJ Report calls for public education on screening to ensure more realistic expectations
Phg foundation New publication to help the public understand screening
Times Online Breast screens blamed for unneeded ops
Medical News Today DIY Health Screening Not Necessarily A Good Idea
The Prostate Cancer CharityThe Prostate Cancer Charity comments on the launch of a new guide to screening
Last updated: November 13 2009
Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 19
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.
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Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated
William McCollough USA
Stu Ward Salesman
Richard Hughes IT Professional
Carl Cusumano Firefighter, United States
Harjot Singh Physician, Assistant Professor In Clinical Psychiatry, USA
Andrew McKnight Electronics Engineer
Yvonne Lumsden Carer
Gavin Kingsley Engineer, New Zealand
John Butler Retired
Buddhini Samarasinghe Scientist, Postgraduate student
Phil Gardiner Performing arts tutor
John David Hughes Retired Teacher
William Arthurs Researcher/ writer, Chairman
Neil Mountford Student
Clare Wain
Mark Carrell Computer Programmer, United States of America
Peter Hannam IT Consultant
Margret Geraghty Writer
Chris Gilson Researcher
Chris London College Instructor, Canada
Posie Nerberka Coffee house barista
Pamela J. McCully scientist, Validation Engineer Clinical Instrumentation, USA
Christoffer Nellaker scientist, Postdoctoral Fellow
Robert Schneider Management Consultant, Managing Director
Sean O'Leary Company Director
John Lackie Scientific Consultant
Volker Strom scientist, Research Fellow
James Mercer Chartered Engineer, Retired Managing Director
Liam Dyer
Christopher Thurtle Instructor, USA
Alex Cockburn IT Manager
Celia Mercer Retired Finance Director
Roland Backhouse Scientist, Professor of Computing Science
Thomas Grindle
Patricia Ann Melsom journalist, Norway
Geraint Harker scientist, Postdoc in astronomy, USA
Peter Rodgers scientist, Senior Lecturer
Stefan Anderson Engineer
Jared Zuercher Law Student, USA
Lawson Gold IT Systems Architect
John Ellis F.R.S. Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences
David Thrussell Student
Paul Craig Manager, Northern Ireland
John Widdicombe Emeritus Professor of Physiology
Paul Guider Civil Engineer
Tony Magnusson journalist, editor
John Leane retired scientist,
Arup Guha Computer Scientist Lecturer, USA
Ingeborg Leane
Thomas Simpkins Student
Julian Chappell
Lucas Dixon Research Scientist
Andrea Wilder theatre director
Riley Williams II Student, USA
Richard Foster-Turner Scientific Instrumentation
Mauro Guerra scientist, Phd Student, Portugal
Neil Bazley IT Professional, Canada
Katherine Heathcote Veterinary Surgeon
John Howse scientist, Professor
David Brocklebank
Neil Sinnett Teaching assistant
Charlotte Lowey Student
Lee John Faulkner Actuary
Peter Strugnell Software Developer
Amanda Pau scientist, Forensic Chemist, Forensic Chemist, USA
Charlotte Woodhouse scientist, Doctor
Adam Norwood Comedy writer
Davide Spinello scientist, Assistant Professor, Canada
Bernie Robinson Law Tutor
Paul Gonzalez Construction Estimator, United States
Clive Nicholls Retired Teacher
James Garveylvnv Business Owner
Terry Stagg Retiree
Sriram Govindarajan Student, India
David Gibbs Ecologist
Jonathan Mahoney Systems Analyst
Bernard Fleming Housing researcher
Ryan Marsh Software Developer
Marwan Azar Doctor/Scientist, US
Karl Pollitt Environmental Chemist
Su Pendegrass
Fraser Gibb Physician, Clinical Research Fellow
John Greatrex
Kai Kimppa Scientist, Lecturer, Finland
Kyle Clements Artist, Canada
David Millichamp Retired company director
Jeremy Garner Solicitor
Ricjar
Richard Edwards Emeritus Professor
Andrew Wright retired doctor
George Winkley scientist, Retired Industrial Chemist
David McHardy Student
Martin Hughes Teacher
Katie Carmichael Graphic Designer, Student
Andre Wognum Designer, Art Director, Sweden
Hazel Pegg mother
Sarah Prince-Wright Receptionist
Stuart Atton Electronics Engineer
Odette Smith
Adolfo Games Veterinarian, USA
Pieter Kok Lecturer in Theoretical Physics,
Jessica Holsinger science/ engineering student, USA
Gustaf Eriksson Dental surgeon/Internet Marketer
Mark Smith Project Co-ordinator
John Clapperton Software Engineer
Rehmi Post scientist, USA
Rob Treu Handyman
Janet Ellis
Peter Sheppard Teacher
Stephen Porter Sales assistant
Alice Carver Law student
Ben Paul IT Specialist
Fred Le Jannou Sales associate
Oystein Nordvik IT consultant and teacher, Norway
Richard Bryant Financial Director
Gareth Haines Scientist, Student
Brendan Cameron Scientist, Canada
Virginia Kelker Journalist, USA
Seth Sowerby Software Engineer
Roger Barnett Manager
John Sheppard Retired Chemist and IT Consultant
Max Norman Student
Sam Atkinson Entrepreneur
Emma Luxton -Reilly Teacher, New Zealand
Lisa Ronan scientist, Research Associate
Stephen Pennington Professor of Proteomics, Ireland
Craig Smith Legal Assistant
Jonathan Newton Journalist
Dave Donnelly Journalist, Ireland
Stuart McInnes Doctor
Seamus Ruane Engineer
Bruce MacGillivray Retired Neurologist
Timothy Pierson Corporate Writer and Speaker, Teacher/Trainer, USA
Tem Isigollu Engineer
Ishmael Wolfe
Christopher Johnson IT Industry
James Bednar Scientist, Lecturer
Yvonne Cassidy Retired medical translator
Adrian Allen Retired Telecoms Consultant, GB
Julian Thomas Computer Games Developer, Central Technology Group Manager
Anders Smith Student, USA
Jack Ross Medical Student
Haran Ramachandran Physician, Resident in Neurosurgery, USA
Ryan Turner Educator, Science Visualizer, USA
John Hart
Andrew Lowe Veterinarian, USA
Gregory Clarke Programmer, Australia
Keith Martin-Smith Antarctic Marine Conservation Scientist, Australia
David Waalkes I.T. Business Analyst, U.S.A.
Eric McCabe Graduate Student, USA
Brian DeWeese Software Developer, USA
Kamesh Aiyer Engineer, USA
John McAuliffe Rep of Ireland
Helen Pollard
Alec Clews Software Consultant, Australia
Jason da Silva Australia
Judith Sansom Hotelier
Alex Laude scientist, Researcher
Trevor Stephenson Scientist
Ann Lingard novelist
Joanna Livingston Retired lecturer
Omar Malik Author
Margaret Groocock Retired property consultant
David Bartholomew Innovation consultant
Adrian Gardiner IT Consultant, Proprietor
Steven Walton Business Analyst
Ian Hill scientist, PhD student
Tomoko Kamishima scientist
David Sterratt scientist, Research Fellow
Rowan Hughes Software Engineer, Ireland
Stephen Seddon Aviation Quality Manager
Carmen Diaz-Gutierrez Historian, Spain
Fiona Tilston-Jones Volunteer Adviser
Anne von Bennigsen
Niamh Brennan Librarian, Ireland
Huw Sheppard Geologist
Dr Taj Bhutta Careers Officer
Fraser Wyeth Bank worker
Anthony Hartland Retired Scientistp>
Alexander Peake Computer engineer
Elizabeth Moursy
Rob Moore Youth worker
John Quayle Scientist, Senior lecturer, Merseyside
John Auld Veterinary Surgeon
Haytham Kubba Surgeon
Chantruyen Ho Student, USA.
Martin Richards Petroleum Reservoir Engineer
Dr. Robert Portsmouth Historian , part-time lecturer, Ireland
Ruth MacGillivray Retired GP
Jon Hall Student
ADG Stewart Engineer
Sam Carson Senior Educational Psychologist
Richard Shepherd Engineer
Ian McAnany Scientist, Chief Engineer
Steve Wharton IT Analyst
John Spalding
Keith Redhead Scientist, Research Project Manager
Stephen Beckwith Town planner
Stephen Thomas Project Manager
Victor Hayman Substance Misuse Project Worker
Paul Entwistle
Frances Follin Art historian
Andy Clark Philosopher, Professor of Logic and Metaphysics
Jeremy Thomas Fire Investigator
Mark Buckley Pharmacist
Alan Stevenson Scientist
Olivia Stevenson Retired Librarian
Marc Imig
Michael Pryor Barrister
Sarah Evans IT Consultant
Leslie Klenerman Emeritus Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery
John Thompson Geologist/Engineer
Sarah-Beth Amos
Mick Tierney
Margarete Earle
H.J. (Dik-Jan) Kooy Netherlands
Neil McLatchie Student
David Karfoot
Bruce Palling Journalist
Kevin Langley Scientist, Consultant
Michael Azoff IT Industry Analyst
Ellen Solomon Professor of Human Genetics,
Karen Spector Clinical Psychologist
John Spector Clinical Psychologist
Colin Raban Academic, Director of Quality Enhancement
Geoff Pyne Economist
Susan Pyne Operational Research
Joao Magueijo Professor of Physics
Hugh Logan Ellis Student
Albert Huerta Office Supervisor, United States
Benjamin Monreal Scientist, Assistant Professor of Physics, USA
Mark Ridgewell
Christopher Luff Law Student
Marc Smit Netherlands
Andrew Street Scientist, Medical Writer
Chris Ramko Medicine, Cardiovascular Technologist, USA
James Carson Actuary, USA
Niall Kelly
Don Sannella Scientist, Professor of Computer Science
John Robb Engineer, Development
Alan Ford Retired University Lecturer in History and Theory of Art
Richard Thickett
Rory Parle Software Engineer
Gareth Francis Student
George Galbraith-Albutt Attorney, USA
Robert Carson Retired from Electronic Engineering
Nathaniel` Hawkiing Law student/writer/blogger
Eileen Kinson
Yuhong Yuan Scientist, Canada
Anil Jagalur Engineer, India
Barry Johnstone NZ
Jarek Bryk Scientist, Germany
Laurie Mathieson Retired Hotelier
Paul Eastwood Business Manager, Service Director
Mark Curtis Business and Commerce CEO
Garry Donaldson
Geoffrey Pallant Insurance Claims Manager
David Greenhalgh Artist
John Esplen Music Industry
David MacMullen Chartered Surveyor
Keith Slater Retired Hon Treasurer
Chris Hodgkinson Consultant
Eleanor Froelich Musician, Austria
Charles Posner
Pat Shroff NHS Manager, Consultant
Miodrag Kekiae Priest, Slovenija
Reg Winstone Journalist
Hannah Everitt Scientist, PhD student
Roel Bakker Scientist, Researcher, Netherlands
Nicola Scott
Derek Lockhart Scientist
Nick Lanyon Entrepreneur
Gerard O'Driscoll Software developer
Christopher Lamb Accountant
Ailbhe Goodbody Masters student
Cecil Pearce Retired Civil Air Pilot
Tim Latham Scientist
Kate Tavernor Scientist
Russell Bonser Aerospace Engineer
Ted Cordell
Wendy Birch
Karlis Atvars Scientist, Research Fellow
Mark Broadhead Chef
Jennifer Empson-Ridler
N C Teacher
Garry ShuttleworthSusan Wells Lecturer in chemistry
Robin Hardie Investor
Roy Carlill
Robert Gunning Scientist, Research Fellow, Ireland
David Eastwood Retired Scientist
Sophia Taha Student
Jan T. Kim Scientist, Lecturer
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) James Clyde Teacher
Michael Cone Scientist, Graduate Student, United States
Grant Newman Media Producer, New Zealand
Ann Johnson Retired oncologist (breast cancer research)
Roger Jones Engineer, Australia
Fiona Johnson Council Officer
Cauri Jaye CEO
Martin Robards Retired Paediatrician
Liuhong Chen Scientist, PhD student
Henry Wilton Scientist, Senior Research Fellow, USA
Adam Moughton Scientist, PhD Student
John Shilkaitis Software Engineer, Member of Technical Staff, United States of America
John Exshaw Journalist
Donald Campbell Personal Trainer, USA
David Broughton Retired
Peter Hannen Engineer, Consultant
Ross Meredith scientist, MSci Student
Duncan McBain Student
James Ross Telecommunications Engineer
Simon Lynch Insurance Clerk
David Gage
Kat Evans Line Producer
Daniel Kenny Research Scientist
Peter Dodd Animator
Ellie Harrison Broadcaster
Mark Thatcher Engineer, Managing Director
Gill Heather Retired Researcher
Anne Higgins Tax accountant
Derek Bell
Bernie Green Retired Teacher
Ben Richardson Director, Managing Director
George Williams Retired Citizen
Michael Nicholson IT, Telecoms consultant, Sweden
Tony Glenholmes IT Manager
Isobel Steer Student
Brian Frost Steelworker
Karl Veulemans IT Consultant
Bill Caldwell Retired
Erwin Blonk IT professional, Netherlands
Mary Murphy-Ford medical doctor
Sam Deane Software Engineer
Colin French
Julia Henderson Law Student, New Zealand
Alex Wordsworth Pilot, USA
Alan Rector Professor of Medical Informatics
Hazel Prowse Scientist
Keith Bancroft Scientist, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry
Joseph Malia Accountant
Peter Genower Journalist
Jonathan Grant Music Producer/DJ, Company Director
Luke Garner Broadcast Engineer
Amanda Johannson civil servant
Syd Webster
Leon Collins Solicitor
Peter Williams chartered engineer
Martin Law Dentist
Joseph Fisk Research Engineer
Joelle Laws Teacher
Dom Bovington Database Manager
Paul Ginzberg Scientist, Phd Student
Liz Dawson Charity worker
Thomas James Bradman ESL Teacher, Thailand
Phil Greenwood scientist, associate lecturer
Diana Wilson Lecturer, Ireland
Penny Morris Industry Scientist
Rod Smallwood Professor of Computational Biology; Director of Research and Innovation for Healthcare
Julio Cesar Castro Brazil
Suet Ying Kwan Student
Kyle Dohring Student, Canada
Owen O'Donnell
Craig Childs Scientist, Research Fellow
Doron Offir IT Manager, Israel
Katja Nemat Physician, Deutschland
Amy Willis Scientist
Professor Stuart Rosen Scientist
Paul Morley Accountant
Michael Walsh Medical Practitioner, Australia
Sherril Johnson USA
Professor Manfred Krifka Scientist, Germany
Toby Crisford Student
Stephen Chamness USA
Brian Nicholson Retired Scientist
Angela Frankenne Pharmacist, Canada
Robert Gerst Manager, Canada
Joel Daniel Van der Meulen Scientist, Australia
Fred Whitlatch Dentist, United States
Lou Bennett Retired Biology and Computer Studies teacher, Canada
Jon Starbuck Scientist
Pauline Reith Engineer
Henry Adam Scientist
Tom Marshall Scientist, Senior Lecturer
Richard Robinson Retired Teacher
Martin Ling Scientist, Research Associate
Russell Sugden Analytical Chemist
Ian Cardno Contracts manager
Lucy Martin Scientist, Doctoral Research Student
David Tweedie Scientist, Clinical teacher
George Astaniou Traffic systems engineer
Alan Ford Archaeologist
Laurie Faulkner Retired Management Scientist
John Bruce
Anthony Charles
Francis Carter
Ka Ho Tam Physics Undergraduate
Adam Clayton Research Scientist
Liza Levy Scientist
Michael Normoyle Translator, Japan
Gregg Bender Software Technical Writer
James Harpin Electronics Technician, USA
Sean Reid Software Salesman
Jose Antonio Lacruz Lawyer, Spain
Gill Thomasson Project Manager
Sue Stephens Teaching Assistant
John Davies Engineer
Hugh Bostock FRS Scientist, Emeritus Professor
Stephen Douglas Teacher of Mathematics
Mark Curtis I.T. Analyst
Gordon Hopewell Researcher
Allan Spink Economist and Market Researcher
Alan Smith GP
Brian Brooks Scientist
Justin Andrews
Elaine Blackman Retired librarian
Anja Scheiwe PhD Student - Epidemiology and Public Health
Karen MacDonald Admin, Australia
Adam Chamberlain Software Engineer
Keziah Latham Scientist
Anthony Martin
Veronique Rothwell Payroll Manager
Michael Pritchard Historian, Research Fellow
Jake Eades Music Teacher , India
Oliver Murray
Robert Baratz Scientist, USA
Patrick Mackie Environmental Health Practitioner
Micheal Beale
Charlotte Gill Veterinary Nurse
Jenny Wakefield Retired Solicitor
Geoff Lane Computer Systems Administrator
Gordon Massey
Cara Flanagan Psychology Textbook Writer
Pat Doncaster Retired teacher, Ireland
Hilary Doncaster Retired teacher, Ireland
Conor McEnhill Dentist
Sally Bridgeland Actuary
Parot Roger Scientist, France
Dr. Fabian Giesen Patent Examiner, Netherlands
Kristina Young Dental Nurse, Northern Ireland
Nick Doody Comedian and Writer
Sarah Morgan Journalist, Comedy Writer for TV and radio
Gareth Edwards
John Briggs Consultant
Katie MacDougall Actress, Performer
Peter Norris Retired Logistics Manager
John Davis Retired Agricultural Engineering teacher, Ireland
Stephen Webb
Thomas Ayerst Software Consultant
Claire Ramsey Scientist, Associate Professor, United States
Gary Bowering Communications Manager, New Zealand
Tim Worfolk Illustrator
James Richard Hawkins Retired Mechanical Engineer
Rob Grant Author
Liz Gresham Project Administrator
Jeremy Criddle Student, Australia
Thomas Quinn USA
David Spears Imaging Scientist
Madeline Voke Publishing
Michael Cozens Retail, Canada
Jim Rogers Civil Servant
James Murphy Medical Electronics
Georgina Erskine
Stephen Pike Psychologist/student, New Zealand
Gig Searle HCI Researcher and Software Engineer, Austria
Catriona Alexander Scientist, PhD student
Fraser Old Retired government scientist
Graham Hart Scientist, Head of Department: Infection and Population Health
Alan Howes Retired physics and mathematics lecturer
Matt Vuckovich Medic, Australia
Ann Dick Archaeologist
Justin Kugler Aerospace Engineer, USA
Prem Kumar Doctor
Stephen Thackery Technical Author
Peter Kanold Dimensional Metrologist, Canada
Lorraine Shelton Quality Assurance Officer, USA
Michael Windle Retired Chartered Engineer
Dan Roberts Journalist
Sarah Harnett
Alison Gunson Nurse
Francis Harrison Retired Science Teacher
Jennifer Dyer Retired Computer Network Manager
Christopher Moss Student
John Shaw Scientist, PhD Student
Padraig Keane Scientist, Ireland
Colin Ranshaw Pharmacist
Timon Day Journalist
Marjory Davey Retired Librarian
Fergus Feehily Artist, Ireland
Anna Simpson Writer
Carina Bauman Graduate student, USA
Adele Mercier Professor of Philosophy, Canada
Tim Adye Physicist
Hugh Allan Chartered Engineer
Michael Sumner Architect
Rob Beckett GP
Galen Evans
Tanya Sabin Materials Engineer
Ellen Bell Scientist, Assistant Professor, USA
Michael Clear Science Manager, New Zealand
Tristan Martin Student, Australia
Gerry Kilroy Retired Translator
Bert Hunt
Amy Lothian Physics Support
Ashley Carr
David Storey Retired Economist
Andrew Thompson journalist, TV producer
Helen Murray Student
Hamish Hutton Marketing Director
Krish Anand Management Consultant
Matt Barrett TV Producer/Director
Mike Vingoe Scientist
Harry Sumnall Scientist
Deborah Prelesnik Dietitian, USA
Jim Hennington Actuary
Tom Horner Science Communication Student
Matthew Tedaldi Research Scientist
Anna Bond Gunning Industrial / Occupational Psychologist
Randal S. Pennington , Director of Psychological Training/Clinical Psychologist, USA
Jenny Rouse PhD student - Behavioural Neuroscience
Amitava Banerjee Clinical Research Fellow
John Jenkins Retired GP, Ethics Committee Member
Eric Hoy Scientist, Clinical Associate Professor, USA
Bobby Fritz Retired Engineer, USA
Stuart Agnew MEP Politician, Belgium/France
Helen Johnson Journalist
David Briggs Journalist
William Jarvis Health Education specialist, USA
Andreas Aanonsen Normann Student, Norway
Stephen Barnes Retired Paediatrician
Stephanie Wood Scientist, Postdoctoral researcher, Sweden
Albert Rogers Scientist
GS Monger Teacher
Brandon Benkosky Splicing Tech, USA
Helen Fanning Radiographer
Duncan Butlin Retired Engineer
Sundal Roy Model
Alexander Gavin Civil Servant
Christine Baker Student, USA
Pippa Hough Scientist, MSc student
Patrick Moore Adjunct Professor of Government, USA
John Bilsbury Lead Engineer
Catriona Hilton Academic Clinical Fellow
Paul Ashton Software Developer, New Zealand
Robert William Minter Environmentalist and Civil Engineer
Ben Kirkham
Eva Maguire Strategic Projects Manager, Ireland
Wendy Milner Artist
David Forsdike Engineer
Sean Curry Orthopaedic Surgeon
Nick Thomson Filmmaker
Kit Eason
Vassilis Papanikolaou Firmware Engineer
Nancy Charlier Psychiatrist, United States
Steven Lord Triathlon Coach
Steven Browne Warden
Robert Sundwick Masters Student, Computer Information Systems, USA
Pablo Sánchez Ocal Student, Spain
Simon Denning
Andreas Sampson Doctor
Graeme Daly Maths Teacher
Leslie Williams Journalist, Ireland
Douglas Macdonald MRC clinical fellow
Rehan Symonds Scientist
Sadaf Dar Doctor
Terry Hudsen Anaesthetist
Duncan Smith Postgraduate Student
David Turner Medicine, Clinical Associate Professor
Sebastian Deans Shiatsu Therapist
Erik Holmgren Scientist, Sweden
Michael Duffy Journalist, Researcher
Christopher Mellor Financial Analyst
David Peabody Engineer, Canada
Albert Bakker Operator, Netherlands
Isabelle Hayes Biomedical scientist
Colin Hayes Surveyor
Dalius Balciunas Scientist, Lithuania
Catriona Hendry Student
Lorna Kane
Chu Nhu Student, Canada
Nick Hockings Veterinary Surgeon
Christine Douglass Student
Erik Broome Medical Student, Sweden
Lorraine Pring Nurse
Karl Hamlin Engineer
Susanna Al-Samarrai Doctor
Anupam Gupta Doctor
Irit Edri Solicitor
Alannah Gale Marketing Exec
Suzanne Fossey Pharmacy Assistant
Roger Bulcock
David Blewden Finance Director
T Watson
Yamini Bhalla Student, India
Philip Coan Scientist, Scientific Litigation Analyst
Abraham Sharp Engineer
Assaf Basevitch Economist
Dirk Schepens Medical Devices Marketing, Belgium
Jonathan Shacklock Photoshop Retoucher
Jo Seymour Scientist
Henning Tveit Science Teacher, Norway
Keith van Rijsbergen Scientist, Emeritus Professor
Eleni Kalorkoti Illustrator
Gary O' Reilly Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Ireland
Louise Brannon Psychiatric Nurse
David Vickers Retired Histopathologist
Micheal Beatty Independent Scholar, United States
Richard Wilson Scientist, PhD student
Peter Rogers Scientist, Consultant in Pain Medicine
Cedric KnightIT
John Barker Microbiologist
William Arrowsmith Retired Paediatrician
Venkatesh Bob Consultant
Keith Lewis Underwriter
Justin Kemp Law Student
Ased Ali Scientist, Wellcome Clinical Research Fellow
Anne Burke Psychotherapist/Counsellor, Ireland
David Holberton Retired Scientist
William Lionheart Professor of Applied Mathematics
Lucy Harris Science Teacher
David Mathieson Software Engineer, Ireland
Hugh Griffiths Medical doctor
Jim Street Social worker
Richard Pavitt Music Marketing, Director
Richard Esau Marketing Director
Ben Watson Software Engineer, USA
Andrew Pearson Scientist, Associate Lecturer, Australia
Margaret Holloway Paediatric Physician, Australia
Annamay Parris Student, Canada
Dennis Hodgson Editor of Science Textbooks [retired], China
Gareth Jenkins-Jones Software Engineer
Jonas Crabtree
Ron Miller IT, Consultant
Kyle Cooksey Emergency Services Communications, USA
Tony Foster Investigator
Julio Faria Scientist, Managing Director
Susan Lynn Retired Lecturer
Bernard Sanderson
Sean Pollonais Enterprise Lecturer
Carsten Maple Professor, Head of Department: Computing and Information Systems
Simon Dalton Scientific Illustrator, Ireland
Eidur Alfredsson IT Consultant, Business Analyst
Robin Brown Musician Tradesman
Stephen McKelvie Scientist
Rhiannon McLaughlin Engineer
Paul Hampson Chef
Matthew Clarkson Public Servant
Michael Hopfenspirger Physician, USA
Michael Legierski
Tony Blackett Scientist, Senior Lecturer
Catherine Thomas Editor and Travel Writer
Dr Chris Lloyd Mills Scientist
Mike Leverington Analyst
Sarah-Rhiannon Wathan Post Graduate Student
David Brian Wathan Scientist
Helgi Sigurgeirson Geologist, British Columbia, Canada
Samuel Clerke Physics Student
Adam Errington Scientist, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Andrew Hawker Retired IT Analyst
Graham Wheeler MSc Medical Statistics
Christina Anand
Ian Barton
Guillaume Girard Microbiologist, Canada
Kevin Aylward Electonics Engineer
Julian Saurin Associate Proffesor, Political Science and International Relations, Cyprus
Sam Morrison Writer/Animator
Greg Perry Biology Student, Scotland
Gerald Miller Businessman, Israel
Conor McDonagh Student, Ireland
Nick Matheson Physiotherapist, Clinic Owner, Canada
John Barnden Scientist, Professor of Artificial Intelligence
Jessica Hamzelou Journalist
Anna Lee Physiotherapist, Australia
Daniel Oyan Pediatrician, Norway
Anita Collins Student
David Jones Tutor
Dick Lelyveld IT, Netherlands
Leon Smith Scientist, Australia
Caroline Quick
Natasha Latysheva Scientist
John White
Peter Hutchison GP
Stuart Rogers Bookseller
Ragnar Bjornsson Scientist, PhD student
Nigel Johnson Programmer, New Zealand
Jan van de Water Netherlands
Lucy Bright
Patricia Emonet Artist
Clive Quick Consultant Surgeon
Daniel Henning Physician
Curtis Carlson Engineering Manager, USA
Joanna Gait IT
Nigel De Grey Civil Engineer
David Corking Engineer
John O'Malley Clinical Director
Ethan Wohl Student, USA
Martin Hemingway Teacher, Head of Faculty of Social and Vocational Studies
Leanna Walder Student
Andrew Hemsley Construction Cost Consultant
Quyen Yelton Physiotherapist
Jamie Fryer Doctor
James Allison Engineer
Alicia Faires Military Meteorologic and Oceanographic Forecaster, USA
Justine Jones
Claire Naylor Scientist, Research Assistant
Ciaran O'Neill Assistant Journal Development Editor
Matt Delany Teacher
Mark Whitehead Scientist, Health and Safety Officer
Daren Riley Account Manager, New Zealand
Raymond Haupt Editor, USA
Bede Wilson Engineer, Australia
John Symon Publican
Knute Rife Lawyer, USA
Mak Macorol Data Analyst, Philippines
Antonio Silvestre Lawyer, Portugal
Matthew Lehane Accident and Emergency Doctor
Bob Chambers Retired University Teacher
Jim Hague Software engineer
Kerry Turner Scientist
Jonathan Bailey Building Surveyer, Student
Jacqueline Payne
Katie Bizley Student
Charles Richmond
Sam King Student
Matthew Turner Science student
Andrew Higginson Scientist
Catherine Stephens International Union of Sex Workers
Hugh Evans
Gareth Pryce Senior Research Fellow
Maureen May Teacher
Helen Shorrock-Gent
Sean Talbot MSc Student
James Scott-Brown Student
Jon Cashman MD
Julia Torr Florist
Candice Pierce Teacher, New Zealand
David Lowings Consultant, MD
Sophie Macken Human Rights Student
David Potter Science/Technology consultant, Director
Alasdair Higgins Financial Regulator
Jeremy Fletcher Account Director
Christine Calvert Research Director
Antony Fussey Engineer
Andrew O'Brien Orthopaedic Surgeon
Tab Brown
Monica Metzler President, Illinois Science Council
Kerry Acton Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Garry Beach Consultant, Petroleum Industry, Canada
Jamie Gegerson Systems Analyst, USA
John Knox Web Shop Manager, Australia
Peter Underwood Accountant
Mark Holmes Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry, Australia
Amy Lowenstein Accountant, USA
Simon Worgan Research Fellow
Neil Lawrence Senior Lecturer
Steve Hallett Pilot
Mona Albano Technical Writer, Canada
James Chen-en Cheng Student, Taiwan
Ailise Loftus Doctor
Anna Henderson
Roy Button Project Systems Engineer
Robert Dwyer Electronics Engineer, Australia
John Lambert Chairman
Reynolt de Vos van Steenwijk Senior Engineer
Ian Bonner
Mark Hordley Staff Nurse
Mel Kavanagh Veterinary Surgeon
Douglas Theobald Assistant Professor, USA
Celeste Noli Scientist
Erin Best Law Student, Australia
John Beech
Bill Harman
MaryAnne Beech Teacher
Roberto Sarrionandia Student
Joanna Rutkowska Lawyer, Sweden
Angela Fuller Cardiac Physiologist
Peter Cann Journalist, Chair of Oxford NUJ branch
Pawe Alejster Student, Poland
Chris Shore Teacher
Kate Bartholomew
Helen Rhodes Managing Director
Jorgen Leditzig Administrator, Denmark
Chris Holmes Anaesthetist, Scotland
Cynthia Smith Technical Communicator/Writer, Norway
Claire Connorton
Jose R.C. Cruz Freelance Journalist, Canada
Jobina Hardy TV Researcher
Alex Klomp Scientist, Netherlands
Sharon Pickett Clinical Editor GP newspaper
Susanna Hallden Student, Sweden
Julie Webb Freelance Science Communicator and Teacher
Jeremy Kemp
Daniel Oi Lecturer
Stuart Cunningham Senior Software Engineer
Edward Kretchmer Student, USA
Rosslyn Nicholson Science writer, U.S.A.
Kevin Kendrick Medical Student, Australia
John Moore Analyst programmer
Kevin Corcoran Staff Nurse
Darryl Ashing Chartered Accountant
Adam Watts Fraud Analyst
Lisa Hendry Web Editor of Peer-to-Peer Science Website
Tom Wegner Research Consultant, Germany
Robert Seal Student
Graeme Kemp Teacher
Charles Wass
Will Ackermann Engineering Student
Cynthia Bijl de Vroe London Blue Badge Guide
Marie Cooper Student
Barry Johnstone Retired, New Zealand
Louis Aldred-Traynor Medical Student, Australia
Dylan McDowell Anthropology Student, United States of America
Alan Rector Professor of Medical Informatics
James Milner Research Fellow
Luke Thompson PhD Student
Patrick Heneghan Programmer
Martin Baines IT Sales Manager
Simon O'Neill Engineer
Hari Jackson Student
Maureen Lamb Retired Lab Technician
Tony Low Engineer
Neil Howard Journalist
Tom Osborn Scientist, USA
SENET KELLY Student Physicist, USA
Huma Shah Scientist
Matthew Joyce
Nicole Crosby McKenna Charity Sector, Development and Campaigns Officer
Will Snellen Teacher, Netherlands
Geraldine Isherwood Charity worker, Trustee
Peter Gatward
Catharine Briody Student
Catharine Briody
Alaric Ross-Wagenknecht Civil Engineer
Austin Whittall Editor, Argentina
Aaron Poehler Technical Writer
Richard Stratton Teacher, USA
Sarah Brewer Doctor, Guernsey
Euan Munro Engineering Student
Christopher Gwilliam Banker, UK/Serbia
James Garvey Doctor
Andrew Clarke Assistant Mill manager
Eva-Britt Sandström Nurse, Sweden
Benjamin Steuber Student, Germany
Mike Rees Scientist
Rhys Morris Clinical Scientist
Martin Iddon IT Consultant
Abizer Nasir Computer Programmer
Adam Crothers Student
Melissa Wood Scientist, PhD student
Alexandre Ghazi Director of Research at CNRS, France
Richard Johnson Retired Senior Lecturer (Hon. Member of Staff)
Helen Potter Scientist, PhD Student
Colin Millar Retired
James Johnson Director
Alastair Chisholm Software Developer
David Smart Retired Forensic Scientist
Catherine Chisholm
Christophe Le Gallic Engineer, France
David Gregory Retired (Clinical Scientist)
Bridget Johnson Local Authority
Tony Jenkins Retired Pharmaceutical Scientist
Marita Brandsoy Lystad Physiotherapist, Norway
Andy Barker
Philip Dawson
Alok Varshneya Software Consultant, India
Christopher Clegg Scientist
Bethan Hughes News Editor
Laura Looby Student
Claire Chatterley Postgraduate Student
Malcolm Cathcart IT Analyst
Adam Ahmed Student
Stuart McLean Psychologist
Roisin Joyce NGO, Development Manager
Egil Jergan Programmer, Norway
Shai Aharoni Software Developer, Israel
Derek McCulloch Consultant in Electronics Humidity and Metrology
Ian Greig Scientist, Research fellow
Christopher Collin GP, Australia
Jan Andruszkiewicz Artist/Computer Scientist, Australia
Roger Plenty
Paul Searle
Malcolm von Schantz Scientist
Phil Rowley Manager
Peter Ive Principal Systems Engineer
Brian Edwards Pharmacovigilance Consultant
Michael Bates Retired Civil Servant
D Coppen Scientist, Director,
Tim Stevens Postgraduate Researcher
Alan Cottey Scientist
Charles Rose Business Developer
Sam Collier Artist's Assistant.
Ian Wynn IT Manager
Neil Paknadel Senior Library Assistant
Derek Neill Physics Graduate
Charlie Reavill Scientist
Judith Plenty
Mike Carmichael Retired Charted Engineer
Iain Francis Engineer, Technician
Edmund Mohan Retired Civil Servant
Debbie Symes Scientist
Professor Lesley Jeffries Social Scientist
Roger Lynn Chartered Engineer
David Whitmarsh Engineering Company, General Manager
Denise Cheetham Psychology Student
David Kennedy Senior Software Engineer
Clare Boyes NHS Manager
Paul Jonathan Cheetham Computer Manager
Tony Tweedale Research Consultant, Toxicology
Nathan Proudlove Academic, Senior Lecturer
Paul Lawler Honorary (Retired) Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine
Peter Jamieson Blue Badge Tourist Guide
Simon Radford Engineer, Senior Systems Engineer
Richard Skipworth
Deirdre Shepherd Academic
Ian Nussey OBE FREng Chartered Engineer
Joanna Rimmer Retired Librarian
Stuart Riches Business Consultant
Michael Rogers Retired Pharmacist
Laura Wilmshurst Student
Daren Pearcy Web Developer
Mark Evans Computer Programmer
Martyn Tozer Chartered Engineer
Robert Oeffner Scientist
Tom Slater Computer Consultant
Scott Clarke Translator
Damian Haigh Assistant Headteacher
Angus Langlands Retired Ranger
Alan Brett ScientistMichael Shoesmith Retired BBC Producer
Joes Staal Scientist, D Engineer
John Connett Software Engineer
Jerry Pank Computer Programmer
Anthony Holmes Scientist
David Webb Retired Scientist
Noel Anderson Retired,Scientist
Sarah Wilmshurst Undergraduate Student
Nicholas Hardwick Science Teacher
Antonia Johnson Teacher and Dyslexia Assessor
Neil McCartney Retired Science Teacher
Andrew Thoma Nurse/ ex Chiropractor
Nigel Woodcock Reader in Structural Geology
Richard M Young Scientific manager, UCLIC Manager + CHI+MED Project Manager
Neil D'Costa Web Developer
Jess Strangward Volunteer Coordinator
William Farnham Scientist
Stuart Davies IT Consultant
Kate Lewis Scientist, Teacher
Andrew Layton IT Specialist
William Farnham Scientist
Tony Lacey Medical Imaging Specialist
Denys Bennett Chartered Engineer
Mick Nagle Market Research, Company Director
Nigel Whitehead Retired Engineer
Siobhan Bain Analyst, Vice President
Tom Flemming Filmmaker
Thomas Lee Retired Specialist Paediatrician, Channel Islands
John Raffell Chief Marine Engineer
Mark Ware Consultant, Director
Stephen Roberts Domestic Engineer
Neil Johnson Researcher
Gary Russell Shop floor worker
James Hardiman Retired Medical Doctor
Gerald Jones Educationalist, Curriculum Development Manager
Vivienne Wilmshurst Retired Nurse
Edward Russell
Peter Shaw Scientist, Senior Lecturer
Mark Young Scientist, Senior Lecturer
Sally Reckert Gardener
Andrew McIlwraith Journalist
Richard Joyner Scientist, Former Chair of CaSE Campaign for Science and Engineering
Roderick Brooks Consultant Physician
Claudia Canales Scientist, Post-doctoral Researcher
Alex Hunt Wine Buyer
Juan Paez-Farrell Scientist
Chris Dancer Engineer working in Neuroscience Research
Michael Johnson Scientist
Robert Smith Scientist, Visiting Professor/Emeritus Professor
Lucy Hulme Student
Ciara Stewart Scientist
John Grant Engineer
Annabel Gibb-Cohen Bookseller
Gillian Weston Scientist
Mike Bowden Teacher
Bryn Gwyndaf Jones Retired IT lecturer
James McConnell Bookseller
Duncan Macleay Retired Senior College Lecturer
Huw Owen-Reece MB; FRCA Physician, USA
Jonathan Gressel Scientist, Professor Emeritus, Israel
John Stolz Medical Writer
Boyd Henson-Bargh MSc Photographer, Director
Brian Price Engineer, R and D Manager
Michael Blastland Journalist
Alistair Scott Photographer/Writer, Switzerland
David Rimmer Scientist, Retired Senior Lecturer
Martin Crane Chartered Design Engineer
Steven Plowman Engineer
Geraint Todd
David Yorston Consultant Ophthalmologist
Stephen Driver Scientist, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Edward Callender Postman
Robert Heddle Physician and Pathologist, Head of Clinical Immunology
Last updated: December 10 2009
Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 18
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.
| Previous 1000 names | Next 1000 names |
Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated
Betty Slinger Scientist
Peter Bennett Student
Michel Salim Software Engineer, USA
Gary Parkyn Scientist
Diane Vitale USA
Ramona Erdman USA
Maria Pertl PhD student, Ireland
Diarmuid Byrne Postgrad Student, Ireland
Ben Holloway Research Scientist
John Truscott Software Engineer
Amy Brogan Postgraduate Student, Ireland
Lorcan Walsh Postgraduate Researcher, Ireland
Lee Harrison Science Communicator, Australia
Robert Lichtenstein Licensed Psychologist, USA
Sarah Reilly Ireland
Robert Ryan PhD Student, Ireland
Patrick Colbeck Network Engineer
Ciara Greene Postdoctoral Scientist
Robert Reganess
Damian Kelly PhD Researcher, Ireland
Jesse Krizik Philosopher, USA
Steven Zeitzew Orthopaedic Surgeon, USA
D Young Student
Bob Churchill Membership and Web Manager
Kathryn Holmes GP, Canada
John Buch Physician, USA
Peter Ewing Financial regulation
Peter RobertsPhD Student
Kris Hampel Engineer
Mary Guinness Solicitor
Tom Munoz-BrittonPhD Student
Aaron Mullan Sound Engineer, United States
Manosij Majumdar Engineering student,Canada
Ashley Dorning Ph.D. student
Lalita Kaplish Science Librarian
Paul Moore Applications Engineer, USA
Steven Powell PhysicianUnited States
Ricky Grogan Sales Manager, Republic of Ireland
Rebecca Reid Student, N. Ireland
Carl Wick Soldier and science graduate
Neelesh Kumar India
Robert Vickerstaff Scientist
Michael Beaton Philosopher
Neil Hankey Software engineer
Mark Bauer Pharmacist, United States
Maggie Jones Nurse
Norman Casagrande Software Engineer
wayne thresher Scientist
Arj Subanandan Mental Health Information Officer
Thomas Akehurst Software Developer
Matthew Willey Education Adviser, New Zealand
Ruben Hernandez Student, United States
David Kennedy IT consultant
Dirk SCHEPENS Medical Technology, Belgium-Flanders
Christopher Nawrat PhD Student
Thomas Vandenberghe Secretary, Belgium
Nick Serifin
Richard Taylor Student
Matthew Wortley University Administrator, Japan
Donal Fallon Artist/Student, Ireland
Mark Helme
Andrea Cross Producer
Sebastian Stear Musician and Teacher
Richard Hunt Actuary
Stephen WilliamsPostgraduate Student
Lisa Corr Bookseller, Ireland
Paul Eccleston Spacecraft Verification Engineering Manager
Richard Cody Graduate of Biology and Student of Psychology, Ireland
Jenny HuntGeographical Information Systems Officer
Nicholas McCullen Researcher
Ger Duff Medical Student, Ireland
Anne Goldsworthy Education Consultant, Wales
Antonio Gandarinho Portugal
Daya Varma Professor Emeritus, Canada
Helen Palmer Post doctoral researcher, Norway
Adrian Stear Retired research chemist
Bahillo Carlos Maintenance Man, Spain
Shaun GoldfinchAssociate Professor
Stephen Rooney Writer PR Marketing, Ireland
Andrew Chantrill Retired
John Wakefield Research Scientist
Christopher Monsour Researcher,USA
Michael James Scientist
Joshua Howgego PhD student
Matt Hudson Information Management Officer
Jonathan Bott Doctor of Medicine
Mark Ortiz Senior Consultant
Paul McCord Solicitor
Ashley Griffiths WebSphere Technologist
John Goudy Australia
Robert Livingstone Engineer, Retired
Michael Kocan Consultant Anaesthetist
Daniel Clarke Student
John Nye Insurance Officer
Chris Dibbs Design Engineer
Simon Dellis Businessman, Cambridgeshire
Ingvild Tinglum M.Phil Student, Norway
Edward FitzGerald F1 Doctor
Jens Jacobsen Journalist,Germany
Richard Wise GP
Peter Thomas Professor and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Anne Miller Author and Company Director
Ian Parish Mathematics Teacher
Anders Hede Administrator, Denmark
Mark Anthony Information Security Manager
Sam Hillman Student
Jesse Ohlsson Electronics Engineer, Belgium
Craig Frier Digital Artist
Bruno Edwards Technician and designer
Judith Peel Science teacher
Karin Rautio Sweeden
Patrick DiCaprio Asbestos Analyst,USA
Nigel Magnay Head of R and D
Colin Jenkins Software
Tracey Thorn Singer
Brant Watson Retired Industry and Technology Teacher, USA
Jane Campbell Health Professional
Paul Neil 3D Computer Artist
Johnny Chen
Mark Harris Aircraft Avionics Maintenance Engineer, Australia
Kimberly Clarke ournalist
Bernard Boase Retired IT professional
Matt Dalby Civil servant
Jamie Martin Writer
Michelle Nunn Administrator
Dr Rosalind Polley Scientist
Jim McCubbin Psychiatrist and Doctor
Jon Allen Teacher of Science
Henry Connor Retired Consultant Physician
Mateus Desimon Student, Brazil
Ulf Barsnick Scientist, Germany
Kevin Scales
Claire Gallagher Administration
Erik Helgesen Norway
Stephen Marshall Engineer
Richard Clark IT Manager
Stephen Harrison Building Industries Manager
Lee Symes Staff Nurse, Scotland
Christopher James Consultant Haematologist
Matthew Bunyan
Charles Forsyth Scientist
Sam Cunliffe Student MSc Physics
Adam Kane Student, Ireland
Andrea Buffington
Ilijas Milisic Australia
Hugh young Writer/Editor, New Zealand
Giorgio Cosco Employee, Italia
John Peisley Teacher of Science
Warwick Dumas PhD student
Thomas Genoni Staff Scientist, USA
Douglas Black Computer Engineer, USA
Nicholas Palmer Environmental consultant/campaigner/lobbyist, Jersey Channel Islands
Mark Hewitt Electrical Engineer
Yaniv Nadav Importer, Israel
Steven Russell Artist, Texas
Keith Kie Student, USA
Brian Dupuis Researcher in cognitive science, Alberta
Vincent Sikorski Clinical Pharmacist, USA
Angela Hook Parish council clerk
Toby Rane Administrative, USA
Charles Hall Retired Physician, USA
Daniel Talbot-Ponsonby Patent attorney
Chris Sexton
Kelly Banco Pharmacy Student, Canada
Kirsi Heikkinen Journalist, Finland
Ian Pollard Actuary
Scott Ponton Scientist
Subhayan Mukerjee Student, India
Heather Roulleau Auxilary Nurse, France
Chuck Hamil Writer, USA
Jeff Bellay Scientist, USA
Yan Tordoff Chartered Engineer
dave rainham GP, Canada
Tim Field Retired, U.S.A.
Robert Harvey Retired engineer
Peter Wright Scientist
Christine Baker Student, USA
Sally Rodger Teacher
Martin Bennedik Independent System Architect and Developer, Germany
Daniel Mac Alister IT Support, Spain
Nigel Hadfield IT Consultant
Fergal MacAlister Ireland
John Baker Chartered Town Planner
Ira Jacobson Engineer, Israel
Ilene Sternberg Journalist
Neil McLachlan Managing Director, Australia
Jamie Young Courier
Anna Halcro-Johnston Scientist
Jonathan Spencer Supply Chain Assistant
Colin Muddiman Teacher
Adrian Tillich Software Engineer, Germany
Matt Clay Principal Consultant
Simon Porter Factory Worker
Andrew Webster Senior Lecturer Ophthalmologist
Loree Kalliainen Surgeon and Chief of Staff Elect, USA
Fox Michael Student
Tom Grucza Mathematics teacher (retired), Australia
Mauro Vidal Ocean Engineer, Brazil
Jonathan Tuliani IT Manager, Ireland
Man Tran Engineer, Canada
Tim Ball Scientist, New Zealand
Tom Voltz Writer and editor, Spain
Matthew McMahon Senior Principal Scientist, USA
Simon Witkiss Chartered Accountant
Donald White Retired Physicist
Eugene Luks Professor of Computer and Information Science, USA
Thomas Peterson Software Engineer, USA
Richard Krafchik Retired Science and Mathematics Teacher, USA
John Gale Scientist, Australia
craig Richards Software Manager, United States
Sameer Manchali Senior Design Engineer, India
Geoffrey Jennings Retired
John Stockdale Engineer
Tze-Wey Loong Family Physician,Singapore
Robert Baigrie BSc Academic Surgeon, South Africa
John Downs Graduate Student, New Zealand
Andrew Berkeley Scientific Officer
Maria Truman Consultant
Pascal Craw Biology Teacher
Anders Wallby Editor, Sweden
Jasmine Wall Student
Abhijit Menon-Sen Programmer, India
Torsten Berger IT specialist, Germany
Susan Woodham Mathematician
John Sharp Retired
Carolyn Baigrie Histopathologist, RSA
Liam Harkness Public Sector Employee, Scotland
Geoff Mather Chartered Engineer
Aaron Ben-Joseph A Level Student
Ian Stacey Project Manager
Jonathan Tucker Project Manager
Keith Willis Software Developer
Joe Raftery Executive Engineer
Tony Lee Journalist and Editor
Paul Lyden Senior Consultant, Scotland
Karoline Schmidt Scientist, Austria
Roderick Rhys Jones Scientist
David Moorhouse
Rosemary Ewles Museums and Heritage Consultant
Amanda Montgomery Philosophy Student
John Taylor
Sally Morgan Psychologist
Richard Brooks Dentist (retired), USA
Sascha Janecek Astrophysics Student, Austria
Mark Radford
Kenric D'Souza Student, India
Cindy Dallow Instructor, USA
David Guinane Teacher
Phil Oddy Marketing Manager
John Underwood Journalist
Noel Potter IT
Juan Carranza Professor Zoology, Spain
John Crowe Web Developer
Laurie Smith Intensive Care Paramedic, Australia
Vincent Lagioia Senior Research Officer, Australia
Eden Smith Investor, Australia
David Meadows Project Manager, Australia
Sigal Gottlieb Professor of Mathematics, USA
Garrett Burt Software Technical Support, USA
Jessica Irons Student, Australia
Annikka Mutanen Science Journalist, Finland
Peter Van den Berghen Administrative Assistant, Belgium
Jonathan Lancashire Headmaster
Anne Gill University Lecturer
Derek Greenway Design Engineer
Robert Bryan Davis Computer Programmer, U.S.A
Andrew Gutteridge Broadcast Engineer
Phil Sharpe IT System Admin
Ian and Trish Sinclair
Kenneth England Paralegal, Australia
Barry Cridland Project Manager
Barbara Demeneix Professor and Head of Department Regulations and Development, France
Dan Kirklin Publishing Managing Editor
Adam Cosner Senior Analyst, United States
Adrian Herrera Political Analyst,USA
Stephanie Jones
Mike Clarke Magician
Sue Abt Designer, United States
Bradley Matthews Mathematics Student
Steven Teleky IT Manager, USA
Christopher Eaves IT Support
Robin Dunbar FBA Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Ian Brown Researcher, Sweden
Jaime Gonzalez Engineer, Mexico
Ruth Holland Project Officer
Annabel Martin-Bah
David Kostyk Bio-Medical Student, USA
Gina Wear Registered Nurse, USA
Jason Corrigan Poet
Andy Baker Web Developer
Daniel Elliot Facilities Engineer, Canada
Bruce Philp Consultant Plastic and Burns Surgeon
S. Stanley Young Assistant Director of Bioinformatics, USA
Owen Campbell-Moore Student
Bertrand Le Roy Engineer, USA
Kay Turrill Scientist, USA
Wayne Povey Carpenter
Karen Phillips Middle School English/Literacy Teacher, USA
Gregory Goldmakher Research fellow, USA
Arthur Rehling Student
Michel Ouellet Associate Professor, Canada
Lucas Martin Software Developer, Australia
lyle hutto Physician, USA
Peter Owens Mechanical Engineer
Geoffrey Hamshere Sales Manager, France
Judy Smith A-Level Student
Ann Ashworth Freelance Dietician
Franco Henwood Project Manager
Rainer Zahlten Professor of Medicine, Germany
Matt Giess Scientist
John Snelson Software Engineer
patricia brynolf
David Ryan
Jez Horrox Engineer
Carlo Rossini Engineer / Consultant, Scotland
Lyndon Roy IT Consultant
Alex Hall Education Consultant, Australia
Tessa Worgan Student of Science Media Production
Alec Keeler Software Release Engineer
Susan Campbell USA
Russ Painter IT, Ireland
Stephen Pullen Journalist and Editor
Barry Parsons Public engagement officer
Don Edgley IT developer
Cathy Finnegan
Deborah Pate
Keith Thompson Research Fellow
Robbie Glendinning Student of Science
Phil Crooks
irving rynning Student Teacher, USA
Warren Kaye Solicitor
Tom Trosborg IT consultant
Amber Potter Student, USA
Judith Withnell Mathematician and Teaching Assistant
Barry Gallagher Pharmaceutical Engineer
Kevin Hogan Chartered Accountant
Allan Godfrey Child Minder
Alan Griffith Customer Service Representative
Nick Holden NHS audit co-ordinator
Mathew Evans Software Engineering, Canada
Philip Howard Senior Research Officer
Chris Evans Music Distribution
Trishank Karthik Research Assistant, USA
Girard HopTeavy
Robert Dan MacDuff Retired Court Administrator
alan hayward Designer
James Hector Business Owner
Jim Freeman HE Administrator
Simon Dixon Postdoctoral research fellow
Emma Nicol Research Assistant
Cheryl Annett-Baker Copywriter
Sean Tracey Artist
Joe Stenger Software Engineer, Canada
Steve Potter Production at a research policy website
Paul McMonnies Software Developer
Philip Matusavage Research Administrator
Martin Nicholls Senior Subeditor
Candice Baddeley
Caroline Holland Social Scientist
Bob Taylor Scientist, Germany
Gerald Daniels Certified Financial Planner
Ian Deakin University Administrator
Corinna Waters Retail Worker
Rajnish Bhaskar Software Developer
Jacqueline Howard Teacher
James Mead Software Developer
David O' Hare Student of Mathematics
Clive Flint IT worker
David Robinson Network Engineer
Amy Crosthwaite Museum Cataloguer
Simon Quick Consultant, Switzerland
Leon Markham Information Technologist
Alex Paknadel English Literature Doctoral Student
Elizabeth Lutgendorff Student History of Science
Sarah Goddard Industry representative body, Ireland
Hannah Smithson Scientist
Tom Goodman-Hill Performer
Mark Jones Scientist
Hugh Pumphrey Reader in Atmospheric Science, Scotland UK
Matthew Gunning Television executive
Ellen Broughton Photographer
David Bailes
Hakon Larsen IT Consultant, Norway
Sara Feenan BSc Analyst
Michael McEvoy Medical Student
Richard Lyle Publishing
Dave Downs Software Developer
Scott Pollock IT
Sai Wing Man Mathematician
Raj Visram Project Manager
Tony Payton
James Chiles Local Government Officer
Maureen Box
Sharon O'Connor
Len Teff Writer
Kevin Kanji Banking IT Risk Director, UAE
Matt Brown Law
Vengalattore Nagaraj Senior Research Scientist, USA
Miquel Martin Senior Researcher, Germany
Stephen Mumford Systems Administrator
Edmund Huggett 3rd Year BSC Computing Student
Gordon Hirt Insurance Agent and Amateur Astronomer
Neil Edwards Media Librarian and P.T Magician
Marc Roberts Computer Scientist
Mike Evans Company director
Jan Alkema
J Allen
Joel Stobart Programmer
Ariane Demeneix
Paul Wilkins Scientist
Arun Reddy Software Developer, Norway
Chris Hunter IT specialist
Mihajlo Kostic Interest Rate Trader
Gerald Sorko Telecomms Engineer
Raphael Levy BBSRC David Phillips Fellow
Stephen Davies Graphic Designer
Jon Humphries Research Associate
Michael Kruse Primary Care Paramedic, Canada
Laura Powderham Editorial/design assistant
Simon Jones Scientist
Claire Hunt Research Associate
John Sheldon Retired Government scientist
Jake Dovey Computer Engineer
Nick Ramsay
Ella Cape-Davenhill Student
Seye Abimbola Research Scholar, Australia
Nichiless Dey Teacher of science
Richard Fletcher Website Developer
James Wright Programmer
Thomas Blackthorne Performer, Italy
Gerard CrottyConsultant Haematologist, Ireland
Mikko Petteri Salminen Student, Finland
Charles Barrett Surveyor
Alec Muffett Scientist
Andrew Henry Support Scientist
William Rook PhD Student
Paul Grundy Consultant neurosurgeon
Susan Morgan Doctor
John Taylor Director of Critical Skills
Stacy Todd Medical Doctor, SpR in Infectious Disease
Dr Deveril Post-Doc Fellow
Rupert Beale Clinical Lecturer in Renal Medicine
Jag Dhillon IT Consultant, Australia
William Cirillo Scientist, Ireland
Richard Ravn-Listowski Aircraft Engineer
James Pfeffer Quantitative Analyst
john Brennan Management Consultant
Rahul Shrimanker Medical doctor
Carla Freestep Farming, USA
Alex Hancock BI analyst
Bob Dezon Journalist
Jake Dunning Clinical Research Fellow and SpR Infectious Diseases
Teresa Boyle Medical Doctor Australia
David KelloggAssistant Professor of English, USA
Robbie Temple Engineer
Andrew Macdonald
John Evans Engineer
Dr Andrew Conway Morris Clinical Research Fellow
Jan Kingshott Police Officer
Owen Roberts Project Manager
Emre Amirak Registrar in Cardiothoracic Surgery
Brook Elgie Bioscience Graduate
Robert Willox Search Engine Analyst
Clark Fenton Senior Lecturer
Christopher Leaver Emeritus Professor
Kwok Lee Research Technician
Seil Collins Student
Marion Handscombe Ophthalmologist
Kevin Roberts Programmer
Stuart Sinclair Finance
Mark Brough Sales
Punnen Syriac IT Professional, Australia
Joe Lee-Moyet Student
Christian Ridley Student
Laura Husband Science journalism (MA) student
Alun Williams Journalist, Web Editor Electronics Weekly
Michael Tonkin Engineer, France
Eirik Hektoen Software developer, Catalonia
Paul Diggory Doctor of Medicine
Jason Sackett Software Developer, USA
Fabiano Vasi Student, Switzerland
Nigel Grady
Douglas Clark
Alison Hooper Head of the Dept of Mathematics and Statistics
Karen HendersonSenior Lecturer Dept of Mathematics and Statistics
Nicholas Dann A-level Student
Guy Roberts University Lecturer
Tushna Commissariat Journalist
Ankit Kant GP
Palash Barman BHF Cinical research training fellow
Clifton Wray Civil Servant
Gregory Conko Attorney/Policy Analyst, USA
Tessa Greenhalgh Doctor
Smith David Scientist
Victoria Reay Hospital Doctor
David Grey Firefighter
Paul Redford University Lecturer
Stewart McCormick General Medical Practitioner
Aatish Bhatia Student
John McCallum Factory worker
Jeremy Taylor IT Consultant
Suzanna Beaupre Student
Adam Clore Postdoctoral Fellow, USA
William Edwards Education administration, USA
Robin Windhaber Doctor
Spencer Attridge IT Manager
Mike Redwood GP Trainer Undergraduate Tutor
Edward Dowie
GARY MARLAND Scientist
Peter Kilroy Software Engineer, Australia
John Hawkins Software Manager
Nick Gordon
Stefan Isser Austria
David Prince Clinical Psychologist, USA
Richard Balacco Professional Engineer, Australia
Peter Kirsch Data Manager
Steve Rhenius Research and Intelligence Officer
Bronwyn Klimach
Natalie Kelly Receptionist
Dinyar Rabady Student, Austria
Basil Norbury Lecturer
Aine Gormley Science Journalist MA Student
Christopher Hallpike Emeritus Professor, Canada
Michael Threlfall
Ville Aarnikko Finland
Tony Williams IT Professional
Francisco Wechsler Emeritus Professor, Brazil
Joseph Hughes Postdoctoral Fellow
Andrew Court Music Educator, Australia
John (Dr) Williams Central England Branch Committee Member
Magnus Koch Scientist, Sverige
Preston MacDougall Professor of Chemistry, USA
Steve Wakefield Accountant
Jonathan Simons Investment Manager
David Hamilton Student
Matthew McGlade Web Designer
Anne Savage Doctor
Marion Dakers Student Journalist
Paul Savage Surgeon
Andrew Sewell Geophysicist
James Kenyon Journalism Student
Marie Zabell
Cathy Dalgleish USA
Philip Ball Journalist
Rhys Watkin Consultant Engineer
Mariza de Souza Student
Bob Gerics Musician, USA
Carl Fossum Librarian, USA
Matthew Davies Marketing
Pete White Science Teacher
Joseph Baker Journalism/Natural Sciences Student, USA
Kristian Kennaway Scientist
Christian Polson-Brown Biology Student, Australia
Stewart Lloyd Consultant Occupational Physician, Australia
Jörg Reiher Computer Science Student,Germany
Alexander Will Engineer, Germany
Edward White Scientist
Chris Johnson Statistician
Adrian Ogden Computer technician
Simon Parkin
Anna Puma Science student
Robin Foster Consultant Anaesthetist
Jonathan Primmer Science Communication MSc Student
Trygve Jensen Busdriver, Norway
Eric Andre Michot Pharmacist, Canada
Sam Roberts Software Engineer
James Edge scientist, Research Fellow
Lester Wilson Surgeon
Ross McLeod Army Officer
Ian Eiloart Councillor
Richard May scientist, PhD Student, Wales
Vania de Bie-Vernet Composer, France
Neil McIsaac
Dr Ian O'Neill journalist, Space Producer, USA
Sunayana Sitaram Software developer, India
Francis Cyril Beswick teacher
Nathan Reynolds Information Security
Dr David Buchanan Freng retired scientist
Carol Smith Office Manager/PA
Matthew Mixon Nurse
Tim Jones Science Communicator
Greg Neil , Australia
Kevin Fitzpatrick CIO
James Minchew Accountant
Michael E Garrett scientist
Ian Cotton Software Engineer
David Cork Retired Civil Servant
Rhiannon Smith Student
Neil Henderson Scientist
Santiago G. Moreno scientist, PhD student, health economist, Spain
Nikolai Tolstoy Historian, Independent author
Ian Ford journalist
Tom Bower journalist
Richard Kubilius Commissioner, Alcohol Coordinator
Stewart Frater Chartered Accountant
P Jon Bunker Designer, Director
Peter Roach physiotherapist
Colin Philpott Self Employed, Director
Dr Mike Clarke Scientist, Senior Development Manager
Tony Draper Business Psychologist
John Blandy Retired surgeon, Emeritus Professor of Urology
Neil Vowles Journalist, Trainee Reporter
John Woodhouse Retired pilot
Peter Merchant Engineer, University Lecturer
Stephen Birch Retired Medical Doctor
Peter Whitehead Armed Forces
Sarah Hobbs Science teacher, head of department
Annette Neary Consultant Physician, Ireland
Helen Hird Accountant
Anne Haworth Teacher trainer, PGCE Mathematics
Steven Moon Scientist, Analyist
Michael Fourman Scientist, Professor of Computer Systems
Elaine Smith Scientist, Clinical Psychologist, Ireland
Michael Faust scientist
Venetia Emery Retired dancer
James Manktelow student
Emma Kerstin Nuding Student
Bev Littlewood Scientist, Professor of Software Engineering
Glynn Winskel Scientist, Professor of Computer Science
Sarah Cuthbertson
Jon Crowcroft Scientist, Professor of Communications Systems
Terence Emery musician
Nat Noordanus Student
Subramanian Ramamoorthy scientist, Lecturer School of Informatics
Adam Esmail Physics Student
Stuart Yarrow Scientist, Research Student
Jakob Calero Gastellu Undergraduate Science Student
Eric Deeson scientist, science education consultant
Peter Aczel scientist, Emeritus Professor of Mathematical Logic and Computing Science
Christine Ottery Freelance journalist
Gary Meehan Software Engineer
Jonathan Millin Scientist, Graduate Student
Kenneth McFarlane Scientist, Master's Student, Scotland
Philip Kinsella Psychotherapist
Ben Littlewood Science teacher
Chris Howard Student
Jebadiah Moore Informatician, Student, Scotland
Andrei Voronkov scientist, Professor
Professor Faron Moller Scientist, Dean of Postgraduate Research
Matthew Wright Student
E D Heath Retired scientist
Martyn Pratt Natural Sciences student
Leslie Smith Scientist, Professor and Head of Computing Science and Maths Department
Madeleine Beveridge MSc student
Roger Wheeler Planning Manager
Paul Dolphin Senior Solutions Consultant
Cate Huston Scientist, Graduate Student, Canada
Abhishek Bhatt Scientist, Undergraduate
Alexander Munro Informatics Student
Simon King Scientist, Reader
Stephen Mercer Film editor, UK
Martyn Thomas Software Engineer, Director
Simon Fawkes Entrepreneur, CEO
Andrew Adamatzky Scientist, Professor
Frederic Fol Leymarie Scientist, Professor
Neil McGuiggan Student
Andrew Campbell Retired para-legal executive
Razvan Ranca Student
Jennifer Bragg Manager
Alan Carter Engineer
Dawn Davies artist/teacher
Rosie Webster Sales assistanst
Julien Woolley LGBT Activist, Civil Advocate, Administrative Consultant
John Davies Bookseller
Chris Thompson Student of computer science and physics
Carol Stanier Editor
John Gordon retired school teacher
Rowena Turner administrator
Anthony Solomonides Scientist, Reader in Computer Science and Medical Informatics
Lauren Denton Medical Student
Robert Kent Engineer
Judith Atkinson Retired
Geraint Wiggins Scientist, Professor of Computational Creativity
Stephen Crawford Teacher
Gillian Bishop retired scientist
John Pate scientist, PhD Student
Ana Costa e Silva scientist, PhD student
Sebastian Mhatre scientist, Student
Myles Parker Logistician
Andrew Malloy product designer, senior design engineer
Sian Rees journalist, sub-editor
Peter Sandilands scientist
Gordon Parke scientist, Research Student
James Garforth Science Student
Peter Smith Retired journalist
Margaret O'Riordan
Ben Wren Broadcasting, Network Operations Assistant
Peter Orchard scientist, PhD Student
Alan Bundy scientist, Professor of Automated Reasoning
Toby Foster scientist, Computer Science Student
Daniela Rudloff scientist, PhD researcher, blogger
Stephen Manning Civil Servant, Insolvency Examiner
Brian Randell scientist, Emeritus Professor of Computing Science
Mary Young Principal Transport Planner
James Linehan student
Ramanand Kalbag Retired Neurosurgeon
Angela Bell teacher
Gavin Potter Student
David Chapple Project Manager, Self employed
Paul Goddard IT Architecture Consultant
Charlotte Repton Student of Science
Jack Lennon Postgraduate
Stuart Conheady Analyst Programmer
Frank Allen scientist, Emeritus Fellow and ex-Director
Tamsin Maxwell student, PhD candidate Informatics
Sian Morgan Student
Virginia Campbell retired teacher
Fiona Wood Clerical Worker
Colin Scott-Malden
Katherine Stephen Journalist, gig reviewer
Ann Blandford scientist, Professor
Lisa Atkinson Swimming Coach
Claudia Gosse teacher
Malcolm Atkinson scientist, Professor of e-Science
F. Andy Seidl Software Architect, Entrepreneur, Director, USA
Chris Morgan Mental health trainer, Business Development Director
Kevan Cowcill Professor of Biology, Canada
David Lester Retired Librarian
Betty Tijms scientist, PhD student
G. Lucy Jones Driver, United States
Olivier Lacan Web Developer, Student, Florida
Anna Kirk Surveyor
Chris Moffett Student, USA
alexander sim scientist, Director
Stuart Ackroyd scientist, Student
Jeremy Swinfen Green management consultant, managing director
Peter Murdoch
Michele Dalla Torre student
Richard Jones scientist, Reader in Computer Systems
Clive Gerrard Academic Services, Assistant Director
Stefan Woodhouse scientist, Student
Andrew Miller Physics Teacher, United States
Thomas Widmer PhD, IT Project Manager, Switzerland
Jestyn Thirkell-White advertising executive, Switzerland
Derek Cox
Peter Clay Retired scientist
Bonnie Webber scientist, Professor
Phil Newton Musician, Germany
Peter Johns
Kirin Furst student of science and journalism, USA
Ania Kata Anthropologist, Canada
Clare Corbett scientist, PhD student
Simon Barker
John Gallagher Land Surveyor, USA
Ciro Faienza Writer, Film Maker, USA
IVAN OSRIN General Practitioner
Clare Shanahan Actuary, Pensions Analyst
Eoin O'Keeffe Student, Ireland
Elisabeth Whipp scientist, Consultant Oncologist
Lawrence Panas Master's Student, USA
Mark Renshaw Student
Olivia Whitaker Student
Anne Hill retired teacher
Gwen Knight scientist, PhD student
Michael Barnett Retired science teacher
Bernard Cohen scientist, Visiting Professor
Iain Turnbull Principal IT Officer
Jan Stephan Lundquist Program Manager, United States
David Harper Business Owner, Technical Director
Pawel Krol Student
Sander Land scientist, DPhil Student in Computer Science,
John Staunton Consultant, Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Ambassador
Robert Walker Retired teacher
Derek Newbury Educational Psychologist
Paul Lewis Retired GP
John Morrison Intelligence and Security Advisor
Vincent Golding Business Consultant, Director
Kurt Ehnle Mr Ophthalmic Assistant, USA
John Williams Principal Systems Engineer
Peter Newsome HE Support, Learner Support Advisor
Stuart White Consultant Anaesthetist
Greg Whited Territory Performance Manager, USA
Ian Simpson scientist, Research Fellow, Scotland UK
Annette Evans
Joanne Elmes
Peter Wordsworth Science teacher
Eerke Boiten scientist, senior lecturer in Computer Science
Bill Thornton Computer Programer, Developer
Jonathan Neylon Medical doctor
Chris Cooper Landscaper, USA
Simon Cross Student
colin prowse scientist, teacher
Penny Waheed
Amanda Phillips Student
Kelvin Ellis
Pete Melbourne Company Director
Anne Price Local Authority Admin
Derek Price Company Director
Peter Wilson Retired CEng
Arieh Iserles Scientist, Professor of Mathematics
Robert Pollack scientist, Researcher
Derek Brown Retired Civil Servant
Roger Rivett Engineer
Sandra Prow Medical Software, Data Quality Manager
Iain Whiteside Postgraduate Student
Andrew Gibbons Natural Science Student
Harry Whitehouse journalist
Richard Jones Retired physics teacher
Rachel Walmsley
John Faithfull scientist, Curator (Mineralogy/Petrology)
Alex Craig Actuarial Consultant
Michael Eccleshall Public Relations
Harry Braviner scientist, PhD Student
Andrew Taylor
David McMullen Pharmacist
Daire O'Brien, Ireland
Ross Hemingway scientist, GP
Mike Allen Engineer
Fraser Davidson Motion Graphics & Animation Designer
Angus Whyte scientist, Research Officer
Stuart Tanquist Executive Vice President, USA
Samuel Mindel student
Jane Hoare
Peter McOwan scientist, Professor of Computer Science
Dilip Dave Manager in NHS, Manager
Liisa Milne, Canada
Neil Demby Pharmacist
James Steinberg scientist, Undergraduate Research Assistant, USA
Benjamin Thomas Student
Timothy Green scientist, MSci student
Allison Whitchurch Massage therapist
Sergio Morales scientist, Costa Rica
John Talbot Paramedic, Clinical Supervisor
Gabor Kovacs Solicitor
Donna Maddox Computer Programmer, Philippines
Marc Mattson Education Publishing, United States
Peter Morris Web Developer
Philip Kettle
Jeff Herrold Teacher, United States
Andreas Sjöström machine operator, Sweden
James Jackson Retired scientist
David Fathers Scientist, Teacher
David Morrison journalist
Alan Synnott scientist
Emily Tesh Student
Professor Ross Anderson scientist, Professor of Security Engineering
Gillian Jordan
Doug Bennion software designer, Canada
Jason Hancock Building Contractor
Ian Esling Computer Programmer
Debbie Gandy Project Manager/Business Analyst
Nathan Dunn Computer Network Administrator, Australia
Nihar Gondalia, Ontario
Edward Zieba scientist, Student
Ronald J Riley Inventor and entrepreneur, United States
Stephen Totten Technician
Peter Wood scientist, Senior Lecturer
Julia Pierce Freelance Science Journalist
Craig Anderson Project Scientist, Australia
Geoff Bowyer Chartered Accountant, Somerset
Tom Dancer Web Developer
Meg McFarlane Tech Support and Blogger, Australia
Wayne Johnston Engineer, Software Development Manager, Canada
Michael Pope Chemical Engineer, Strategist, Australia
Sophie Lagace Engineer, Environmental engineer, United States
Dimo Petroff Student
Jeremy Bilder Property Management
Philip Bearton IT Technician, Manager
Michael S Pierce Physicist, USA
Eleanor Lucas
John Tait Consultant, Director
Anthony Tortorici scientist, Student, Australia
Justin Harbin Student
John Noble IT Consultant, Service Development Lead, Australia
Dustin Cline student, USA
Alex Howard Student, United States
Iván J Rodríguez Computer Specialist, Puerto Rico
Brian Ellis IT Professional
Vaibhav Prakash Graduate Student, New Zealand
Mark Schaffer, United States
Arleth Kerry Student, Singapore
Per-Ake Dahl Ejemark System Engineer, Sweden
Andy Owen Associate Producer, United States
Joe McCool programmer, Ireland
Daniel Franzén Software engineer, Sweden
John Skinner architect, Germany
Caroline Edwardson Property Management
Martin Shepperd Professor of Software Technology
Carl Nyberg Systems analyst, Sweden
Brian Spencer Head of Computing
John Miller Science Examiner
Partha Lal, PhD Student
Ronnie Harris, United States
Ian Patterson Retired IT Consultant
Edward Zanders scientist, Director
John Clark scientist, Professor of Critical Systems
Adrian Coles IT Manager
Pierre Linus Antonio Jonsson, Sweden
Kira Mourao scientist, PhD Student
Graham Dutfield Academic, Professor of International Governance
David Watt Professor of Computing Science
Tim Hopkins scientist, Reader in Numerical Computing
Carl Anders
Carolyn Howard-Johnston
Paul Blake Aquarium owner/manager
Matthew Fellows Software Developer
Chris Towell scientist
Leon Sebastian Illis scientist
Alan Sealey
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Richard Turner IT Director
Ian Parker
Mark Thomas IT Consultant
Dr Kenneth MacDonald IT, Computing Officer
Michael Smith scientist, PhD Student
Thomas Eccles Student
Allan Clark scientist, Research Assistant
Ronan Turner scientist, Computer Science Student
Are Thunes Samsonsen Journalist, Norway
Anuradha Jagalur
Thomas Meakin
Sid Plait Computer Consultant, USA
Ian Sommerville Scientist, Professor of Computer Science
James Kempster Finance, Investment Analyst
Arthur Richards Retired Headteacher
Catherine Gater Public Relations, Switzerland
Christine Dyer Retired IT Project Manager
Paul Harwood Graphic Designer
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Yianni Papaioannou
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Peter Cobbold scientist, Emeritus Professor
David Keech
Chris Murphy Designer
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Dr Stephen Day scientist, Lecturer
Alexei Tepikin Professor of Physiology
Shakir Ali scientist, Systems Manager
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Stephen Lennon
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Rod Dimaline Professor of Physiology
Luanne O'Neill science educator, science curriculum specialist, USA
Harold Eckert scientist, Emeritus Consultant Oncologist
Tim Paxton IT Manager
Brian Williams scientist, Research Assisstant
Paul Downs IT Engineer
Dr. Mike Just scientist
Brian Murff Jet Engine Technician
Joe Poynton Fire Fighter
Philip Verity Retired Engineer
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Karl Swann scientist, Professor
Suzanne Gildert scientist, Research Fellow in Physics
Tim Swift scientist, Lecturer In Mathematics
Steven Jewkes Software Engineer
Jan Carver
George Kellett scientist, Emeritus Professor of Molecular Physiology
Ravichander Vipperla scientist, PhD Student
Alan Cuthbert scientist, Emeritus Professor of Pharmaclogy
Paul Gledhill academic
Dominic Walliman scientist, PhD Research Student
Michel Genon Doctor, Australia
Andrew Halestrap scientist, Professor of Biochemistry,
Alexander K Svanevik scientist, MSc Student in Cognitive Science
Charlotte Manifold Counselling, Student
Willem Heijltjes scientist, PhD Student
Neil Haggath Software engineer
Brian Hulls retired firefighter
Jim Ryan Solicitor
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David Turner Engineer
Tatiana Rybina scientist, research associate
Barbara Xella Post-Doctoral Scientist
Alex Haddock IT, Technical Consultant
Leigh Jackson
Tom Wolf scientist, Teacher
Chris Chelu Physics Teacher
Christopher Carus Prison Officer
Alan Underwood Design Engineer
Zarif Rasul
Veronica Denyer Retired accountant
Joe Cooper Teacher
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James Cornhill
Howard Wright scientist, Speech Technologist
Kate Byrne scientist, research fellow,
Clare Dixon Accountant, Business Analyst
Rubin Thomas California
Simon Whyte Lawyer
Ashley Marlow Science Undergraduate
Morgan Cathcart Systems Engineer
Tania Charman
Rajesh KHER Engineer, CTO, India
Nigel Franks Retired patent examiner, France
Nicholas Seymour scientist
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Annabel Dow
Chaz Brenchley Novelist
Jane Hillston scientist, Professor of Quantitative Modelling
Oliver Jevons Management Consultant
Balazs Varga Programmer, Hungary
Joey Bryan Education, School Bd Member, USA
Diana O'Carroll journalist, producer, presenter
Julian Temple scientist
Dave Copland Software Engineer
Kevin Donnell Analyst, USA
Denise Patterso-Monroe baker
Last updated: December 10 2009
Simon Singh granted leave to appeal
Tuesday 14th October 2009
This morning at the Royal Courts of Justice Simon Singh was granted leave to appeal the preliminary ruling on meaning in his libel case with the BCA. In his judgement Lord Justice Laws said the balance between right to reputation and right to freedom of expression had tilted too far towards the former. He said that “There is no dispute that [Simon’s original article] is in the public interest, with no suspicion of malice and there is no question of good faith”. More on the judgement here
Simon Singh’s statement:
“This is a great result, but we now have to win the appeal…and then we have to win the trial. So there is still a long battle ahead in my case and in reforming the libel laws. Thank you to everyone for all your support and please use today’s success to encourage others to sign up to supporting libel reform.”
Coverage of the decision:
The Times Simon Singh legal victory
The Guardian Science writer Simon Singh wins ruling in chiropractic libel battle
Index on Censorship Simon Singh wins leave to appeal in BCA libel case
Press Gazette Singh wins right to fight on in chiropractic libel battle
Standpoint Magazine High Court Gives Mr Justice Eady a Good Kicking
New Statesman A defence of scientific inquiry
Nature blogs Simon Singh vs the British Chiropractic Association, redux
Last updated: October 18 2009
Richard Dawkins on why he supports keep libel laws out of science
Address to the Liberal Democrat Party Conference Sunday 20 September 2009
"Ladies and gentlemen, I feel honoured to be a guest here today, not being a politician and not being a member of your party - although I have voted Liberal Democrat in every election since the party was founded. Admittedly it helps that my MP happens to be Evan Harris, one of parliament's most effective champions of science and rationality. I am also aware of your party's strong and consistent record on free speech issues, for example leading the campaign against the blasphemy law. It has been well said that 'Blasphemy is a victimless crime.'
It is a lamentable observation that, because of the way our laws are skewed toward the plaintiff, London has become the libel capital of the world. Litigants are coming to England from another country, to sue people who live in a third country, over a book that was published in a fourth country - the excuse being that a handful of books were sold here too. A nice little round-the-world jaunt for lawyers it may be, but sensible or liberal it is not. Nor is it just.
Of course there must be redress if you are maliciously attacked in a way that damages you. But if such a law is cast too wide it has disastrous consequences on the public interest, not least in the area of science and medicine where the stakes are high, profits and reputations are guarded jealously, and the vulnerable need to be protected from unproven or fraudulent claims for cures, whether by 'alternative' therapists or big pharmaceuticals.
As a scientist, and as Oxford's inaugural Professor of the Public Understanding of Science, I have sometimes wondered why science itself cannot sue for libel. You can legally lie about the real world to your heart's content, but until some human being is materially damaged, nobody will complain. Teachers can legally tell innocent children the palpable falsehood that the world is less than 10,000 years old (the true figure is more than 4.5 billion years). The world cannot sue you for lying about its age, because the world cannot prove that it has been damaged by the lie!
But people really can be damaged by unscientific medicine. Homeopathy is obvious nonsense, and given another two minutes I could prove it to you. It can even be damaging, if it lures patients away from seeking the best, evidence-based medical advice until it is too late. Yet before saying a thing like that, I have to look nervously over my shoulder, intimidated by the notorious English libel laws. The biologist Olivia Judson wrote last week in the New York Times: Several times this summer, science journalists in London have leaned over to me and said something along the lines of, "I was thinking of writing," and gone on to describe an article that was going to be critical of someone. "But then," the speaker would gloomily conclude, "I thought to myself, 'Simon Singh,' and I decided not to."
Back in June leading academics, publishers, journalists, performers, clinicians, and scientists issued a public statement backing that courageous hero Simon Singh. The British Chiropractors Association has sued him for criticizing chiropractic claims to cure asthma and other childhoood complaints. I and many of my colleagues fear that, if Simon loses, it would have major implications on the freedom of scientists, researchers, and other commentators to engage in robust criticism of scientific, and pseudoscientific, work. It is possible in medicine, even when you intend to do good, to do harm instead. That is why science thrives on actively encouraging criticism rather than stifling it.
Dr Ben Goldacre who writes on science in the Guardian was bogged down for years defending - ultimately successfully - a libel claim brought in London by a German millionaire vitamin-pill salesman who was promoting his pills as a cure for AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
Scientists often disagree with one another, sometimes passionately. But they don't go to court to sort out their differences, they go into the lab, repeat the experiments, carefully examine the controls and the statistical analysis. We care about whether something is true, supported by the evidence. We are not interested in whether somebody sincerely believes he is right. There exist objective methods for discovering whether he is, as a matter of fact, right. If he is wrong, the evidence will show it, and – notwithstanding Judge Eadie - be blowed to whether he is sincere in his error or not.
If the British Chiropractic Association were really sincere, they wouldn't go into court to sue Simon Singh. They could have taken up the Guardian's offer of a right to reply. Or better, they could go into the lab and do an experiment to show him wrong. Why don't they submit their case to the higher court of scientific test? I think we all know the answer.
Or will I be sued for saying that? The trouble is, it's hard to know. That is the point. Do we really want discussions on matters of science, evidence and medicine, and indeed any area of public interest, to be conducted in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
Please support the amendment."
Read more about Keep Libel Laws out of Science at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference here
Back to Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign home page here
Last updated: October 07 2009
Lib Dems make a commitment to libel law reform
SUNDAY 20th SEPTEMBER
Fantastic news from our busy day at the Lib Dem conference.
Sile Lane, Sense About Science:
“The Liberal Democrats voted overwhelmingly in favour of libel law reform at their party conference on Sunday 20th September 2009. This is a great step forward in recognising that the chilling, stultifying effect of the English libel laws - on scientific debates and other important public discussions - has become dangerous and intolerable. There is still much more to do.”
Simon Singh’s reaction to Lib Dems commitment to libel law reform:
“I attended the Lib Dem conference yesterday, spoke at the fringe meeting on libel reform and witnessed the overwhelming vote in favour of libel reform - it was terrific to see the issue of libel moving up the political agenda. Evan Harris MP, Richard Dawkins and Prateek Buch (who proposed the libel amendment) all did a superb job, as did Sile Lane, Nick Cohen and Ben Goldacre who all spoke at the fringe meeting. There is still a long way to go before the laws are actually reformed, but the combination of popular support coupled with an obvious problem is clearly having an impact. If we can get 100,000 supporters, or perhaps 1 million supporters, then it will be hard for any political party to ignore the campaign for libel reform.”
Richard Dawkins addresses the Lib Dems on libel law reform. Read more.
Watch Professor Dawkins address the conference here and read his speech here
Press Coverage
BBC Online Relax ‘unjust’ libel law - Dawkins
The Guardian Richard Dawkins condemns British libel laws
The Sunday Times Richard Dawkins to call for changes to Britain’s libel laws
The TelegraphLiberal Democrats back calls from Richard Dawkins to reform libel laws
Press Gazette Richard Dawkins: Libel rules create atmosphere of fear for scientists
E politix.com Libel laws pose ‘serious public health problem’
Politics.co.uk Lib Dems challenge British libel law
Politics.co.uk The law that shames Britain
Last updated: October 18 2009
Richard Dawkins addresses Lib Dem conference
Sunday 20th September: Today Professor Richard Dawkins puts the case for libel law reform to the Liberal Democrat conference while proposing an amendment to the civil liberties bill.
Read his speech here
The scientist and author appears as a guest speaker at Liberal Democrat Party Conference. He will tell the conference that the chilling effect of libel laws on public debate about science and medicine, on writers and authors and on responsible journalism can no longer be ignored. The Lib Dem conference has given its permission for Professor Dawkins - who is not a party member - to address the conference.
Dr Evan Harris MP and Professor Richard Dawkins will be speaking as part of a debate on a motion on Civil Liberties, to which the following amendment was tabled:
Conference calls for: “17. The protection of freedom of expression, by reforming the libel laws in England and Wales to ensure that a better balance is provided between free speech, responsible journalism, scientific discourse and the public interest on the one hand and powerful corporations, wealthy individuals and vested interests on the other.”
Professor Dawkins said “The effects of England’s libel laws are especially pernicious where science is concerned” and that action must be taken to stop the law being “ridiculed as an international charter for litigious mountebanks. I urge the Liberal Democrats to support the call for reform, and hope that Labour and the Conservatives will follow, so that we can get cross-party support on this vital issue.”
There are long-standing concerns that English libel laws give too much power to the claimant, leading to a ‘chilling effect’ whereby writers are unable to critically analyse scientific and medical claims, for fear of legal action.
Dr Evan Harris MP, the party’s Science spokesman and one of the leaders of the campaign who submitted the amendment, said: “Liberal Democrats have a proud record on protecting free speech and we must now also recognise that balance in defamation is not right. It is shameful that London is regarded as the ‘libel capital of the world’ - where vested interests from around the globe can exploit our antiquated libel laws to silence valid criticism. The law needs to be better balanced towards free expression, responsible journalism and the public interest and away from the rich and powerful vested interests.”
Sile Lane, Sense About Science, who is coordinating the Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign, said: “Today’s debate is a great step forward in recognising that the chilling, stultifying effect of the English libel laws - on scientific debates and other important public discussions – has become dangerous and intolerable.”
Nick Ross, Broadcaster said: “If you think you support English libel laws, go and watch how they’re applied! It is not edifying - it is painfully long-winded, mired in esoteric rules, and colossally expensive. Of course people should have a right to challenge if they feel defamed. But not the way we do it. Not through indulgence of costly and adversarial lawyers and a dogged adherence to custom and practice. And a public interest defence should, by default, exempt controversies in science.”
Stephen Fry, Broadcaster and Author said: “Freedom in politics, in thought and in speech followed the rise of empirical science which refused to take anything on trust, on faith, on hope or even on reason. When a powerful organisation tries to silence a man of Simon Singh’s reputation then anyone who believes in science, fairness and the truth should rise in indignation.”
A conference fringe event debating Defending free speech - Keep libel laws out of science organised by Dr Prateek Buch and involving Sile Lane, Dr Simon Singh, Dr Ben Goldacre, Nick Cohen and Dr Evan Harris MP takes place on Sunday 20th September in Highcliff Marriott Hotel, Blandford Syndicate 3 between 13.00 and 14.15.
Last updated: September 21 2009
Peer Review Survey 2009: Preliminary Findings
Should peer review detect fraud and misconduct? What does it do for science and what does the scientific community want it to do? Will it illuminate good ideas or shut them down? Should reviewers remain anonymous?
On 8th September 2009 the preliminary findings of one of the largest ever international surveys of authors and reviewers, the Peer Review Survey 2009 1, were released. The findings were presented in the session "Science Fact or Science Fiction: Should Peer Review Stop Plagiarism, Bias or Fraud?" at the British Science Festival, where Tracey Brown of Science About Science, David Adam of The Guardian and Peter Hayward of Lancet Infectious Diseases debated the challenges of publishing research.
Peer review is fundamental to integration of new research findings. It allows other researchers to analyse findings and society at large to weigh up research claims. It results in 1.3 million3 learned articles published every year, and it is growing rapidly with the expansion of the global research community. With that growth come new concerns - about getting the next generation of researchers to review in sufficient numbers, about maintaining the system's integrity and whether it can be truly globalised; and also new ideas - about alternative quality measures, technologies to prevent plagiarism, rewarding reviewers and training them.
Sense About Science has promoted understanding of peer review to help people to work out whether research claims have been independently scrutinised. But with all the proposed changes and expansion in research publication, what do researchers think about peer review and its future? To find out, Sense About Science developed the Peer Review Survey 2009, in consultation with editors and publishers and administered with a grant from Elsevier; the survey included some questions from the Peer Review Survey 20074 for comparison, and new questions about future improvements, public awareness and pressures on the system.
Tracey Brown, Managing Director: "The 2007 survey had raised some of the issues. We sought to broaden that, particularly to find out whether the demand for all this free, independent scrutiny from the research community is sustainable, and what the future of quality control is likely to be. It's a matter of public as well as scientific interest."
Preliminary findings include:
- Playing an active role in the community is top of reasons to review: 90% say they review because they believe they are playing an active role in the community; only 16% say that increasing their chances of having future papers accepted is a reason to review.
- Researchers want to improve, not replace peer review:
- 84% believe that without peer review there would be no control in scientific communication, but only a third (32%) think it is the best that can be achieved; 20% of researchers believe that peer review is unsustainable because of too few willing reviewers.
- 91% say that their last paper was improved through peer review; the discussion was the biggest area of improvement.
- 73% of reviewers (a sub-group) say that technological advances have made it easier to do a thorough job than 5 years ago. Whilst 86% enjoy reviewing, 56% say there is a lack of guidance on how to review; 68% think formal training would help. On average, reviewers turn down two papers a year.
- Just 15% of respondents felt that 'formal' peer review could be replaced by usage statistics.
- 61% of reviewers have rejected an invitation to review an article in the last year, citing lack of expertise as the main reason - this suggests that journals could better identify suitable reviewers.
- High expectations:
- 79% or more of researchers think that peer review should identify the best papers, determine their originality and importance, improve those papers and, though lower scoring, also determine whether research is plagiarised or fraudulent.
- While 43% of respondents thought peer review was too slow, 65% of authors (a further sub-group) reported that they had received a decision on their most recent paper within 3 months.
- Reviewers want anonymity: 58% would be less likely to review if their signed report was published. 76% favour the double blind system where just the editor knows who the reviewers are.
- Understanding of peer review: Researchers agree that peer review is well understood by the scientific community but just 30% believe the public understands the term.
- Papers aren't recognising previous work: 81% think peer review should ensure previous research is acknowledged; 54% think it currently does. This reflects current concerns in the research community5.
- Detecting plagiarism and fraud might be a noble aim but is not practical: A majority think peer review should detect plagiarism (81%) or fraud (79%) but fewer (38% and 33%) think it is capable of this.
- Reviewers divided over incentives: Just over half of reviewers think receiving a payment in kind (e.g. subscription) would make them more likely to review; 41% wanted payment for reviewing, but this drops to just 2.5% if the author had to cover the cost. Acknowledgement in the journal is the most popular option.
Comment from Editors:
Robert Campbell, Wiley-Blackwell & Chairman, Publishing Research Consortium: "Most researchers give up time to review papers for no charge. The whole scholarly communication system is dependent on this. Why do they do it? This study helps us to answer the question. And I take heart in the finding that 85% of the around 4000 respondents quite simply do it because they enjoy being able to improve papers. "
Sir Brian Heap, Vice Chairman, European Academies Science Advisory Council: "These latest insights from researchers show why the peer review process continues to be so important - and enjoyable!"
Adrian Mulligan, Associate Director of Research and Academic Relations, Elsevier: "I'm impressed by the vast amount of responses to the study - it tells us just how engaged the scientific community is with peer review. Not only do they greatly value it, but they have a strong desire to enhance it. Elsevier in partnership with editors, plays an active role in developing peer review, and we are moving forward with initiatives such as Crosscheck, a pan-publisher plagiarism detection tool. We are keen to look at other ways to respond to the views raised in this survey."
Irene Hames, Managing Editor The Plant Journal, Author 'Peer Review and Manuscript Management in Scientific Journals: guidelines for good practice': "It's very important to know what authors and reviewers actually think about the current status of peer review. Too many commentators make broad generalizations that are not evidence based. So I welcome this large-scale survey from Sense About Science. Once again, the importance with which peer review is viewed comes through, with the great majority of researchers believing that without peer review there would be no control in scientific communication. That is not to say there aren't problems - there clearly are, and improvements and innovative solutions are needed. Crucial in this is the need to professionalize this area of activity, which too often is put in the hands of people who may have great academic reputations and research expertise, but no experience of running a peer-review system."
Notes- The Peer Review Survey was an electronic survey conducted between 28th July 2009 and 11th August 2009; 40,000 researchers were randomly selected from the ISI author database, which contains published researchers from over 10,000 journals. Altogether 4,037 researchers completed our survey. The error margin was ± 1.5% at 95% confidence levels; reviewers answered a subset of questions aimed specifically at reviewers (3,597 - a subset of the base) the error margin for this group was ± 1.6% at 95% confidence levels.
- The full findings and report are due to be published in November 2009.
- Bjork et al (2008) 'Global annual volume of peer reviewed scholarly articles and the share available via different Open Access options' Proceedings ELPUB2008 Conference on Electronic Publishing - Toronto, Canada - June 2008
- Publishing Research Consortium (2007) 'Peer Review in Scholarly Journals: perspective of the scholarly community. An international study'
- Chalmers & Glasziou (2009) 'Avoidable waste in the production and reporting of research evidence' The Lancet; 374: 86-89.
Media Coverage
The Times Online A review of peer review
Times Higher Education Peer Reviewers satisfied with the system
BBC World Service Europe Today(about 20 minutes into clip)
Nature blogs Peer review reviewed
Chemistry World Peer review under the microscope
Information World Review Researchers show loyalty to peer review but want a lot more from it
Physics World blog And the survey say...
Last updated: September 10 2009
WHO does not recommend the use of homeopathy for HIV, malaria, TB, influenza and infant diarrhoea
21st August 2009: The WHO has responded to the open letter and said that it DOES NOT recommend the use of homeopathy for treating HIV, TB, malaria, influenza and infant diarrhoea. The Director General’s office has confirmed that the responses from WHO departments (below) “clearly express the WHO’s position”. Today the Voice of Young Science network, has written to the health ministers of all countries to publicise the WHO’s position, asking them to combat the promotion of homeopathy for these dangerous diseases.
Comments from the WHO:
Dr Mario Raviglione, Director, Stop TB Department, WHO: “Our evidence-based WHO TB treatment/management guidelines, as well as the International Standards of Tuberculosis Care (ISTC) do not recommend use of homeopathy.”
Dr Mukund Uplekar, TB Strategy and Health Systems, WHO: “WHO’s evidence-based guidelines on treatment of tuberculosis…have no place for homeopathic medicines.”
Dr Teguest Guerma, Director Ad Interim, HIV/AIDS Department, WHO: “The WHO Dept. of HIV/AIDS invests considerable human and financial resources [...] to ensure access to evidence-based medical information and to clinically proven, efficacious, and safe treatment for HIV… Let me end by congratulating the young clinicians and researchers of Sense About Science for their efforts to ensure evidence-based approaches to treating and caring for people living with HIV.”
Dr Sergio Spinaci, Associate Director, Global Malaria Programme, WHO: “Thanks for the amazing documentation and for whistle blowing on this issue… The Global Malaria programme recommends that malaria is treated following the WHO Guidelines for the Treatment of Malaria.”
Joe Martines, on behalf of Dr Elizabeth Mason, Director, Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development, WHO: “We have found no evidence to date that homeopathy would bring any benefit to the treatment of diarrhoea in children…Homeopathy does not focus on the treatment and prevention of dehydration - in total contradiction with the scientific basis and our recommendations for the management of diarrhoea.”
Media Coverage
BBC online Homeopathy not a cure, says WHO
BMJ WHO warns against using homoeopathy to treat serious diseases
The Independent Steve Connor: Lack of waves causes ripples of excitement
Kaiser Family Foundation WHO Recommends Against Using Homeopathic Treatments For HIV, TB, Malaria, Influenza, Infant Diarrhea
USA Today WHO warns against homeopathy treatments
Rocket News WHO warns against homeopathy use
Digital Journal Medics Condemn Homeopathic Treatments
Newser WHO Sounds Alarm on Homeopathy
World News Network WHO warns against homeopathy use
Drugs and Diseases Homeopathy not a cure, says WHO
NetDoctor Homeopathy ‘not a cure’ for disease
The Millenium Project WHO does not recommend the use of homeopathy for HIV, malaria, TB, influenza and infant diarrhoea
hc2d.co.uk Homeopathy not recommended by WHO
PharmiWeb.com Homeopathy: No Science, No Proof, No Cure
Ghana Broadcasting Corporation WHO warns against homeopathy use
Kenya Broadcasting Corporation WHO warns against homeopathy use
El Pais, Spain La OMS desaconseja el uso de la homeopatia para el tratamiento del sida o la malaria
L’Express, France Faut-il se mefier de l’homeopathie?
NU.nl, Netherlands WHO waarschuwt voor homeopathie
Eesti Paevaleht, Estonia WHO hoiatab HIVi ja malaaria homoopaatilise ravi eest
Helsingin Sanomat, Finland WHO varoittaa homeopaattisista hoidoista
Corriere della Sera, Italy Oms: preoccupazione per la diffusione dell’omeopatia nel terzo mondo
Delfi, Lithuania Pasauline sveikatos organizacija ispeja del homeopatijos naudojimo
Polskie Radio, Poland WHO ostrzega przed homeopatia
Journal of Turkish Weekly WHO warns against homeopathy use
The Times of India Homeopathy doesn’t help in HIV, TB, malaria
Thaindian News, Thailand People with HIV, TB, malaria should not rely on homeopathy, says WHO
The News, Pakistan WHO warns against homeopathy treatments
Estadao.com.br, Brazil OMS alerta para risco de homeopatia contra Aids e malaria
Excelsior, Mexico Desaconseja OMS homeopatia para sida, tuberculosis o malaria
SurySur, Argentina El imposible caso del Dr. House homeopata
Le Mauricien, Mauritius Dangerous homeopathy
Radio Netherlands Worldwide Sceptics want homeopathy banned in Africa, RADIO INTERVIEW
Blogs and Web Forums
Last updated: August 27 2009
Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 17
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.
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Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated
Gerard Duncan Northern Ireland
Andy Morse Scientist
Darren Dodd Parliamentary Researcher
Jurate Blediene Medic, Lithuania
Alex Walker Scientific Project Manager
David Evans Professor of Virology
Kenneth Peace Scientist
David McGrane Teacher
Michael Paterson Scientist
Adam Christopherson Scientist, Ph.D Student
Brandon Dilbeck Undergraduate Statistics Student
Raymond Green Civil Servant
David Pratt
Mike Scrimshaw
Kevin McGrath Biomedical scientist
James Retell Ph.D Student, Australia
Ryan Johnson Engineer, United States
Bryn Davies Software Development Manager
Nick Anthis Graduate Student
Mike Maldonado Medical Student, USA
Mike Smith Canada
Helen Upson Student
Luke Fielding Fine Artist/Graphic Designer
Francois Choquette Aerospace Engineer, USA
Hugh Somerville Education Senior Manager
Steve Rowe Pharmacist, South Africa
Jan Wallin Engineer, Sweden
Dominic Ames Student
John Fecci Educator, Chile
Lesley-Anne Reidie Research Scientist
Pontus Lofgren Computer Consultant, Sweden
Sukant Khurana Scientist, USA
Patrick Linzer Statistician, South Africa
Bernard Halter Scientist
John P. Jackson
Janice McKay
Ian Carter Scientist
John P. Jackson GP, Switzerland
Toby Dignum Dentist
Jonas Haase Archivist, Germany
Matt White Financial Analyst
Julie Melano Australia
Christopher Owen USA
Terry Scurr Retired Local Government Officer
Anne Moore USA
Maria McAdam Bookkeeper, Australia
Ben Towell Engineer
Shara Smith Technician, USA
Cassandra Bilyeu Teacher and Computer Technician, USA
Danya Rose Ph.D. Student in Applied Mathematics, Australia
Douglas Kinney Dentist, Belgium
Sumen Rai Teacher, Australia
John Argus Systems Administrator, Canada
Darren Davis PhD Student, USA
Scott Gregory Australia
Dan-Raoul Miranda Student
Michael Phillips Dental Surgeon
Bjarte Aune Olsen Computer Engineer, Norway
Anish Shah Doctor
Michael Minchella IT Support
Manu Roig Artist
Nick James Chartered Surveyor
Sir Michael Berry Professor of Physics
Will Macnair
Amos Storkey Scientist
Simon Shears
Michael Taylor Student
Geoffrey Bramall Chartered Surveyor
William Sharp Electrical Engineer
Toby Hopkins Nuclear Scientist
Richard Cooper Financial Adviser
Alistair Young Economist, Emeritus Professor
Theodore Hong Research Associate
Joseph Sherwood Engineering PhD Student
Ann Burn
Darren Aldridge IT Professional
Carl Davies Learning and Development
Katarzyna Kozdon Student
Elaine Gourlay PhD Student
David Brown Professor of Pharmacology
Sally Foster
Stuart Scrace
Steuart Campbell Freelance Science Writer
William Beswick Medical Student
Jan Witkowski Professor, USA
Matthew Grapes Scientist
Matthew Morgan
David Moor
Peter Thompson Industrial Scientist
Rick Twyman Teacher
Tom Hiskey Solicitor
Deirdre Fowles Canada
Michael Penney Chemical Pathologist
John Snyder Physician, USA
Ian Smith Healthcare Professional
Thomas Brooks Graduate
Michele Fitzgerald Research Coordinator, Canada
Melvin Kellner Programmer, Belgium
Mary Wimbury Director
Matthew Sydes Senior Medical Statistician
Keith Hudson Academic and Episcopal Priest, USA
Daniel Bassett Sweden
Penny Thompson Teacher
Kristopher Perkin Formulation Scientist, Ireland
Inaki Fernandez Sastre Juggler
Kerri Aylesbury Project Manager, Australia
Michael Gage Freelance Film Editor
Liza Breckler Chemist, Australia
Richard Stephens Scientist
Jussi Klemetti Student, Finland
Tom Parsons Scientist
Christopher Chattin Analytical Chemist
Simon Goodwin Research Fellow
Liyon SV Software Engineer, India
Andrew BarwellPostgraduate Researcher in Mathematics
Pamela Taylor Undergraduate Secretary in Mathematics
Paul Bristow Scientist, Germany
Graham Harper
Peter Barwell Psychotherapist
Stewart Cross Vice Principal
Geoffrey Singleton Retired GP
John Knight Student
Susannah Money NHS Project Officer
Gabriel Rogers Research Fellow
David Phillips Clinical Trials Administrator
Bruce Adams Software Engineer
Catherine Sebastian PhD student
Greg Dingley IT Professional
Hannah Roberts Student
Dylan Smith Software Engineer
Jason Loxton PhD Candidate Earth Sciences, Canada
Kimberley Whitehead Healthcare Scientist
Andrew Allison Lawyer
Mark Ketley Structural Engineer
Amit Agarwal Software
Jenny McCleery Doctor, Consultant Psychiatrist
Simon Dunning Medical Sales
Tim Little Student
Keith Ennis Teacher of Mathematics
Edward Carew-Robinson Physics Teacher
Francis Burton Scientist
Anthony Attwood Telecommunications Engineer
Janet Holmes Australia
Thomas A. Vojir Scientist, USA
Marko Vilus Student, Australia
David Chasey Writer, USA
Peter Gotzsche Scientist, Denmark
Kathleen Burn Manager
Robin Dunbar Professor of Evolutionary Anthropology
Jack Holden TV Editor
Paul Milton Training Secondary Chemistry Teacher
Joseph Momberg Consultant
Bill Jordan Tutor, Australia
Andy Dring
Samantha Winter Biomechanics
Birger Lindberg Sweden
Donald Reid Scientist, PhD student
Michael Fife Engineer
Richard Dunning Medical Practitioner, Saudi Arabia
Virginia Leggatt Medical Doctor
Maria Allison Pharmacist
James Reagan Retired Public Health Officer, USA
Georgeanne Scharf Retired Teacher, USA
Stuart M. Miller Cardiologist, USA
Erik Fitzpatrick Retired M.D., USA
Henry Adam Scientist
Simon Hayes IT Consultant
Joseph G. Michel Family Physician, Canada
Kaustubh Girme Software Developer, India
Hugh Gormley Video Producer, Australia
Robert Cutler USA
David Petticrew Science Teacher
Jeffrey Marshall Pharmacist, USA
Robin Bodley Electronics Technician, New Zealand
Dave Rainham Physician, Canada
Izabella Balakirsky Nurse
Grenville Kato-Morcom Horticulturist, Australia
Alessandro Falcone IT Consultant, Italy
William Stork Educator, Hong Kong
Vernon John Civil Servant
Robert Ross Educator
David J. Smith Research Fellow
Phillip J. Gaskill Editor,USA
Ross Dunne Scientist, Ireland
John Griffith Doctor
Jeannie Smith Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist
Helen Gray Midwife
Greg Blakeley Customer Service Assistant
Ben Cosway Medical Student, Wales
Tim Beeton Civil Servant
David Corcoran Student
Lawrence Melaik Dentist, USA
Karen Donaldson Physician, USA
Henry Rowe Physician, USA
Gabriel Acock Library Assistant, USA
Ken Campbell Clinical Information Officer
Daniel Beegan Retired Journalist and Monastic Monk, USA
Marco Bertamini Scientist
Johnny Carrington Art History Student
Hannah Milton GP Registrar
Tom Yates Doctor, Academic Foundation Programme Trainee
Vanessa Jessop Medical Student
Niklas Theorin Scientist, Sweden
Neil Gaiman Author, UK and USA
Jason Poley Animator, Australia
Lawrence Matson Geologist, USA
Lee Mctaggart Bar/restaurant Manager
Eric Clark Author
Peter Moore Database Administrator
James Chan Medical Student
Warren Bonett Bookshop Owner, Australia
Bryony Whipp Medical Officer
Elizabeth Gordon Surgeon
Anders Martinsson Science Teacher, Sweden
Stephen Glass Researcher, Australia
Robert Morgan Analytical Chemist
Kate Carmody Accountant
Adrian Gibbs
Cory Skinner Actuary, Canada
Richard Wagner Clinical Pharmacist, USA
David Andersson Student, Sweden
Johannes Knapp Reader in Astroparticle Physics
Jean Christophe
Thomas Wise Artist, USA
Anthony Johnston Software Company
Thomas Read Research Associate, Canada
John Mahony IT Professional, France
Bill Hanage Royal Society University Research Fellow
Elizabeth Oakden Scientist
Michael Terhune USA
Michael Page Scientist, USA
David Paramore Mathematics Teacher
Denis Dowland Artist
Michael Thor Student, Sweden
Benjain Delfin Computer Programmer, USA
Dave O'Neill Scientist, Ireland
Brittany Scott-Rimington Student in Mathematical Sciences, Australia
Steven Parfitt Police Officer, Australia
Eli Anne Eiesland Linguist, Norway
Stefan Gates TV Presenter and Author
Roger Fletcher Medic
Warwick Green Surveyor
Andrew McGrath Scientist, Senior Research Fellow, Australia
Andy Irvine Engineering Contracts Manager
Forzana Khanom
Linda Arvhult Medical Student, Sweden
Lennart Widlund Physicist, Sweden
Eloise Cook Science Student, Australia
Leila Eadie Researcher
Gordon Drummond Doctor of Medicine
Ruth Paget Health Editor
Rob Freeman Post-Doc
Natalie Kay-Thatcher Student
Robin White
Kevin Lockwood Software Developer
Mark Finkelstein Administrator, USA
Ed Verf Scientist
Simon Johnson
Mike Collins Independent Scholar
Percy Ferry IT Programmer, Australia
Liam McDaid Astronomy Coordinator and Professor of Astronomy, USA
Stephanie Adamovsky USA
Robin Catchpole Astronomer
Martin Jonsson-Niedziolka Research Fellow, Poland
Victor Mattheij Chemical Engineer, Spain
Lee Shorney Customer Service
John Chapple Trade Unionist
Henrik Petren Scientist, Sweden
William Fisher Teacher
Mark Dowson Chartered Accountant
Erin Nephin Librarian
Richard Ballema Printer, USA
Serena Viti Reader in Astrophysics
Linda Mihkelson
Shane Rogers Student, USA
Robert Rowe Advanced Biomedical Scientist
David Branson Graduate Student in Biology, USA
Paul Mitchell Principal Lecturer in Ecology
Andrew Malloy Publisher
Thomas Terry Registered Nurse, USA
Jonathan Allcock Teacher
Ric Bek Engineer
Michael Wardman Computer Consultant, Australia
Zsolt Nemeth Engineer, Hungary
Benjamin Leslie Student
Ryan Treby Austraila
Anthony Jordan Actuary
Allen Elledge Pressman, USA
Frances Yeoman Journalist
Kay Magaard Scientist
Pete Evanson Assistant Registrar
Angela Dillon Psychologist
Ben Cronin Manager
Deepesh Srivastava Software Engineer
Grant Webb Scientist
Christopher Makin
Alix Biancardi Science Writer/Editor
Laurel Cave
Kelly Banco Pharmacy Student, Canada
Frank Van Maroey Computer Programmer, Belgium
Paul Bosomworth Business Owner, USA
Luke Costa Nutrition Consultant, Australia
Jodie Ward Librarian
Thomas Milton Veterinary Science Student, Australia
James Griffiths Software Engineer
Stuart McNeil Chartered Engineer
David Allan Student/Volunteer
Bernard Betts Retired Scientist
Iain Holmes Computer Programmer, North Ireland
Wim Lemkens Software Developer, Belgium
Rory Morrison Researcher
Claire Lock Biomedical Scientist
John Joyce Doctor
Mark Burns IT Manager
Samuel Durkin Mental Health Services, USA
John Swartzberg Medical Doctor Clinical Professor, USA
Thomas Perls Associate Professor of Medicine and Geriatrics, USA
Ravi Dunn
Shawn Adams Student, USA
Alexander Mitchell Retired Auditor
Ian Chamberlain Journalist
Henry Adam Retired Scientist
Kevin Henderson Electrician, Canada
Gary Thompson OHS Professional, Australia
Pedro Molina-Sanchez Postgraduate Student
Alvar Laigna Information Services Developer, Estonia
Mirenchu Fernandez Photographer, USA
Peter Nave Retired Scientist, Germany
Diana Gilbert Retired Physics Teacher, Ireland
David Williams Accountant
Christopher Fowler Civil Servant
Lauren Cook Scientist, USA
Steve Hoyt Marine Archeologist, USA
Norman Franzen Mathematician PhD, USA
Jason Sigritz Student
Roderick Eaton Analyst and Technologist
Matt Price Scientist
Victor Ainsworth Book Seller
Candida Craig Weston Former Advisor to Local and National Government
Annette Dolphin Professor of Pharmacology
Paul Millington Scientist
Alan Dinehart DC Retired Chiropractor, USA
Peter Lefley General Practitioner
Susan Shakespeare Barrister
Mary Atherton Teacher
George Nixon Student
Randy Lewis USA
Effrosyni Papamichalopoulou Attorney at Law, Greece
Andy Pratt Regulatory Afffairs Manager
Paul Brown Data Mining Consultant
Darragh Wilson Science/Engineering Student, Australia
Neil Tisdale Engineer
Jeffrey Cann Software Engineer
James Pringle Professor of Theoretical Astronomy
Dillon Taylor Educator, South Korea
Henrik Barth Physician, Sweden
Stephen McGilp IT
Matthew Leifer Postdoctoral Researcher
Owen Rackham Phd Student
Veronica Gardell Student, Sweden
Jim Leonard Programmer, USA
Isabeau Premont-Schwarz Scientist
Ian Durham Professor of Physics, USA
Christopher Burrows Undergraduate Student, Canada
Richard Gill Professor of Mathematical Statistics, Netherlands
Louise Heiniger Research Assistant, Australia
Chris Rook General Practitioner, Australia
Sarah Moore Lecturer in Sociology and Criminology
Philip Adsley Scientist, PhD Student
Ivan Peters Developer, New Zealand
Michael Wakelam Professor
David Swallow Research Associate
Robert Collins Teacher
Joel Sorensson Engineer, Sweden
Peter Kavanagh Engineer, Ireland
Jeremy Taylor IT Consultant
Ian Mitchell Scientist, Canada
Rhian Skirving Documentary Filmmaker, Australia
Philip Steele Computer Analyst, Australia
Jessica Rowden Student
Aviv Zohar PhD Candidate in Computer Science, Israel
Matthew Christopherson Specialist Registrar in Paediatrics
Sarah Cole Science Communicator, Australia
Roberta Connor
Paul Duffield Illustrator, Comic Book Artist
Ben Saunders Web Developer
Paul Caira Teacher, Head of Mathematics
Kate Brown Illustrator, Comic Book Artist
Ronan O'Sullivan Software Developer, Ireland
Michael Sherry Postgraduate Student, Ireland
Stinus Lindgreen Ph.D student, Denmark
Helen Ward GP
Erik Peeters IT Manager, Belgium
Sam Kalubowila Education
Keith Sage Media
Alan Trinder Retired Pharmacist
Judy Harris Professorial Teaching Fellow
Jon Gurr Scientist
Emma Jeggo HE Professional Services
Merijn Vogel Scientific software programmer, Netherlands
John Pardey Medical Practitioner, Australia
Dr Serena Viti Scientist
Michael Bush Mathematician, USA
Simon Turner Software Developer
Alex Paseka Assistant Professor, Canada
Jim Deane Businessman, South Africa
Jim Cameron IT Manager
John MacBrayne Veterinary Surgeon
Robin Turner QA Lab Analyst, USA
William Sharpe Electrician, USA
William Grant Journalist, USA
Paul Lewis Psychiatric nurse
Dr. Nicholas Sculthorpe Senior Lecturer Exercise Physiology
Rodney Scott Professor of Genetics, Australia
John Heesen Building, Belgium
Josha Inglis Student, Australia
Sean McMahon Earth Sciences Masters Student
Nestor Lewyckyj Engineer, Canada
Daryl Klopp Dentist, USA
Richard Grant Dentist
Simon Heifetz Retired Technology Executive, United States
Arndt von Hippel retired heart surgeon, USA
Han Kessels Researcher, Netherlands
Sally Sykes Portrait Painter, Portugal
Allen Wright
Richard Landsman Skier, USA
Andreas Lochmann Scientist, Germany
Mark Griffiths Education
Ashley Carr Engineering Manager, USA
Jay Lee United States
Joel Fyan Software Developer, United States of America
David Lemmo Education, Student, United States
Sherry Jones Software Developer, USA
Frederick Jobbins Student
Ryan Winter Student
Nicholas Cross Renal physician, New Zealand
Kirk Kolas Veterinarian, Canada
Chris Barber scientist, Undergraduate Astrophysics Student, Canada
Martin Wright
Daniel Gee Civil Servant, Policy Adviser (Vocational Qualifications)
Mike Hutchings scientist, Research manager chemical industry
John Hallewell scientist, Retired Teacher
Ron Kindon Retired Headteacher, previously Head of Science Department
Angelo Bruno Truck Driver, USA
Ilya Eigenbrot Education, Principal, Switzerland
Orry Quine Retired teacher
Joanna Griffith scientist, PhD student, Australia
Rachel Yates scientist, Assistant Psychologist
Adrian Whipp Technician, United States
Robert Enzenauer Physician Pediatric Ophthalmologist, Professor and Chair Ophthalmology, USA
Knute Rife Attorney, USA
Erling Røsæg Engineer (B.Sc), Senior Solution Architect, Norway
Tim Field retired computer programmer, USA
Ian Brown teacher, secondary school teacher of languages, Belgium
Danny Baxter student
Justin student
Mary Hanson journalist
Morris Tyler
Christopher Kenyon Technology; Software
Simon McNeil Fiction Author, Canada
Ann Samild scientist, Dietitian, Australia
Joshua Meeklah Sales
Colin Hallewell
Neil Dyson IT Engineer, Australia
Felicity Currie scientist
Stephen Halder Publisher
Peter van der Feen Video Editor Dutch Broadcast, the Netherlands
David Dean Physiotherapy, Lecturer in Physiotherapy
Vanessa Lawton scientist, Consultant Obstetrician; Gynaecologist
Jill Grant Singer
Adrian Mason scientist
Tim Thorley
Michael Fox USA
Alexander Gee Engineer
Wim Van der Weerd retired designer, France
Douglas Sebom Military service, Sweden
Darin Hawley Information Technology, USA
Nadine Hengen Educator, Luxembourg
Laura Turnham Science researcher
Hans Cox Student, USA
Steve Moore Housing Association Manager
Chris Ratley Insurance Agent, USA
Henning William Halck Senior Revenues Officer
Mike Bernays Veterinary Ophthalmologist, Australia
Caitlin Fry Bookseller, PhD student, Australia
Jason Spyromilio Astronomer, Germany
Joeri De Rijck Materials Science, Belgium
Tharin Blumenschein Lecturer in Biomolecular NMR,
Mattias Sandstrom Student, Sweden
Don Cox Lecturer
Adi Himpson Communications Manager for an e-Research Centre,
Kevin Kooiker Emergency physician, United States of America
Thomas Kirkland Staff Scientist, USA
Eric Robinson Film maker, Director
John Morris IT Manager
John Harford
Norton Bell Engineer, USA
Melvin Kirschner Family Physician and Biomedical Ethicist, USA
Ben Molony Finance
Michael Derousselle Network Administrator, United States
Jerry Morrow
David Wendt USA
Paul Pettyjohn USA
Geert Jan van Oldenborgh Senior researcher, Netherlands
Adam Barnes Finance
Hetty Malcolm-Smith
Rick Scorner
Pardeep Bamrah Dental Technician, Spain
Alan Dobson Software Engineer
Pascal Tissot IT Professional
Piers Nye University Lecturer
Curtis Renwick Canada
Arthur Landy PhD
Mark Gibbons Student of mathematics and physics
Thad Woodard MD, United States
Owen Murphy College nutrition instructor, United States
Susan Fitzpatrick
Matthew Hewitt Freelance Broadcast Journalist
Ron Carey, Australia
András Horváth HR Consultant, Hungary
Conor Magee Surgeon
John Eggleton Doctor (GP
Amanda Hall Doctor (GP)
Mark Tibbetts PhD Student
Tamara Tompsett Undergraduate Student
Therese Ahlstam IT Consultant, Sweden
Benedict Declercq Special needs teacher, Belgium
Daniel Boije Web manager, Sweden
Michael Stern Endodontist, United States
Erik J. Rudvall Copywriter, Sweden
David Eisner Professor of Cardiac Physiology
Anders Kagerin Engineer, Sweden
Mattias Lantz Postdoctoral Fellow, Japan
Alison Bird Artist, Australia
Stuart Logan Professor
Jerome O'Mahony Software Developer, Ireland
Theresa Roberts Orthopedic Physiotherapist, USA
Mark Fry Systems Analyst
Ole Martin Halck Analyst/programmer, Norway
Benjamin McRoberts Student
Jane McRoberts Managing Director
Colette Padovani Artist
Frank Mertens, Belgium
Graham Whyte Laboratory Manager
Christie Jensen Reference librarian, U.S.A.
Thomas Troxel Engineer, USA
Emma Suckling Research student
Sanford Sorkin Educator, USA
Steven Littlewood Trade union advocate, Australia
Matt Steele Student/Musician, Michigan
Rosanna Gonzalez-McQuire Scientific Translator, Greece
Matt Whitaker Publications Officer
Graham Edgar Architecture
Malcolm Blake Mathematics teacher, Thailand
Anthony Morris Teacher
David Barker Quantity Surveyor
Saskia Troy student of philosophy, researcher, The Netherlands
Melanie Hall Freelance journalist
Stephen Hoare college lecturer
Stefan Reinsberg scientist, Assist Prof, Canada
Charlie Hannigan Student
Matthew Bennett Design Engineer
Brendan Trewin scientist, Research Assistant, Australia
Caz Murray scientist, Research, Australia
Patrick York Australia
Sivaan Mouri Kadima Greenzweig,Israel
Heather-Rose Macklyne Biochemistry Student
Joanna Northcott Postgraduate
John Devlin, Canada
Patrick Whelband Freelance Journalist
Laris Macpherson Psychology student, Netherlands
Michelle Creswell Garden Designer
Martijn Budding Engineer, The Netherlands
Amanda Hall Lecturer
Dr Sam Birtwell Research Fellow
Elisabeth L K Gill Student, United States
Nicholas Shaw
Andrew Stapleton Researcher
R.J.A. Berk Teacher, The Netherlands
Jose Ramon Perez-Valdivieso Scientist, Spain
Michael O'Neil Art Director
Bengt Lund-Jensen Professor Experimental Physics, Sweden
Christine Peace Teacher
Susanna Rees
Kristian Student, Sweden
Benjamin Saxon Sound Engineer
Caroline Catmur Research Fellow
Tim Penning Actuary
Helena Watts Neuroscientist
Jan Lindebjerg Pathologist, Denmark
Chris Staddon Senior Experimental Officer
Michael Kerry Singer/Actor
Dr Christopher Hurley Medicinal Chemist
Andrew Degnan Medical student radiology researcher, USA
Daniel Xu Student, New Zealand
Ronan Harte GP Registrar
Bogdan Bucur Researcher, Romania
Rebecca Renberg Graduate Student, USA
Bonnie Heinsohn Marketing, USA
Thomas Adamski Science student, United States
Dana Kaiser Insurance
William Douglas Directeur de Recherche au CNRS, France
Phil Bergman Scientist
Robert Reganess
Karl Brandspigel Physician, United States
Charles Miller Accountant, USA
Sara Vincent
Harold Nichols Accounting/Finance, United States
Jean Jones Administrator, US
Katrina Hall Library Supervisor, US
Deborah Carlson Medical Physician (Psychiatry), USA
Ronald Shuey Science Teacher, USA
Andrew MacIntosh Canada
Louise OLeary
Bruce Munn Accountant
Michael Dempsey Surgeon, USA
Philip Wemhoff Building Consultant, USA
Trevor Duncan Optometrist (retired), New Zealand
Brian Westley Programmer, USA
Klement Stojanovski PhD student
Olly Denton Teacher
Rosie Furner Pharmacist
Stephen Unwin Astronomer
Jon Taylor Consumer advocate and researcher USA
Aacutedaacutem Kettinger Student, Hungary
Conor Gray Masters student, Northern Ireland
David Dredge Retired Engineer
Gregory Matusiak Student, United States
Susannah Fleming DPhil Student
William Herdle Scientist, USA
Marc Draco Science Writer
Stanley Salmons Emeritus Professor
Jackson Hewitt Construction, Australia
Daniel Barham Student, United States
Grant Black Company Director, New Zealand
Warren Gregory Australia
Stephen Checkley PhD Student
Sven Felsby MD, Denmark
Tim Carter Venture Capital
Fredrik Wimmercranz MDSweden
Shaaji Kanagasabapathy Student
Peter Molloy Cryogenic Technician, Australia
Mukund Raghothaman Student, India
Anthony Savage IT Management, Head of ICT
Frej Wasastjerna Retired senior research scientist, Finland
Emilio Ricou Quimico, Espana
James Young Principle Software Engineer, U.S.A
Sarah Spencer
Sergio Loacute Borgontildeoz Journalist, General Manager, Spain
Gilberto Marquina Reyes Software Engineer, Spain
Belinda Stevens Science Student, Australia
Daniel Lahner Registrar in Anaesthesia and General Intensive Care, Austria
Mark Sergeant Lecturer in Psychology
Roger Bailey IT Consultant
Jamie-Lee Loughlin
Paul Webb Museums advisor
Nils BornemannSweden
Gareth Williams Government Scientist
Tom Oates Medical Doctor
Robert Persse Technical Writer, New Zealand
Derek Levison Managing Director, Germany
Venki Ramakrishnan FRS Joint Head of Structural Studies Division
Stephen McPartland Web developer
Isabelle Daudy Psychotherapist
Adrian Hon Game designer
David Steinsaltz University Lecturer
D.D. Guttenplan Journalist and Author
Peter Cope Scientist
Thomas Hudson Student
Anne Dain-Owens Graduate Student
Bill Michtom librarian (retired), USA
Bjarki Jóhannesson PhD student, Germany
Richard Hudson Assistant Professor, US
Torstein Meling Neurosurgeon, Norway
Anne Weaver Author and Science Educator, USA
Jonathan Hull Education
Ryan Seals Research Epidemiologist, United States
Halvar Trodahl Graduate Student, USA
Doug Sipp Science Policy Researcher, Japan
Gavin Eyre Computer Consultant, USA
Devin Davis Journalist, USA
Ivan Tubert-Brohman Senior Scientist, USA
Hannah Sivak Biochemist, USA
Helen Castle Education, Hampshire
Siddharth Chandramouli Insurance executive, USA
Grainne Keegan , USA
Crispin Cooper PhD Student - Computational Chemistry
Michael Knee Engineer
Naomi Penfold Student of Natural Sciences
David Galbraith VC, United States
William Silverman Assoc. Prof. Medicine, USA
Fernando Cabanillas Professor, USA
Colin Warnock Software Developer, Northern Ireland
Rohan Maddamsetti Graduate student, USA
Robin Prior Psychotherapist
John Graham Assistant Professor, Canada
Luke Blackbourn Postgraduate scientist
Benjamin Allen Philosopher
Iolanda Capodanno Australia
Dr. Gerald Roston Consultant, United States
Tara Mulube Medical Doctor
Stephen Shaw Graphic designer, Northern Ireland
Peter Haynes Former journalist, USA
Sam Green Student
Patrick Hayden Associate Professor, Canada
Nigel Pink Physics Student
Ian Clarkson Engineer, Canada
Arnold Burdett Retired Teacher of Maths and Physics
Jane Kerr
Norma Lilly librarian, USA
Philip Grice Medical equipment engineer, USA
Don Tumasonis Writer; translator, Norway
Loree Starr Brown USA
Paul Collins Author and Journalist, USA
Michael Goasdoue IT
Robert McCullogh Corporate tax consultant, Canada
Joel Pincus Emeritus Professor of Mathematics, USA
Jane Pearce Ex Nurse, New Zealand
Tom Ediger Veterinarian, Canada
Paul Larkin Graduate Student, USA
Jeffrey Perret Small animal veterinarian, USA
Nicholas Tsoulos Physician, United States
Vijay Sundaram Entrepreneur, India
Alexandru Cristian Vasile-Bugarin Medical supervisor, Romania
Narayan Pant Professor of Business, Singapore
Benjamin Wynne PhD student
Cameron Smith University Lecturer, Japan
Gregory Dawes Associate Professor, New Zealand
Richard Gill Professor of statistics, Netherlands
Paul McCranor Chemistry Teacher
Benjamin Lyons Research Associate
Joel Sams Actor
Lee Russell Software Test Engineer
Anna Hughes Postdoctoral Researcher
Paul Wicks PhD Neuropsychologist
Richard
Lynne Colton Marketing Executive
Francis Irving Toolmaker for journalists
Richard Nowotny Medical Practitioner, Australia
Peter Ford IT worker
Tom Cashman Research student
Chris King Medical Student
John Cross Accountant
Jason Tigg Software Engineer/Trader
Robert Lightbody Student Journalist
James Lusk Student
Bruce Donald Economist, Australia
Lenn Tamm Journalist, USA
Aniruddha SenGupta Writer, India
Ken Hesketh Composer
Iain Wordsworth Journalist
David Burnett-Hall Reader (retired)
Toby Lynas Musician, Sweden
Leonard Sugarman Retired Science Teacher
Dan Salmons Banking
Nova Brockbank Scientist
Joseph Parkes
Claire Smith Science Student
David Webb Reader in Photonics
Stuart Clarke Software Engineer
Chris Hellberg Engineer
Diana Gillooly Editor
Madeleine Seale Student
Sue Seagroatt
John Brierley IT Professional
Shreevardhan Lele Professor, USA
Michael Stiegler Physician, USA
Stephen Hemingway Engineering Student, Canada
Robin Fisher Lawyer
Laurence Wulker , Investment Advisor, USA
Herb Spencer
Steven Moore Psychologist, USA
James Hathaway Research Communications, USA
MIchael Lemonick Lecturer science journalism, USA
John Lloyd Publishing
Neil Mckenna Shopworker
Garrett Kennedy Psychologist
William Lawrence Motuz Retired Eonomist, Canada
Rebecca Barber Adjunct Faculty - Psychology, USA
David Clark
Jack Wills Student
Linda Silversmith Science Writer, USA
Scott Inglis University Lecturer
Morten Grannes Student, Norway
John Hessel United States
Annie Hatcher Performer
Emanuel Malek Student (Master's)
Gareth Hagger-Johnson Lecturer in Public Health
Vicky Jones Theatre Director
Jody Palmer Experimental Particle Physics PhD student
Susan Clemens Canada
James Robinson PhD Student
Lorna Kellett PhD student in Particle Physics
Graham Sellers PhD student
Tim Martin PhD Student
Tracey Runciman
Andrew Reeve Full time student - BA Hons Fine Art
Daniel Short DPhil Student
Barinder Athwal Eye Physician and Surgeon, USA
Pascal Diethelm Retired staff member of the World Health Organization, Switzerland
Paul Gardner Principal Teaching Fellow
Theodore Christakis Professor of International Law, France
David Baker Broadcast Engineer, Illinois USA
Daniel Baptista-Hon scientist
Sam Whitehead DPhil Student
Jessica Enders Designer, Australia
Nicholas Savage Media
Gustav Axelson Laser Technician, Sweden
James Wright Writer
Sophie Crossfield Solicitor
Anthony Ross Graduate Student
Zahid Fayyaz Lawyer
David Hanson Senior Analyst/Programmer
Ira L. Jacobson Engineer, USA
Neil Upfold Quality Assurance Engineer
Michael Brown Doctoral Student
Iain Longstaff Physics Student
Caoimhe Muldoon Reseacher, Ireland
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Ross McLaren Chemistry Student
Mary Simms Sales Associate, Canada
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Stephen
David Murray Broker
Erik van Dongen PhD Student Ancient History
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Harriet Banks Art Historian
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john burton Electronics technician
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Georgina Aitken Online media campaigner PR consultant,
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David Barrass Post doc
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Ken Lerner Engineer
Sean Hegarty Town Planner
Michael Haga Medical Doctor, USA
Tim Field Retired computer programmer, USA
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Luis Cordon Professor of Psychology, USA
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Jack Wright Student
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Philip Aston Mass Spectrometry Technical Officer
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sudhan roy GP
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Barry James McCarthy Musician, Canada.
Timothy Porter Web Developer, Junior
Karl Williams Web Developer
Felix reychman IT consultant, Sweden
Mark Pitchers Speciality Surgeon
Georgia ChristinidisLecturer, Germany
Amy Lagerman Journalist, Sverige
Rosie Prentice Teacher
Jane Housham Publisher
Sarah Elvins Publisher
Christopher Williams Retired
Peter Finnegan Public Health Specialist, Ireland
Janos Kertesz Professor Director, Hungary
Ulrich Stahl Teacher, Germany
Hannah Orrell Student
Robert Charles Kuebler Director Finance, Switzerland
Noel Townsley Clerical Worker, New Zealand
Richard Mitchell Engineer
Al Dennard Retired Teacher Maths and Science, New Zealand
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Last updated: December 10 2009
Libel case continues after denial of permission from Court of Appeal
Simon Singh’s statement Tuesday 11th August 2009
I can confirm today that I have applied for a hearing to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider its recent denial of permission. For anyone new to the case, here is a brief timeline of events:
2008 April I publish an article about chiropractic in the Guardian.
2008 July The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) sues me personally for libel.
2009 May High Court gives a very negative ruling on the meaning of my article.
2009 June I ask for permission to appeal the ruling on meaning (paper application).
2009 July The application to appeal is rejected.
2009 August I am now asking again for permission to appeal the ruling.
The new application will be oral, as opposed to the previous one, which was on paper. As always, the legal blogger Jack of Kent has been eloquently summarising the developments in my case and you can get up to speed by visiting:
A great deal has happened since my original article was published back in April 2008 and I suspect that the libel case will continue for many more months (or maybe years), so perhaps now is a good time to review the situation and explain my thoughts about the future of the case. In particular, the ‘Heresy Corner’ blog contains an open letter to me, which raises some interesting points, and I will address some of these.
Is it time to give up?
W.C. Fields said: ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, again. Then quit. There’s no use in being a damn fool about it.’ However, as yet I don’t think I am anywhere close to giving up and I don’t think I am behaving like a ‘damn fool’.
Before embarking on this battle I was confident about three key points. First, I believed that I was doing the right thing in standing by my article. Second, I believed that I stood a reasonable or good chance of winning. Third, if I did lose, I knew that the financial loss would not bankrupt me. One year later, I still believe that I am right, that I stand a reasonable (but not good) chance of winning and that I will not be bankrupted.
At each stage of the legal process I have very carefully weighed up the options and discussed the situation with legal experts, friends and supporters. For example, right now, it seems obvious that I should persist with the appeal process - I accept that that an oral application to appeal stands less than a 50% chance of success, but the additional costs are relatively small and the potential rewards are enormous; in the long run, if I can successfully win my case, I could recoup my own costs, force the British Chiropractic Association to pay its own costs and reinforce my concerns about the lack of evidence surrounding some chiropractic treatments.
Any regrets?
Of course, the initial ruling on meaning and the recent refusal of my application to appeal are hugely disappointing, but I have no regrets about the path I have chosen. My article is correct, it is about an important health issue and I believe I ought to defend it. Also, as I have said previously, I still have a chance of successfully defending the case and in the worst case scenario I will not be destroyed.
Moreover, there have already been many positive outcomes emerging from the case. For instance, the legal battle has shone a light on chiropractors and their claims; there have been major articles in magazines such as ‘New Scientist’ and the ‘British Medical Journal,’ and, of course, bloggers have been writing extensively about the lack of evidence for some chiropractic claims.
Moreover, as a result of the media attention given to chiropractic, the BCA seems to have stopped promoting chiropractic in the treatment of various childhood conditions. Moreover, many chiropractic clinics have withdrawn their some of their claims because of pressure from bloggers and threat of action from Trading Standards Offices and Advertising Standards Authorities.
Also, my article and the resulting legal case raise concerns about whether the regulation of chiropractors has been effective or beneficial for patients. Chiropractic is one of only two alternative therapies that have been regulated in the UK and the current question is whether more alternative therapies should be regulated. Indeed, this is discussed in the controversial Pitillo Report, which was written by the ‘Department of Health Steering Group on the Statutory Regulation of Practitioners of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Other Traditional Medicine Systems Practised in the UK’. Consultation on this report has just opened and it is important to provide feedback on its recommendations, perhaps in light of the disappointing consequences of chiropractic regulation. You can find out more about the Pitillo Report at Professor David Colquhoun’s excellent blog: http://www.dcscience.net/?p=2007
I am also delighted that my case has helped galvanise interest in the broader issue of libel reform. This ranges from the Sense About Science Campaign (http://www.senseaboutscience.org.uk/freedebate/) to increased media coverage of the issue. The BBC is currently making a major series on the issue of libel and has already filmed several interviews with figures who have a direct interest in my case.
In summary, I have no regrets about fighting this libel case. I am determined to defend my article. The support and advice from family, friends, bloggers, skeptics and supporters from across the world has been extraordinary. The feedback that I am receiving suggests that I am doing the right thing.
What happens if the oral application to appeal is rejected?
There are a few possibilities if the oral application to appeal is rejected.
The first option, having exhausted the English appeal process on the issue of meaning, would be to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), probably with reference to Article 10, which is the right to free expression.
Alternatively, I could return to the preliminary hearing, which is currently unfinished. The outstanding aspect of my defence (not covered in the May preliminary hearing) questions whether a corporation without shareholders can sue for libel. The BCA’s reputation is with its members and not the public, because it serves its members and does not trade with the public; my article was aimed at the public and would not have damaged the BCA’s reputation with its members.
From Mr Justice Eady’s previous assessment of my case, I suspect that he will not be convinced by the corporate argument and would rule against me. However, I could apply to appeal this ruling and, if I am not successful in the English courts, take this take this additional point to the ECtHR.
Taking the case to the ECtHR on either one or both points could take years. However, that is absolutely fine by me. For the arguments made earlier, I think this is a perfectly sensible fight, whether it takes months or years. Remember, at the heart of the case is whether or not chiropractic can help children with serious ailments. More broadly, there is the issue of how freely a journalist can speak out on a matter of public interest.
Also, if the case goes to Europe, then my solicitor Robert Dougans and his company Bryan Cave have assured me that they would provide their services pro bono. Bearing in mind the costs and time involved, this is a very generous gesture and I am very grateful.
Why is Simon being so stubborn?
Over the last decade, my main job has been writing books about science (including maths, technology and medicine), but in between writing books I have always got involved in other projects. For example, after writing ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem’, I developed and presented ‘Mind Games’ on BBC4. Then, after ‘The Code Book’, I co-founded the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme. And, after ‘Big Bang’, I worked with Richard Wiseman on ‘Theatre of Science’ and initiated ‘The Enigma Project’ in schools.
I view my current legal battle as just another in-between-books project. This legal battle is more expensive than initiating an educational project and less fun than Theatre of Science, but otherwise it meets many of the criteria that I look for in a project.
If the court case comes to an end then I hope that I will be able to start writing a new book next year. In the meantime, I have cleared my diary in order to focus on the libel case. And, if necessary, I would delay the start of any new book project in order to properly defend my article in court.
In short, I am not being stubborn. In fact, bearing in mind the issues at stake (ranging from chiropractic to children’s health to the libel laws), I think this is an excellent use of my time.
Those who are close to me have questioned, challenged and ultimately backed me. If I ever get to the point of becoming blinkered and quixotic, then I know that these same friends and wise folk will tell me that I am being crazy. At that point I will be ready to back down and settle the case. Until I reach that point, I am battling on.
Ps. Latest news - oral hearing set for 14th October.
Last updated: October 07 2009
Simon Singh loses first attempt at permission to appeal
Simon Singh’s statement
Tuesday 11th August 2009
I can confirm today that I have applied for a hearing to ask the Court of Appeal to reconsider its recent denial of permission. For anyone new to the case, here is a brief timeline of events:
2008 April I publish an article about chiropractic in the Guardian.
2008 July The British Chiropractic Association (BCA) sues me personally for libel.
2009 May High Court gives a very negative ruling on the meaning of my article.
2009 June I ask for permission to appeal the ruling on meaning (paper application).
2009 July The application to appeal is rejected.
2009 August I am now asking again for permission to appeal the ruling.
The new application will be oral, as opposed to the previous one, which was on paper. The oral hearing is set for 14th October
Continue reading Simon’s statement here
Friday 31st July 2009
David Allen Green explains the court’s decision:
“The Court Office today confirmed to me that, in an Order sealed on 30 July 2009, the Court of Appeal has refused Simon Singh’s application for permission to appeal (PTA). Letters have been sent to the parties (but there is a post strike in London.) Simon Singh needed PTA because it had been refused at first instance at the preliminary hearing in May. There are no further details yet, including reasons. I understand that this refusal may now mean he can make an “oral renewal” before the Court of Appeal. More information will be provided as it becomes available”
Sense About Science response to the court’s decision:
“It was announced today that the Court of Appeal has denied Simon Singh leave to appeal the preliminary ruling in his libel case with the British Chiropractic Association. Simon now has an option to apply for an oral hearing to try to overturn that decision. If he decides not to or if this fails his case will be tried on a meaning of a phrase he did not intend and is indefensible. This decision highlights the problem of narrow defences that, along with high costs and wide jurisdiction, make the English libel laws so restrictive to free speech.
The Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign is working with Index on Censorship, EnglishPEN, Article 19 and the legal writer David Allen Green to put together proposals for a solid public interest defence that would affect science and health writing and journalism more widely. Meanwhile, efforts to publicise the poverty of evidence for chiropractic claims, the subject of Simon’s original article, are also continuing and have become prolific in the blogosphere.”
Simon Singh’s comment on the court’s decision:
“The Court of Appeal’s refusal is obviously disappointing, but I remain in good spirits. I will not be making a decision about my response until I have seen the official letter and the details of the refusal, and I will also need time to discuss the situation with friends, colleagues, supporters and family. In the meantime, while my particular libel case is ongoing, it continues to raise a whole series of arguably more important issues, particularly the appalling state of English libel laws. I am pleased that the Culture Secretary has agreed to meet with signatories of the Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign statement to hear how the laws affect writers. We are also pursuing a meeting at the Ministry of Justice and with front benchers in other departments to lobby for a change in the law.”
Last updated: October 07 2009
Beware the spinal trap
Some practitioners claim it is a cure-all, but the research suggests chiropractic therapy has mixed results - and can even be lethal, says Simon Singh.
You might be surprised to know that the founder of chiropractic therapy, Daniel David Palmer, wrote that '99% of all diseases are caused by displaced vertebrae'. In the 1860s, Palmer began to develop his theory that the spine was involved in almost every illness because the spinal cord connects the brain to the rest of the body. Therefore any misalignment could cause a problem in distant parts of the body.
In fact, Palmer's first chiropractic intervention supposedly cured a man who had been profoundly deaf for 17 years. His second treatment was equally strange, because he claimed that he treated a patient with heart trouble by correcting a displaced vertebra.
You might think that modern chiropractors restrict themselves to treating back problems, but in fact some still possess quite wacky ideas. The fundamentalists argue that they can cure anything, including helping treat children with colic, sleeping and feeding problems, frequent ear infections, asthma and prolonged crying - even though there is not a jot of evidence.
I can confidently label these assertions as utter nonsense because I have co-authored a book about alternative medicine with the world's first professor of complementary medicine, Edzard Ernst. He learned chiropractic techniques himself and used them as a doctor. This is when he began to see the need for some critical evaluation. Among other projects, he examined the evidence from 70 trials exploring the benefits of chiropractic therapy in conditions unrelated to the back. He found no evidence to suggest that chiropractors could treat any such conditions.
But what about chiropractic in the context of treating back problems? Manipulating the spine can cure some problems, but results are mixed. To be fair, conventional approaches, such as physiotherapy, also struggle to treat back problems with any consistency. Nevertheless, conventional therapy is still preferable because of the serious dangers associated with chiropractic.
In 2001, a systematic review of five studies revealed that roughly half of all chiropractic patients experience temporary adverse effects, such as pain, numbness, stiffness, dizziness and headaches. These are relatively minor effects, but the frequency is very high, and this has to be weighed against the limited benefit offered by chiropractors.
More worryingly, the hallmark technique of the chiropractor, known as high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust, carries much more significant risks. This involves pushing joints beyond their natural range of motion by applying a short, sharp force. Although this is a safe procedure for most patients, others can suffer dislocations and fractures.
Worse still, manipulation of the neck can damage the vertebral arteries, which supply blood to the brain. So-called vertebral dissection can ultimately cut off the blood supply, which in turn can lead to a stroke and even death. Because there is usually a delay between the vertebral dissection and the blockage of blood to the brain, the link between chiropractic and strokes went unnoticed for many years. Recently, however, it has been possible to identify cases where spinal manipulation has certainly been the cause of vertebral dissection.
Laurie Mathiason was a 20-year-old Canadian waitress who visited a chiropractor 21 times between 1997 and 1998 to relieve her low-back pain. On her penultimate visit she complained of stiffness in her neck. That evening she began dropping plates at the restaurant, so she returned to the chiropractor. As the chiropractor manipulated her neck, Mathiason began to cry, her eyes started to roll, she foamed at the mouth and her body began to convulse. She was rushed to hospital, slipped into a coma and died three days later. At the inquest, the coroner declared: 'Laurie died of a ruptured vertebral artery, which occurred in association with a chiropractic manipulation of the neck.'
This case is not unique. In Canada alone there have been several other women who have died after receiving chiropractic therapy, and Edzard Ernst has identified about 700 cases of serious complications among the medical literature. This should be a major concern for health officials, particularly as under-reporting will mean that the actual number of cases is much higher. If spinal manipulation were a drug with such serious adverse effects and so little demonstrable benefit, then it would almost certainly have been taken off the market.
Simon Singh is a science writer in London and the co-author, with Edzard Ernst, of Trick or Treatment? Alternative Medicine on Trial. This is an edited version of an article published in The Guardian for which Singh is being personally sued for libel by the British Chiropractic Association.
Beware the spinal trap also appears today at
The British Humanist Association
Steven Novella on Science-Based Medicine
The Skeptics Guide to the Universe Blog
Respectful Insolence at Science Blogs
The Sceptics Book of Pooh-Pooh
Podblack CatCommittee for Skeptical Enquiry
Association Francaise pour l'Information Scientifique (Translated into French)
brightsfrance.org (Translated into French)
GWUP Die Skeptiker (Translated into German)
Swedish sceptics Vetenskap och Folkblidning (Translated into Swedish)
Hungarian Sceptic Society (Translated into Hungarian)
Estonian Skeptics: Skeptik.ee (Translated into Estonian)
Last updated: October 07 2009
Parliamentary Question about the Campaign
Dr Evan Harris MP asked Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Ben Bradshaw, whether he would meet with a delegation of signatories of Keep the Libel Laws out of Science. (It may surprise some readers to learn that science journalism and medical publishing are part of the creative industries!) We will be arranging this meeting over the Summer.
"Dr. Evan Harris (Oxford West and Abingdon) (LD): Is the Secretary of State aware of concerns in the creative industries that the way in which English libel laws operate, or at least London's reputation as the libel capital of the world, is suppressing freedom of expression and creative freedom? Will he agree to meet a cross-party delegation with leading members from the creative industries in the next few months to discuss their concerns?
Mr. Bradshaw: I am sure that my hon. Friend or I would be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman and a delegation, but he will be aware that this is primarily a matter for the Ministry of Justice. We are certainly aware of the concerns that he expresses: I understand that they will all be covered in a forthcoming consultation document that the Secretary of State for Justice will launch in the near future."
Last updated: October 07 2009
Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 16
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.
| Previous 1000 names | Next 1000 names |
Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated
John Ewing IT consultant, Proprietor, France
Julia Ben Ami Student, Israel
Jonathan Stopes-Roe senior civil servant
Helmut Wenz Germany
Alison Colegrove Spacecraft Propulsion Engineer, Senior Engineer
Sir Geoffrey Bindman Lawyer, Chairman
Lynn Bindman Emeritus Reader in Physiology
Bob Harrison Drue Contracts Manager, Canada
Christopher Terry Engineering Consultant, Director
Steven Campbell Science Student, Canada
Nazanine Moshiri journalist, Presenter
Alain Toussaint student, Canada
Ronald Jansen Bus driver, Netherlands
Anders Molin Medical student, Sweden
Karel Marien MD, retired, Belgium
Robert Sjöberg Med. student, Sweden
Bert Golding Engineering Management, Retired
Brennen McKenzie veterinary surgeon, USA
Natalie Klimp Registered Nurse (Emergency), RN BScN, Canada
Dámaso Corrales Goverment employe, submanager of electronics systems development, México
Rocco Mastrangioli Medical Secretary, USA
Luisa Silveira community information management, Australia
Lyndon Lee scientist
Sabita Islam scientist, Post-doctoral scientist
Robert Wardrop Chief Scientist, Australia
Alan Macdonald Management Consultant, Executive
Harold Goldfarb M.D. Physician, USA
Anna-Karin Gefvert physician, MD, Sweden
Paul Coughlan GP Principal, Australia
Nerissa Soh scientist
Philip Clarke Scientist and Medical Practitioner, Australia
Michael Tite Emeritus Professor of Archaeological Science
Sean O'Connor Business Consultant, Ireland
PJ Alexander Physician, USA
Erik Larsson student, Sweden
Aoife McLysaght scientist, Lecturer, Ireland
David Merrikin Pharmacist
Ahad Mahootchi Physician, Private Practice, USA
Donald Blum Physician, USA
T J Jackson Author
David Miller quandam Reader, Hon Research Fellow
Craig Laughton
Stefane Fermigier Entrepreneur, Chairman, France
Wayne James Accountant, Corporate Finance
Mary A. Merritt Healthcare provider, Supervisor, USA
Hilary Collins scientist
Nicholas Mitchell scientist, Professor
Pawel Jasnos Biological Natural Sciences Student
Louise Heiniger Medical psychology research worker, Research Assistant, Australia
Jeroen van Dorp The Netherlands
Karen Lindsay Immunologist, Fellow, New Zealand
Bill Richards Safety Manager, Australia
Elijah Marshall scientist, PhD Candidate, Australia
Mark Blythman Ornithologist, Australia
Patrick Walsh Literary Agents, Managing Director
Yvonne Taylor Registered nurse (retired), New Zealand
Andrew Edwards scientist, Postdoctoral Research Officer
Grégoire Ribordy Entrepreneur, Chief Executive Officer, Switzerland
Anna Hall Doctor part-time medical journalist, South Africa
Alek Greer Writer, Australia
Craig Chrisco Cashier, USA
Thomas Hicks Student
Roelof van der Kleij Sysadmin, the Netherlands
Elizabeth Halkyard Maths Teacher
James Collins scientist, Post Doc, Ireland
Pete Morrison researcher
Ruth Fasham primary teacher, classroom teacher
Mattias Blom IT Consultant, Sweden
Julie Stuart freelance copy-editor and medical practitioner
Neil Benn Senior Programmer, Norway
Richard Boynton scientist, Research Student
David Colling scientist, Lecturer
Brian Piatkus scientist
Barry Rourke Teacher, Ireland
Matthew Keenan IT Consultant, Ireland
Martin Reader Headmaster
Damian O'Loan Computer Programmer
Emma Britain HE manager, Project Manchester
Richard Carter scientist, Research consultant
David Cole Software Engineer
Neil Rowe Retired Policeman, Canada
Daniel Burnham scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher, USA
Niall MacDougall Clinical Scientist
Charles Peyton Editor (also involved in press freedom campaign), Freelance
David Greenlees Software consultant
Islay Steele scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher
Becky Baker Freelance researcher
Shanti Thirumalai Neurophysiologist, USA
Alain De Pauw train driver
Phillip Gottschalk Mathematician, Director, USA
Jenny Pateman scientist
John Williamson scientist, Senior Lecturer
Albert Braunstein medical practitioner, Australia
Tom Reynolds Student, Natural Sciences
Daniel H. Sutherlin Artist w/ Anthropology degree, USA
Sebastian Larsen Graphic/Web Designer, Denmark
Johnstone Macpherson-Stewart Former sports scientist
Filip Hellemans Lawyer, Belgium
Martin Symons Maths Teacher
Rainer Henking Consultant, Managing Director, Germany
Roland Cocker Company Director, Ireland
Jeremy Acord student, USA
Nicholas Rutherford Student, BSc Graduate
Michael Priest Software Engineer, Senior Developer, Australia
John Cooper Bus Driver
George Burkhard scientist, Graduate Researcher, USA
Matt McCurdy visual artist
David Bamford Student
James King Student
Huw Phillips Taxi Driver
Andrzej Gregosiewicz Professor Chief of Children Orthopaedic Department, Poland
Alan Kay Professor of Biology, USA
Jane Blair Biomedical Scientist
Gary Tester Clinical Social Worker, USA
Kimball Atwood Anesthesiologist, USA
Nancy Bishop Clinical Research Associate, Canada
Jeffrey Johnson Finance, Analyst, USA
Ian Storey Lecturer, Australia
Thomas Poole Mathematician and Computer Programmer
Twyla Gill Facilitator, Canada
John Kovac Assistant Professor of Medicine, USA
Frederick Goldie Research Scientist)
Terry Daniels Contract Consultant
Lois Matelan Patent Attorney, USA
Anne Marley PhD Consultant Clinical and Research Dietitian, Australia
Karen Donaldson MD Retired Physician, USA
David Lerner FREng Professor of Environmental Engineering
Barry Croft
Matthew Lewis Software Developer
Rose Lerner Researcher
Ross Dickinson Ex-Government Scientist, Australia
Gurney Khera Australia
Thomas Poole Mathematician and Computer Programmer
Joakim Bulow Student, Sweden
Peter Ellery Medical Student
Christopher Caraher CCTV Controller
Andreas Thorsen Student
Chris Eccles Director
Claire Sproats Contaminated Land Officer
Mark Edwards Contaminated Land Officer
Malcolm Chattwood Local Govt. Officer
Chris Collinson Environmental Consultant
Carry Keay Environmental Protection NGO
Damien Garrigan Environmental Health Technician
Peter Mason Engineer and Visiting Professor
Dr Stephen Buss MA MSc PhD FGS Principal Hydrogeologist
Penelope Maclachlan Freelance Interpreter, Portugual
Meade Pimsler PhD
David Marshall Medical Doctor
Randall Cohen Physician, MD, USA
Israel Kay Information Security Consultant
Dudley Knowles Professor of Philosophy
Fred Lauwers Mathematics Teacher, NL
David Vaux Professor of Biochemistry, Australia
Bjorn Andrist Software Engineer, Sweden
Dr. Cheryl Davies Senior Technical Scientist
Dr Richard Boyle Brownfield Technical Consultant
Harry Ballzak Pye Scientist, Australia
Rob Bell Freelance Environmental Science Journalist
Robert Potvliege
Richard Sutherland
Stuart Cunningham Lecturer
Paul Rich
Simon Walls English Teacher
Alan Wilkie Computer Systems Consultant, Director, Australia
Crawford Balch Commercial Rights and Clearance Consultant
Sam Alsford Lecturer
Sebastien Guillon Web Developer, France
Andrew Fuller PhD Student
Sam Alsford Lecturer
Sebastien Guillon Web Developer, France
Andrew Fuller PhD Student
Paraic Maguire Teacher, France
Frank Prain Librarian, Australia
Kaliya Franklin Blogger
Nathan Moynihan Writer
Chris Cooper Professor of Biochemistry and EPSRC Senior Media Fellow
Fabian Hoffmann Student, Germany
Joanna Franks Publications Editor
Dave Fountain Local Government Scientist
Peter Nicholls Visiting Professor of Biological Sciences
Kathryn Le Grice Senior Logistics Manager
Patrick Stewart Student
Lyndon Woodfield Computer Programmer
Richard Cooper Research Manager
Mike Porter Senior Lecturer
Jamie Bishop
Rebecca Holladay PhD Student Biomedical Sciences
Paul Jeffery Assistant Curator
Joel Phillips Graduate Student, Canada
Shona Houston Physiotherapist
Andrew Staley Computer Consultant
Simon Rackstraw Software Engineer
Simon Clark Post Doctoral Research Associate
Deborah Kelly Writer
Scott Morrison Senior Business Analyst
Anatoli Tsinovoy Student, Israel
James Orpin Doctor
Taneli Huuskonen Finland
Stewart Moore Student
Kevin Jones
Richard Watts-Huston Student
Elizabeth Cairns Deputy Editor
Eirik Skrettingland Student, Norway
Stephen Balchin Civil Servant
Luke Surl Cartoonist
Tim Noonan Paramedic, USA
David Milstead University Lecturer, Sweden
Alastair Jenkins Senior Scientist, Norway
Tom McLoughlin Healthcare Publishing
Kathleen Scott Bookdealer, USA
Andrew Baader Book Publisher
Graeme Cuthbert
Paul Grimes
Paul Grimes Postdoctoral Researcher in Astrophysics
Akira O'Connor Postdoctoral Research Scholar, USA
Thomas Bennett
Dr. Clive King Engineer
Jonathan Guilbault Construction Project Manager, Project Manager, Canada
Thomas Benko Teacher, Hungary
Nicholas Croucher PhD student
Paul Hand Head of Physics
Arpad Lukacs Research Assistant, Hungary
Thomas Greenan
Chris Davenport
David Dallard Senior Nurse
Tye Arnett Clinical Research Assistant, USA
David Pittuck Ph.D. Switzerland
Chloe Harman Associate Editor
Judith Hall Pharmacologist and Biomedical Education Consultant
Simon Knight Teacher
Claire Simpson Postdoctoral Visiting Fellow, USA
Nicholas Bradshaw IT Professional
Suzanne Attar Student
Lars Bo Iversen
Dave Dexter Musician
Lars Bo Iversen IT Specialist, Denmark
Slink Jadranko Musician
Helen Davies Journalist
Patrick Augereau Researcher in Molecular Biology
Simon Hayes Software Engineer
Iain Craig Publisher
Dr Adam Webb
James Conliffe Postdoctoral Researcher, Canada
Ben Dixon Dentist, General Dental Practitioner
Melody Lord Freelance Journalist, Australia
David Traynor Teacher
David McGloin Lecturer
Daniel Pineda Student, USA
Paul Nettleship Lawyer, Guernsey Channel Islands
Alexandra Penn Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Charles Dixon Doctor
Helen Johnston IT Validation Engineer
Alan Darbyshire Engineer
Silvana Brunati Switzerland
Mark Parnell HCI Student
Thomas Briggs Astrophysicist
Dylan Spiekermann Translator
Phil Pinel
Ian Pygall Taxi Driver
Samuli Ulmanen Game Designer, Finland
Sumit Talati
Joona Pulliainen Student, Finland
Alan Strom Computer Technical Support Officer
Ross Lewin Student
Andrew Yool Research Fellow
Matt Palmer Software Architect
Nikolai Manassiev GP
Noel Murphy Chief Executive, New Zealand
Richard Parr Software Developer
Maura Ford Scientist, USA
Andy Barr IT, Project Manager
Shannon Bullock Sensory Analyst, New Zealand
Hamish Sinclair Skipper
Dr Carol Fielding
Alexander Martinos Research Analyst
Martin Tyson Wildlife Biologist
Daniel Warren Student
Ian Mounsher Customer Service Rep
Lucas Fedyniak-Hopes Student
Jeremy Tiang Actor and Writer
Holly Jahangiri Freelance Writer, USA
John-Oscar Gibbons Student, Ireland
Nick Nakorn Writer
Cheryl Johnson Administrator
David Gardner
Kathleen Mistry Anaesthetic Registrar, New Zealand
Prue Bell Registered Nurse, New Zealand
Nicholas Gigurtsis Student
Richard Snell USA
Mairin Holmes Librarian, Australia
Sonya Pemberton Science Television Producer, Australia
Peter Kotanen Professor, Canada
Peter van der Woude Software Engineer, Australia
Graham Storrs Author, Australia
Lucy Georges University Lecturer, France
Rosa Matheson Author
John Leighton Accountant, UAE
Andy Slater Web Publisher and Programmer
Adam Machray Law Student
Christopher Haworth Business Development Manager
Dr Becky Hitchin Researcher
Samuel Taylor Nuclear Engineer
Amanda Wojcik Psychology Undergraduate Student, Australia
Bart Wojcik Australia
Stephen Emms Education Consultant
Natasha Long Sales Administrator
Catriona Smith
Colin Tunnicliffe IT Manager
Fiona Ewings PhD Student in Medical Statistics
Letitia Meenan IT Consultant
Phil Barker Research Associate
Maria Mason Senior Research Officer
Andrew Dove Online Resources & Training Librarian
Maria Mason Senior Research Officer
Andrew Dove Online Resources & Training Librarian
Rhodri Davies Researcher
Aimi Walker Water Industry
Tamara Hunter Accountant
Alan McClean Accounts Assistant, Ireland
Andrew Speakman Science Administrator
M Boyd
Zoe Duck PhD student
Colin Craig
Lewis Ross PhD Student
Richard Dodds Student
Tom Naughton Energy Consultant
Richard Pratt Teacher
David Lewin
Stephen O'Rahilly FRS Professor of Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine
Kerrie Murphy TV Editor, Australia
Kevin Nolan Engineer, Ireland
Willy Verwoerd Freelance journalist, Norway
Shaun Slater Engineer, Senior Project Engineer
Jack Gibson Research Fellow
John McGinley Physicist
Nick Reid Investment Management
Kieran Martin PhD student
Philip Silk Retired Teacher and Clergyman
Jay Tarnoff Psychology Graduate Student, USA
Kerry Friend Web Administrator
Michael Pilling Research Scientist, Australia
Marcus Kessler Student, Germany
Andrew Butler Doctor MBChB
Paul Reeves Principal Software Engineer
Michael Brader Internet Professional, Australia
Richard Blake
Stuart Henderson Software Development Engineer
Andrew Read Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics
Peter Hall Graduate Engineer
James Rainey Musician, Ireland
Johannes Korn Editor, Germany
Dimitris Fatouros
Malcom Brierly GP
John Filshie
Lode Veterinary Surgeon
Antonia Hamilton Lecturer
Wesley Anderson Manager
Nick Mundy University Lecturer
Martin Burke Finance
Sally Mason Investment Manager
Paul Bell
David Tong Retired Scientist and Businessman
Tim Pickering
Desmond O'Brien Lecturer
John Ruscoe
Andrew Carter Research Geophysicist, Norway
Norman Poole Consultant Psychiatrist
Amy Gairdner Director
Kirstie Green Technical Consultant
Dean Woolley Advertising, Creative Director
Sonya Holmes Australia
Richard Lewis Network Engineer
Ben Skerry PhD Student
Nate Parsons Engineer, USA
Andrew Ward Retired Computer Programmer
Simon Pottinger
Tristan Haldane Physicist
Daniel Pope Engineer
Dan Allen Software Consultant, Executive Vice President, USA
Fredrick O'Keefe Foundation Manager, USA
Tim Kovacs
Fredrick O'Keefe Director, USA
Simon Booth IT Consultant
Russell Balkind TV Producer
Ben Leech Surveyor, Project Manager
Alistair McCay Graduate Student
Adam Wright PhD Student
Steven Bird
Carol Ramsey Student, Canada
Mike Kelly
Gavin Alexander PhD Student
Nick Bates Biochemistry Student
James Pullen Research Fellow
Avril Horn
Jon Bray Locum Veterinary Surgeon
Paul Darcy Chartered Engineer, Ireland
Nicholas Forrester Quantitative Consultant
Douglas Harrison Truck Driver, Canada
Rune Isene Hospital Physician Ph.D. Student, Norway
Andrea Schneider Nurse, Germany
Dina Lipkind Post Doctoral Researcher, USA
David Wagner Software Engineer
Andrew McFetrich
Eileen Orr Journalist
Phil Dickenson Marketing Manager
Lance Fuggle Solicitor p>
Mark Newman Contaminated Land Officer
Caroline Fuery Australia
Jeremy Cohen Doctor, Australia
Zack Bleach Student
Faye Dagger Doctor
Brian Pearce Inventory Controller, Australia
brendan morrissey Consultant Radiologist, Ireland
Jane Howitt Online Copywriter
Kevin Saldanha Veterinarian Humanist, Canada
Matthew Chang IT, Australia
Larry Taylor Auditor, Senior VP , USA
Peter Gilfedder Pharmaceutical Adviser, Australia
Jennifer Gauthier Book Publisher, Canada
James Koran Mr. Nursing , USA
Don Williams Technical Writer, Australia
Alisa Richter Graduate Student, USA
Kirsten Kuns Engineer, Australia
Yi Jin Tan Biology Teacher, Singapore
Nicolle Carrion Web Application Developer, USA
Ben Williams Post-doctoral Fellow, Australia
Kyle Fiero Student, USA
David Stonier-Gibson Engineer Company Director, Australia
Melanie Carew Science Communicator
Brendan Hills Software Engineer, Australia
Dave Ewan
Andrew Popple Research Assistant, Australia
Dale Husband USA
Trevor O'Donoghue Marketing manager, Ireland
David Fry Site Manager, Australia
Victoria Harvey Solicitor
David Farrell Engineer
Stanley Seeman Retired Attorney
Harry Harrison Social Care Manager
Rod Price
Olaf Hartberg
Brendan Lawlor Technical Architect, Ireland
Neil Redfern
Andrew Woodcock Chief Software Engineer, Ireland
Simon Farrell Senior Lecturer
Timothy Quill Professor of Anesthesiology, USA
Ronald Gaunt Journalist
Mark Rea Technical Writer
Susanna Forbes Journalist
Mike Le Pelley Senior Lecturer
Anna Travers Artist
Hal Helms Chief Software Architect, USA
James Tweedie
James Tweedie Geoscience Software Developer, Scotland
Liza Levy Physician, USA
Dave Bush Engineer
Carmen McLean Research Fellow, USA
Andy Baptie Senior Software Engineer
Stuart maclauchlan Telecommunications, Marketing Manager
William Brown Aerodynamics Student
Emer Brady Postgraduate Student
Adam Tibbalds Financial Modeller
Sara Regan Administration
Andrew Kemp IT Consultant
Myles Dunne Technical Writer, Ireland
Patricia E. Donovan Senior Editor , USA
Maeve Regan Student
Geoff Osbaldestin IT, Applications Developer
Tim Dalton
Annie Tremp Research Assistant
Alex Marcovitch Teacher
Gail Miller
James Gardner Pharma Business Intelligence, Manager, USA
Conor McGann IT
Matt Bannister Careers Advisor, Kent
Fernando Dias de Avila Pires Professor, Brazil
Danielle Kafka Skeptic, USA
Adam Sweetman PhD Student
Jon Tardiff Physician Assistant, USA
Andrew Keen Web Editor
Rob Hibbert IT Support Consultant
Michelle McKinney Phd Researcher, Ireland
Ann Buettner Fraud Investigator, US
Derek Rothnie Telecommunications Engineer
Simon Makin Research Fellow
Patrick Tritchler Student, Canada
Sergio Acosta IT, USA
Aimun Jamjoom Medical Doctor
Michael Elce
Laura Gauch Student, U.S.A.
Paul Hardy Pharmacist
Joshua Kendal Trainee Lawyer
Albert Vetrini
Adrian Stroud Self Employed
Chadwan Al Yaghchi Surgeon, Otolaryngology Specialty Registar
George Kalis Retired Systems Engineer
David Parker
Dorothy Reilly Biologist, USA
Charles Soper Physician
David Burns Commander Royal Navy
Eli Anderson Performance Poet, Youth Worker & Writer
Paul Price Carpenter, Ireland
Dr Mark Walterfang Research Fellow, Australia
Andy Kirkham
Anthony Casson Australia
Trevor Peart
Jean-Luc Garden Engineer, France
Melanie Byng Writer
andrea sellers Solicitor
Natasha Benson Primary Teacher, Australia
John Stewart Engineer, Sweden
Jack Keily Masters Student
Ell McAuslan Animator
Matthew Diamond Information Technology, I S Analyst
Michael Hughes Retailer
David Tucker Musician
Dr Tom Jaconelli Hospital Doctor
Clare Isacke Professor
David Burgess Teacher
Stephen Albon Head of Science
Dusanka Nikolic
Michelle Creswell
Jason Bennett
Trevor Williams
Dr Becky Taylor Junior Doctor
Matthew Ellison
Guy Davies Access Consultant, South Africa
Ann Dring Postdoctoral Researcher, USA
Angelo Bruno Parts Washer, USA
Mark McGree Ophthalmologist, Australia
James Houston Artist
Chris Reah Bioengineer
Nigel Davies Professional Engineer
David Riddell Sports Physiotherapist, Australia
Gerald Penny Former Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry
Thomas Tarrell Trainee Anaesthetist
Barbara Wesby Retired Doctor
Christopher Lovell Taylor Chiropractor
Darragh Lucey
Thomas Lewton Physics Student
Mark Dunlop
Jonathan Ayling Graduate Student
Michael Smith Medical Student
Jose Antonio Mariz Medical Doctor, Portugal
Simon Larsson Sweden
Dermot Kelleher GP
L Ogden Musician, Canada
Carl Ellard Gardener, Ireland
Megan Knight Journalism Senior Lecturer and Researcher
Ian Meldon
Nelson Garcia Physician, Chief Infectious Disease, USA
Adam Barclay Science Communicator, Australia
Toby Canning Psychologist, Director of Psychological Health, USA
Andrew Jane PhD Student, Australia
Ola Thor Dusiness Developer, Sweden
Gerald Quigley Teacher, USA
John Leverton Cook
Nicky Debnam Retired Nurse
Harry Percival Student
Chris Hunt Computer Consultant
Lyn Thornton
Patrick Lesslie System Administrator, Australia
Brian Dargan Engineering, Director of IS Sales
Dr Belinda Brooks-Gordon Reader in Psychology and Social Policy
Zoe Stavri PhD student
Niall Spooner-Harvey Poet
Flora Logan Postdoctoral Researcher
Christoph Haase DPhil student
Regan Ryan Software Developer, Germany
Anant Patel Clinical Research Fellow
Samantha Hardman Postdoctoral Researcher
Jeremy Lowe IT
Neil Douglas Graduate Environmental Surveyor
Sally Perry Environmental Technologist, Canada
Juergen Schmidtke Research Associate
Michelle Hagan Dietitian
Matthew Bradshaw Physics Graduate
Karl von Bock Sound Mixer
Raymond Cox Associate Professor, Denmark
Tom Button Mathematics Educator
Georg Muntingh PhD Mathematics Student, Norway
Stephen Crosby Manufacturing, Customer Services Manager
Kevin Paterson Lecturer in Psychology
Bill Rein Staff Physical Therapist, USA
Jason Craggs Australia
Ken Knechtel Industrial Product Designer, CA
Michael Paul Goldenberg Mathematics Education Consultant, USA
Gareth Jones Local Government Social Services for Children
Robert Smallwood Director, Australia
Harrie Houben Adult Educator, Director, Belgium
Godfrey Bartlett Acupuncturist
Jackie Hughes University Administrator
Geert Meermans Orthopaedic Surgeon, Netherlands
Ceilidh Stapelkamp Health Research Analyst
Jonathan Conway Director
Stephen Casey Chief Engineer
Anil Vithal Consultant, South Africa
Richard Jacques Research Associate
Sean Moran Chartered Engineer
Kath Kinsey Teacher
John Kinsey
Peter Wood Retired Teacher, Canada
Vince Russell Landscaper
Ian Howie Retired Engineering Lecturer
Mark Howcutt General Practitioner
Simon Sheppard Postgraduate Student
Bernie Doran Australia
Roger Herikstad Grad Student, Singapore
Charles Freedman Systems Analyst, Australia
Gary Ruben Physics PhD student, Australia
John Bantick Retired Medicinal Chemist
Richard Hayden Sub-Editor
Daniel Davis Student
Alanah Proctor BSc Medical Student
Laura Smith Clinical Psychologist, Australia
William McTigue BSc BAppSc MAPA Physiotherapist in Charge, Australia
Paul Beckitt Civil Servant
John Tompkinson GP
Paul Knibbs IT Consultant
Michael Fletcher PhD Student
Gergo Suranyi Student
Randeep Ramesh Journalist, South Asia Correspondent
Lemn Sissay Poet Broadcaster, Artist in residence at Southbank Centre
Adelle alexander Arts & Hollistic Therapist
Ylva Gustafsson Medical student, Sweden
Andrea Robinson Arts Administrator
Mike McCarthy Producer, Director
Alexx O'Shea Music Student
Mekdes Libasie Research student
Kay McMahon Digital Director
Bardi Valdimarsson Economist, Denmark
Kim Olivier Administrator
Parvinder Kaur Sohal Youth Worker
Lee Jasper Activist
Sharon Drummond Book Seller
Jeremy Playfer Physician, Past President of British Geriatrics
Paula Hateley Graphic Designer
June Buchan Photographer
Cyril Husbands Business Consultant
Ed Hunte
Jacqueline O'Sullivan Fitness Instructor
Laurie Marczak Postdoctoral Scientist, USA
Chris Coupe Events Promoter, Artistic Director
Catharine Chen Writer, Canada
Gillian Moore Head of Contemporary Culture
Trond Nilsen Engineer, PhD Student, USA
Melanie Prince Medical Laboratory Assistant
Randall Seefeldt Writer, USA
Clare Sarson Teacher
Jim Hinks Publisher, Editor
Jason Pope Videographer, Segment Producer, Canada
Helene Nymann Artist
Julie Macey Health Insurance , Manager, Australia
Annie Bishop
Karen Heathman Artist, Canada
Justin Beattie Nuclear Engineerp>
Brian Lennon Seconday Teacher, Australia
Maria Marta del Río Rodriguez Biologist, Spain
David Penzel Computer Science, USA
Haji Mike Poet/Broadscaster/Academic, Cyprus
Leslie Tate Author
Helen Legesse HR Manager
Laurie Pycroft Student Campaigner, Founder
David Dupplaw Research Fellow
Christopher Marsden Care Worker/Writer
Rebecca Ault
Christopher Scorah Barrister
Scott Young Freelance Educationalist
Garry Pilkington Technical Illustrator
Kenneth Aar IT Proffesional, Norway
Jolan Sulinski Writer
Margaret Szabo Teacher
Krystal Vittles Librarian
Andrew Barley Student, Australia
Richard Pullen IT Specialist
Philippa Brice Science Policy and Communications Specialist
Dirk Sieber Software Developer, Canada
Peter Bennett Fine Art Dealer
Mariam Orme Postdoc
Brian Hill Retired Scientist
Nick Cooper
David Jarratt Museum Staff
Gary Davis USA
Remy Boreke
Brian Berlyne Lawyer
Josh Berlyne Student
Anthony Gardner
Philip Hughes Research Scientist, USA
Gareth Rake
Paul Witt Orthodontist, Canada
David Mitchell Microbiologist, Australia
Brett Simms Computer Artist, Canada
Christian Ryan Clinical Psychologist, Ireland
Andrew Stretton Data Manager
John Baker Retired Chartered Town Planner
Daniel Cunningham Software Systems Engineer, USA
Ramon Perez-Gatell Architect, Puerto Rico
Andre Forget Retired Scientist, Quebec Canada
Josh Trotter Student, Wisconsin
Eric Bolikowski Administration Assistant, Norway
Phillip Williams
James Archer Graduate Geologist
Stephen Connor Teacher, Canada
Stuart Shelley Student
Richard Phillips Retired Librarian and Magician
Terry Richardson Electronics Tutor
Michele Limon Scientist, Research Associate, USA
James Williams Retired Science Teacher, Australia
Hugo Polichemi Retired Chemistry Teacher, USA
Nancy Flight Editor, Associate Publisher, Canada
Ru Tracey Web Developer/Designer, New Zealand
CJ Mattison Aircraft Maintenance Technican, USA
Ronan Mitchell Singapore
William Payne Retired Consultant
Oliver Mounsey Undergraduate Student
Ross Hendry Health Care Student
Graeme Yianakis Businessman, New Zealand
David Charlton Scientist
H Lindsey
Chris Savage King Writer/Performer
Melinda Day Early Years Teacher
John Connell Blogger, Education Strategist
Michael Lydon Civil Servant
Erik Skovenborg Scientist, M.D.
Naren Savani Scientist, Medical Director
William Wickes United States
Alison Macro Lawyer, Italy
Terry Smith Video Engineer, USA
Peter Barrie GP (Medical)
Steve Mansfield-Devine Freelance Journalist
Robert Hulley Retired Environment Adviser
Colin Healey Australia
Danial Leahy Foundation Doctor
Gail Coppin Lawyer, Australia
Gary Sparkes Educator
Marcus Shepheard PhD student
Mattias Winther Student, Sweden
Maximilian G. Student, Austria
Peter Smith Medical Practitioner, Consultant
Duncan McPherson Australia
Thomas Scrace Entrepreneur
Thomas Lloyd Medical Practicioner, Radiology Registrar, Australia
Richard Whittington Student, Phiolosophy and Cognitive Science
Jeremy Neiman Student, USA
Brian Dickie Scientist, Director of Research
David Love Retired Accountant
Alex Newman-Smith Quantitative Economic Analyst
Sarah Burke Internal Communications Manager
Helen Liddel Accountant
Steven Wood Microbiology Technician
Andy Breen Senior Lecturer in Solar System Physics
Niklas Ramsberg Technical Writer, Sweden
Krisztian Monostori Programmer, Hungary
Will Gissane Scientist
Stephen Atchison Canada
Rebecca Moses Scientist, Clinical Trials Manager
Fiona Neall Scientist, Consultant in Radioactive Waste Disposal
Joyce Hatton
Fiona Dallas Consultant Nephrologist
Steven Chan Accounting
Sarah K Thompson Scientist
Paul Crowther Teacher
Julian Ravest Management Consultant
Harpal Uppal Surgeon
Stephen Day Journalist
Michael Shields Mathematician, Malta
James Carter Doctor
Sam Lander Technician
John Hopprich Software Engineering Manger, USA
Amit Shukla Physician
Katherine Everard Scientist, Research Fellow, New Zealand
Edwin Mitchell Doctor, Intensive Care Medicine
Doug Iles Writer
Wouter Van den Broek Scientist, Belgium
Kathryn Gordon Programmer
Elizabeth Daniels Chartered Surveyor
John Powell Medical Practitioner, GP
Andrew Gilbert Scientist, Professor Mathematical Physics
Raluca Ciocian Student, Romania
Tara Hennessy Scientist, Physics Masters Student, Ireland
Roderick McMillan Businessman
Akshay Sule Anaesthetist
Richard Taylor Scientist
Martin Barnes Student
Steve Gibb Guitarist, USA and UK
Osian Merfyn Physiotherapist
Bruce Hood Scientist, Professor of Developmental Psychology
John Stein Scientist, Professor of Neuroscience
Duncan Coutts Scientist, DPhil Student in Computer Science
Luke Parkitny Scientist, Australia
Last updated: December 10 2009
Press Coverage
The Sunday Times England's libel laws don't just gag me, they blindfold you
BBC NewsnightWatch here
The New York Times Cracking the Spine of Libel
The Guardian An intrepid, ragged band of bloggers
BMJ Guest Blog Sile Lane on keeping libel laws out of science
The Independent The libel laws that threaten to stifle scientific debate
BMJ Keep Libel Laws out of Science
New Humanist Bogus treatment
SEED Magazine On behalf of Simon Singh
The Sunday Times Think tank: Costly libel suits are stifling science
Wall Street Journal Britain chills free speech
Professor Chris French in The Guardian 'Witch hunt' forces chiropractors to take down their websites
Nature Unjust burdens of proof
The Economist A happy cacophony
Times Higher Education Win or lose, the cost of fighting a libel suit chills science and journalism
BMJ Science in court
Channel 4 News Watch here
Daily Mail Celebrities back writer sued by chiropractors
The Guardian Science writer Simon Singh to appeal against chiropractic libel judgement
The Times Review of libel law called for by comedians
The Independent Silenced, the writer who dared to say chiropractice is bogus
Daily Telegraph Stephen Fry and Ricky Gervais defend science writer sued for libel
Nature news Science writer will appeal libel case ruling
Times Higher Education Singh plans to appeal ruling in libel case
The Lib Dems make a commitment to libel law reform
BBC Online Relax 'unjust' libel law - Dawkins
The Guardian Richard Dawkins condemns British libel laws
The Sunday Times Richard Dawkins to call for changes to Britain's libel laws
The TelegraphLiberal Democrats back calls from Richard Dawkins to reform libel laws
Press Gazette Richard Dawkins: Libel rules create atmosphere of fear for scientists
E politix.com Libel laws pose 'serious public health problem'
Politics.co.uk Lib Dems challenge British libel law
Politics.co.uk The law that shames Britain
Simon Singh granted leave to appeal
The Times Simon Singh legal victory
The Guardian Science writer Simon Singh wins ruling in chiropractic libel battle
Index on Censorship Simon Singh wins leave to appeal in BCA libel case
Press Gazette Singh wins right to fight on in chiropractic libel battle
Standpoint Magazine High Court Gives Mr Justice Eady a Good Kicking
New Statesman A defence of scientific inquiry
Nature blogs Simon Singh vs the British Chiropractic Association, redux
Last updated: October 18 2009
The campaign at a glance
***UPDATE 17th February 2010*** The Big Libel Gig - a fundraising event for the libel reform campaign. Tickets on sale now. More here
***UPDATE 11th February 2010*** Simon Singh's idea - It might just work. Read more.
***UPDATE 5th February 2010*** Watch Dara O Briain, Dave Gorman, Professor Ray Tallis, Nick Ross and many others sign the libel reform petition at our launch event here.
***UPDATE 1st February 2010*** 20 organisations have signed the libel reform petition here.
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with EnglishPEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org Total signatories so far: 20136 The Keep Libel Laws out of Science campaign
Click here to read Sile Lane in the BMJ on the background to the campaign Click here to read Simon's full account of the story. Click here to read details of the launch of the campaign to Keep Libel Laws out of Science. Click here to read the statement released on June 4th 2009. Click here to read the statement translated into other languages (under development)
The Libel Laws
Click here to read about the launch of the Free Speech is not For Sale report on the impact of England's libel laws on freedom of expression. Click here to read about the Lib Dems making a committment to libel law reform on 20th September.
Click here to read about Richard Dawkins addressing the Lib Dem conference and click here to read Professor Dawkins on why he supports libel law reform.
Click here to read about other libel cases (under development)
Click here to view a bar chart showing a Comparative Study of Costs in Defamation Proceedings Across Europe.
Simon Singh's case
Click here to read about Simon being granted leave to appeal in his libel case with the BCA on 14th October Click here to read about Simon being refused permission to appeal in his case on 11th August 2009 and here to read Simon on his next steps Click here to read Simon Singh's Guardian article on chiropractic, Beware the Spinal Trap, from April 2008. Click here to view the debate about chiropractic. Signatories to the campaign Click here to see the list of signatories, including the 200 who signed up before the launch. Click here to read additional comments from signatories. For more signatories see the following pages (1000 signatories per page):
***UPDATE 22nd November 2009*** Jack Straw acknowledges need for libel law reform. Read more here
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Sign up and spread the word
Click here to sign the statement.
To be kept updated about the campaign you can now subscribe to our Twitter feed here
Click here to donate to the campaign, including international donations.
Click here to get the T-Shirt! (badge, mug, cap...).
Click here to put a campaign button or banner on your website.
News
Click here to see the campaign press coverage.
Click here to read the statement released on June 4th 2009.
Friday 5th June 2009: Click here to read the response to the statement, from a group of cross party MPs.
Tuesday 2nd July 2009: Click here to read World science journalists object to English libel laws
Monday 20th July 2009: Click here to read Dr Evan Harris MP asking Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Ben Bradshaw, whether he would meet with a delegation of signatories of Keep the Libel Laws out of Science.
Wednesday 29th July 2009: Click here to read Beware the Spinal Trap, Simon Singh's article on chiropractic from The Guardian from April 2008 and for a list of the huge number of other places it appears today.
Friday 31st July 2009: Click here to read Simon Singh's statement on being refused permission to appeal in his case and on his next steps
Sunday 20th September 2009: Click here to read about the Lib Dems making a commitment to libel law reform
Wednesday 14th October 2009: Click here to read about Simon being granted leave to appeal in his libel case with the BCA
For more information contact Sile Lane on .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 020 7478 4380.
Last updated: February 24 2010
Signatories to Keep Libel Laws out of Science - page 15
***UPDATE 10 December 2009***The Campaign is gaining momentum and we have now joined with English PEN and Index on Censorship in the Coalition for Libel Reform. Add your voice and sign the petition to urge politicians to support a bill for major reform of the libel laws now, at www.libelreform.org.
| Previous 1000 names | Next 1000 names |
Everyone below signed as an individual unless otherwise stated
Kate Whitlock Student
Alexandra Pitman Research Psychiatrist, Research Fellow
Dr Bill McLundie Chartered Engineer
Paddy Regan Professor of Physics
David Bangert scientist, Managing Director
Dr Gavin Whyman scientist
Charlotte Moonan Taught Postgraduate Manager
Giselle Walker scientist, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Daniel Clery journalist, Deputy News Editor
Justine Rudkin scientist, PhD student
Julian Higgins Senior Statistician
David Melzer Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health
Richard Sibly scientist, Professor
Alex Grimwood scientist, Grad Student
Jack Pridham Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry
Brian Morgan Ph.D scientist, Consultant, Consultant
Jonathan Buisson scientist, Member of English Pharmacy Board
Joachim Payne scientist, BioResources Manager
Ann Watson Hospital Consultant Haematologist
Andrew Taylor Clockmaker
Dilys Cordingley
J. Paul Bolam scientist, Professor MRC Senior Scientist
Maria Viskaduraki Medical Statistician/Scientist
Stuart Umbo Science communicator, Contemporary science content developer
Werner Wiethege Software Engineer
Valerie Rees Retired teacher of adults with learning disabilities
Denis Leslie Computer Systems Manager (Retired)
Simon Binnie scientist, PhD Student
Johan Nyberg Physiotherapist, Sweden
Sophie Mackenzie journalist, Editor
Andrew Rankine scientist, Director of Safety Services
Andrew Parker Pathologist, Consultant
Lynda Williams journalist, Deputy Bureau Chief
Anne McDonough
Peter Moore Metallurgical Consultant
Kim Northwood Software Engineer
Zoe Sargeant scientist
Peter Wilkie Finance Manager
Peter Roberts Professor of Pharmacology
Joanna Richardson scientist, Research Associate
Jolyon Cohen Medical Student
Rebecca Jones scientist, PhD Student
Alan Morris scientist, Reader
David Elliott IT Manager
M Jayne Lawrence Professor of Biophysical Pharmaceutics
Daniel Rigden scientist, Lecturer
Martin Ryan Academic, Teaching Fellow
Tom Dingley scientist, Senior Technologist - Food industry
Jane Teather Information Design Consultant, Proprietor
Amanda Foxon-Hill scientist, Director, Australia
Rachel Brouwer scientist, postdoc researcher, the Netherlands
Peter Gardner scientist, lecturer
Morrison Sandy journalist, Freelance technology journalist/editor
Caroline Taylor Teacher of Science
Anita Craig Freelance Scholar, sole operator, South Africa
Helen Eagleton Doctor, Consultant Haematologist
Tom Addiscott scientist, Lawes Trust Senior Fellow
Tony Fisher Teacher of Science
Rupert Kahn Librarian, Information Adviser
Paul Donachie Medical Statistician
John Ellis scientist, Managing Director
Professor David Attwell FRS Jodrell Professor of Physiology
Dr Philippe Rogueda scientist, Principal Fellow
Neil Copland scientist, Research Associate, Belgium
Natalie Doig scientist, PhD Student
Douglas Eyeions scientist, Retired Director General of Computing Association
Ahmed Gouda Sustainability Manager
Thomas Penman Data Manager
Sencan Tuncer Electronics engineer, Senior analogue designer
Helen Playford scientist, Student
Jessica Rigden GP
chris Jenkins Scientific Officer, New Zealand
Laura Corcuera journalist, Editor in chief
Tony Heyes Gentleman Scientist, Australia
Enrique Lopez-Juez scientist, Senior lecturer
Alison Binney journalist, Director and journalist, Germany
Joanne Hague Teacher, Head of ICT
Martin Redfern journalist, sernior producer
Seth Shulman journalist, Author/journalist, USA
Julie McLellen student
Graeme Hodgson scientist, Research Engineer
Sandra Noir scientist, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Michael Malakata journalist, Southern Africa Correspondent, Gambia
Ifeoma Ndefo press officer, Unit head info/pr unit, Nigeria
Mabutho Ngcobo journalist, Reporter, South Africa
Justa Wawira Head of external relations, Kenya
John Bridge Retired scientist
Janet Meenaghan Education, Vice Principal
Charlotte Davison Student
James Meenaghan Manager, Computing & Telecomms Manager
Jon Torkelsson journalist, reporter/editor, Sweden
Morag Fraser Clerical, Receptionist
Safaa Kanj journalist, Trainer/editor, Cyprus
Timothy Kreider Medical student, USA
Gerry Glauser USA
Kenneth de Veaux Medical Practitioner (retired), AU
Lou LaPorta scientist
Gareth Jones scientist, Professor of Cell Biology
Joan Marn Registered Dietician, Adjunct Professor
Jay J. Krull USA
James Handman journalist, Executive Producer, Canada
Peter Calamai journalist, Freelance Magazine Writer, Canada
Chrétienne Vuijst journalist, Freelance Science Journalist, Netherlands
Robyn Williams journalist, Producer/presenter, Australia
Kelly Graves Student, Australia
Jenny Mortimer scientist, Postdoctoral Researcher
Donald Schmucker Manager, President & CEO, USA
Nicola O'Brien Graduate
Alexandra Sinclair scientist, PhD student
Barrie Cassileth scientist, Chief Integrative Medicine Service, USA
Marius Cohen Lecturer, Program of Cognitive Science, Israel
Macleod Sawyer environmental chemist, USA
Nick Pinansky Computer Engineer, Programmer, USA
Rebekah Alexander Writer, Freelance, Norfolk
Charles Cress Retired Associate Professor of Pharmacology, United States
Gerhard Kerstiens Science consultant
Matthew Lambert Postgraduate student
Marilynn Larkin journalist, USA
Jack Rowley Research manager, Director Research & Sustainability
Carlene Durgin Logistics/Sr. Supply Chain analyst, Documentation Group , United States
James Ballinger MD PhD Physician, Clinical Assistant Professor, USA
Graham Leslie doctor
Jean-Pierre Imhof nurse, quality manager, Switzerland
Sandra Neill educator, College professor, Canada
Steven Farkas IT Professional, IT Ops
David Rigden
John Moore-Gillon Doctor, Consultant Physician
W. Dee Medley DDS Retired dentist, USA
Pierre Vincens farmer (wine-corn), France
Barbara Moore Manager
Pauline Steadman Teacher
Zapalowski Michal scientist, research assistant, Poland
Yolanta Buxton Retired. Formerly worked in pharmaceuticals
Koenraad Blot Clinical development consultant, Founder/CEO, Belgium
Beate Christgen scientist, PhD Student, Tyne&Wear
Mark Hammonds Senior Charge Nurse
Les Ennis Dentist, Canada
Alain Bonet Teacher, France
Brian Futterman Finance, SVP Operations, US
Tim Bliss FRS FMedSci scientist, Retired member of scientific staff MRC
Charles Wisniewski DMD Dentist, USA
Linda Kelly Health Advocate, FL
Don Copler Technical, Communications Technician, USA
Joyce Hopwood retired biologist
Douglas Laue Deputy Director (retired), USA
Andrea Schweitzer scientist, U.S. Project Manager, USA
Jamie Williams Software Engineer, Wales
Andy Alford Software Developer
Mark Fletcher Retired solicitor
Judith Celik Healthcare Provider, Nurse Practitioner (GYN/Oncology)
Ollie Killingback
Graeme Bell Customer Services
Brian de Kretser retired, member of the darwin skeptics, Australia
James Howell MD scientist, retired, US
Vincent Jansen scientist, Professor of Mathematical Biology
Laura Starling Librarian
Rodney Pettipher Engineer
Peter Magill scientist, MRC Senior Scientist
John Hunt scientist, Archaeologist
Maureen Douglas scientist, GP, Scotland
James Kelly
David Fredericks journalist
Graeme Hanigan Scientician, Managing Director, Australia
Carol Cyr Computer Instructor, Computer Instructor, USA
Charlie Carter BSc PhD Biologist Sceptic, Australia
Philip Stephenson scientist, Australia
Stephen Johnson
Donald Ashby Event Management/Promotion, Boss, Australia.
Crystal underwood mis specialist
Michael Plaisted
Georgina Lovely Science Teacher, Volunteer, Tanzania
David Spencer PhD MCCPM DABR scientist, Senior Medical Physicist, Canada
Simon Whitehead GP, Australia
Trish ONeil RNBSN, retired, USA
Georgi Pavlovski scientist, Postdoctoral Reseach Fellow, Hampshire
Caroline Burton
Barbara Wright
Anthony Mundy journalist
Dr Stephen King FRSC scientist
Zachary Macintosh Writer, Australia
Basil Glanville teacher, retired
Helen Simmons Doctor
George Andrews
David Balding scientist, Professor of Statistical Genetics
Nicholas Kraemer Free lance Conductor
George Leach Counsellor
Liz Anderson psychotherapist
Christopher Kershaw Retired Science Teacher
Daniel Hawcutt scientist, Lecturer (clinical) Paediatric Pharmacology
Bob Smith scientist, Research Fellow
Beverley Jones Librarian, Cataloguer
Larissa Ryan Medical Doctor
Laura Strachan nurse
Ellen Sibly Doctor, Senior House Officer
Anna Wells retired counselor & educator, United States
Nandita Sengupta journalist, India
Elizabeth Kirby scientist, USA
Francis Gerstle scientist, Deputy Director of Manufacturing Science & Technology (Retired), New Mexico
Francisco Azuaje scientist, Senior Researcher Computational Biology, Luxembourg
WIlliam Breedon Engineer (retired)
David McDowell
Joyce Spangler textbook editor, Editorial Director Science, USA
John Downham Retired
Gary Indenbaum Ph.D. Psychologist, USA
Christopher Bojrab Physician, President, USA
Andrew Green GP
Nichola Marshall scientist
Joel Hardman Student
Simon Hebard Doctor, Anaesthetic Registrar
Angela Fell pharmacist, primary care
Mark Smallwood Utility, Engineer, United Statea
Gwyneth Owen doctor
John Ansari
John Pasceri Medical Supply , USA
Michael Wynn pharma sales, USA
John Davies
Nina Aerts Belgium
Chris Atkinson Electrician ( and qualified solicitor), New Zealand
Monica Kelly Family Nurse Practitioner, USA
Pauline Oram Retired primary school teacher
Ralph Waldo M.D. M.D., Physician, USA
Basil Debnekoff scientist, Retired, USA
Frank Van Maroey computer programmer, Belgium
Sean Cavany Student
William May Computer Tech., USA
Ann Morris Physician Assistant, USA
Robert Flanagan scientist, Consultant Clinical Scientist
Whitney Wrich Student and Blogger, USA
Tim Boyce
Alister Perrott Software Engineer, Managing Director
Monika Nitzl scientist, Germany
Barrington Furr Consultant Chief Scientist
Phil Hill Dentist, General Practioner, Australia
Chris Webb
Terence French Consultant Physician, VMO Grafton Base Hospital, Australia
Ben Margiotta Airline Pilot, Captain
Thomas Sinex Teacher
Daniel Hoefner scientist, Clinical Chemist, USA
David Taylor Physician, M.D., Indiana
John Phoenix Engineer, Senior Software Engineer
James Field Retired ICT Professional, Teacher Project Manager
Andrew Cook scientist, Senior Research Scientist / Project leader
Henry Campbell Publisher, CA
Simon Bailey Director of IT Services Business , Director Payments and Transaction Banking
Susie Daniels marketing, sales professional, United States
Matthew Burton Artist
Stephen Park scientist, Post-doctoral researcher, Ireland
Hilary Russell Librarian
Joe Magrath scientist, Retired chemist, USA
Mike Addison Retired Clinical Pathologist
Neil Graham scientist, Student
David Jones Student
Catherine Gilkes scientist, Neurosurgery Registrar
Sumeet Chadha Doctor of Medicine, Consultant in Acute Medicine
George Onslow Principal Scientist
Joseph Goldman Student
Bryan Meakin Manager
Dr. Christina Niederstadt MPH Physician, Consultant, Germany
Frank Loeffler Retired obstetrician/gynaecologist, Honorary Consultant
Bert Golding scientist, Retired
Jason Morgan scientist, Post Grad
Benjamin Pierce scientist, Professor Computer and Information Science, USA
Andrew Ford Uplift Clerk, Australia
Kristina Dahlin scientist, Associate Professor, France
Jason McCusker Architecture and Design, Intern Architect, USA
Katherine Lampman registered nurse, health consultant, USA
Rochelle Golding Domestic Goddess, Australia
Donald Guttinger Ph. D. Retired, Instructor, USA
Janice Claydon Canada
Ron Elster Engineer, Senior Engineer, USA
Per Borghammer scientist, MD PhD, MD PhD, Denmark
Ian Carr Community Pharmacist, Pharmacy Proprietor, Australia
Lars Gormsen scientist, Physician, Denmark
Barry Thomas Laboratory Analyst, Equipment Engineer, Australia
Julian Blow scientist, Professor, Scotland
Mathilda Branson Artist
Chris Morton IT, System Administrator
Tejs Klug scientist, MD, Denmark
Vanessa Pupavac academic International Relations, lecturer
Leigh Griffiths musician
Peter Taylor scientist, Royal Society Wolfson Professor of Chemistry
Robert Spooner Biological Sciences
Inga Deakin scientist, PhD student
Mark J. van Raaij Tenured Scientist, Spain
Richard Wilson management consultant
Joanna Lyford journalist, Medical Writer
Michael Cowling Mason Professor of Pure Mathematics
Theodore Hong scientist, Research Associate
Christopher Rose GIS Consultant , Technical Consultant
Chris Elliott scientist, Lecturer
Christopher Wortley Songwriter
Salquebre Guillaume scientist, Analytical Chemistry Technician, Luxembourg
Nick Walker Enterprise Architect, European Head of Enterprise Architecture
James Brooks psychologist, clinical psychologist, USA
Jonathan Pearson Retail, MD
Catherine Ruddy Student
Dirk Hermans scientist, Senior Lecturer
Anita Hall scientist, Lecturer/PI
Ian Brown Manager, Operations Manager, Australia
Bob MacCallum scientist,
Daniel Sweeney M.Sc.
Larry Litwin Software Engineer retired, USA
Brian Cary scientist, Clinical Research Consultant
Joel Fredrik Aanerud scientist, PhD-student MD, Denmark
David Parkins Engineer, Licensed Engineer President, USA
Athena Drakou scientist, Italy
Anna Wilson Media Planner, Director
Jennifer MacCallum Retired teacher
George Harley Ex-Serviceman, Retired, Australia
Torben Albert Devantier scientist, MD, PhD student, Denmark
Natalie Hamlet Student
Richard Phillips Integrated circuit design engineer and researcher, Canada
Gordon Cheyne Medical practitioner, Australia
Clarence Riser scientist, Medical Consultant Occupational Issues, USA
Robert Burriss Postdoctoral researcher in anthropology, USA
Ciaran Fowley scientist, Postgraduate Student, Ireland
Kristine Danowski scientist
Kirk Leech Researcher, Project Manager
Koen Heuvinck Civil Cervant, Belgium
Paul Firth IT Support
Rik Min scientist, former assistent professor, The Netherlands
Paul de Kort Teacher, Head of sixth form
John Dodes Dentist
Brendan Corcoran scientist, Professor, Scotland UK
Mike Coryell Engineer, Partner, USA
Adam Gow scientist, Senior Clinical Scholar in Canine Medicine
Martin Livermore Consultant, Director
Sanjay Mishra scientist, staff psychiatrist, USA
Pauline Jamieson Scientist and Veterinary Surgeon, Lecturer in Veterinary Medicine
Stephen Ornes journalist, USA
Kathleen Wesa scientist, Assistant Attending Physician, USA
Laura de Poitiers Accountancy, Trainee Chartered Accountant
Brian Walsh journalist, Host, USA
Cristian Marcel Roman journalist, Editor in chief, Romania
Lesley Gravett
André Forget Sciences teacher, Teacher, Québec Canada
Lynn Townsend Editor
Adrian Farcas scientist, Research Associate
Hafsa Mohammed-Berhan student
Ed Porteous Engineer, Senior Software Engineer
Bob Sloan Residential house supervisor
Alex Poole User Interface Designer
Nate Schomp Engineer, Manager, USA
Professor Stuart Bunt scientist, Professorial Fellow, Australia
David Slatyer administrator, australia
Bob Rayner IT security consultant
Marvin Zelkowitz scientist, Research Professor, United States
Helen Dooley scientist, Doctoral student, Australia
Robert Arjet Writer, USA
Claire Hadley Science PhD student, Australia
David Coggon scientist, Professor of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Harold P. Vladar scientist, Post Doctorant
Dirk-Jan de Koning scientist, Group Leader
Rahel Bieri Psychologist, Switzerland
Iain Kennedy scientist, Research Tech, Scotland
Kjetil Kjernsmo Senior Knowledge Engineer, Norway
Hugh Keegan Retired, France
Sandy Curnow Teacher, retired, Ausstralia
Alistair Cox Resident in Veterinary Pathology
Martin Hardwidge Technical Marketing , Owner
Andrew Fogarty Epidemiologist
Nandor Kurtossy musician
Christopher Kay Finance, System Analyist
Brandon Konkel scientist
Joy Hinson scientist, Dean for Postgraduate Studies
James Whisstock scientist, Professor, Australia
Fiona Warren scientist, Lecturer
Carol Humphreys scientist
Rachel Birrell Editor technology research company
Louise Devantier scientist, MD, Denmark
Gregory Salter Risk advisor, Principal Advisor
Mustafa Beg IT Manager
Ian Trattell Biology Graduate, UK
Sylfest Muldal Technical author
Ashley Buckle scientist, Associate Professor, Australia
Mair Morel entertainer
Mike Forrester psychotherapist, Scotland
David McKnight Retired science teacher and Humanist, Secretary
Derle Gilliam Emergency Department Nurse, USA
Tobias Mejstad Sweden
Debora Furlott Nurse, USA
Terry Reedy scientist, Independent Researcher/Writer, USA
Auvray Sylvain France
Trevor Creamer scientist, Associate Professor, USA
Professor Juan J. Iruin scientist, Spain
Michael Lindner supervisor
Liam Baldwin
Michael Goldman journalist, Science writer, USA
Mrs. Marcia Drago Education, Science Lab Manager, USA
Jonathan Cooper scientist, Professor of Structural Biology
Robert Fellows IT Professional, Seniore Network Analyst
Seonaid Beckwith student, studying for an MPhil
Daniel Temple Engineer, R&D manager, Denmark
Dr. Jeffery Robinson scientist, Principal
Shivaguru Prabakaran Student, India
Keith Nugent Financial Services
Sven Ferguson Accountant, USA
Shaun Treweek scientist, Senior Lecturer
Amy Science Educator, USA
David Holter Science teacher, Head of Science
Rupert Young scientist, Cognitive Detective
Andrew Crane scientist, PhD Student
John Baker Software Architect
Dr Nick Allum Senior Lecturer in Empirical Sociology
Davina Ross-Anderson hospital doctor
Karyn Edwards Soft Tissue Therapist, Australia
David Sugerman Pathologist (retired), Australia
Steven Shorrock scientist, Senior Lecturer, Australia
Troy Thompson Engineer, Metallurgical Consultant, Australia
Alan Keenleside IT Professional, Vice President Equity Technology, Australia
Elena Lambert Medical Doctor, Radiology registrar, Northern Ireland
Dr Martin Toal MFPM FFPHM Doctor, Medical Director Oncology
Benedict Cusack Public Servant, Senior Research Officer, Australia
Leighton Pritchard Computational Biologist, Scotland
Ulrich Schrader Professor for Health and Nursing Informatics, Germany
Nigel Smith Professor of Astroparticle Physics
Jamie Collin scientist, Post Doctoral Researcher
Niall MacDougall Doctor, Clinical Research Fellow
Rose Lees teacher software engineer interpreter
Rebecca Linssen journalist, Editor British Journal of Hospital Medicine
Julian Jessop Medical Practitioner, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Mark Loeffler Surgeon, consultant and clinical director
John Barker Software Engineer
Fiona Hayes Medical Doctor, Rheumatology registrar
Ruth Woods Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Ronan O'Leary MBChB PhD Registrar in anaesthesia and intensive care medicine
Jacqueline Limpens scientist, Librarian, the Netherlands
Peter English Public Health Doctor, CCDC
Fraser Dean Orthopaedic Surgeon, Scotland
Liz Steadman Psychologist, Senior Lecturer
Tracie Bangert Librarian, West Sussex
Max Headley Professor of Physiology
Gary Moss Head of Pharmaceutics
Andrew Sharp scientist, Fellow in Interventional Cardiology, Italy
David Jane Professor in Chemical Pharmacology
Richard Apps scientist, Professor
Nathan Richard Zaccai scientist, Research Associate
Emma Richardson scientist, Postgraduate Student
Nadine Becker scientist, Postdoctoral Research Assistant
Tym King Language consultant, Spain
Rebecca Sitsapesan Reader in Pharmacology
Claire Jenkinson scientist, Research Associate
Miriam Anixter Physician, Assistant Professor, USA
Sharon Coen scientist, Lecturer, UK
Dilwyn Marple-Horvat Professor of Motor Neuroscience
Lori Wopshall Pharmacist, USA
John Wood Postdoctoral Synthetic Organic Chemist
Charlotte Flavell scientist, Post Doc
Carl Bartecchi Distinguished Professor of Clinical Medicine, USA
Fiona Jordan scientist, The Netherlands
Jennifer Phillips scientist, Postdoctoral Research Associate, OR
Brian Dale Student, USA
Kate Fisher scientist, Research Assistant
Marian Stephens Physiotherapist
Steven Bradley Engineer, Australia
Maneshveri Pather Family practitioner, Canada
John Gillespie scientist, PhD Student
David Sheppard Reader in Physiology
G Edwards IT Consultant
James Spencer scientist, Lecturer
Tony Pickering scientist, Senior lecturer in Anaesthesia & Physiology
Allen Pasternak USA
Heather Jarvis Australia
William Cooley Retired air traffic controller, USA
Michael Fox Museum Collections, Collections Database Manager, United States
Gael Herve scientist, coordonnatrice, Canada
Graham Mitchell scientist, Research Fellow
Greg Brown Solicitor, Partner
Maria Usowicz scientist, Senior Lecturer
Mark Gillett IT Sales, Business Development
Eugene Lloyd Doctor/Teacher, Senior Teaching Fellow
James Richmond scientist, Tutor in Physics, Australia
Siraj Rakhada IT
Bruce Matthews Professor of Physiology - Emeritus
Fiona Holmes scientist, Postdoctoral researcher
Ken Howells scientist, lecturer
Mark Saunders Admin, Administrative Assistant
Richard Browne Software Engineer, Australia
Rutger Stjernstrom Physician, Sweden
Sean Tighe guitar technician
Simon Dyson Sociologist, Professor
Andrew Tilley IT Professional
Jean Pestieau Professor Emeritus of Theoretical Physics, Belgium
George Hawthorne Freelance Software Developer
Stephen Montgomery BMedSci BM BS FRCS(Ed)Orth MChOrth Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Alex Clarke Rheumatologist, Specialist Registrar
Hidetomo Katsura scientist, Software Engineer, USA
Peter Evans Assembler
Lorraine Smith-Phelan Science Editor, Executive Editor, USA
Joseph Thomson-Swift Lewisham Humanist Group Member
Russell Clarke IT Director
Michael Burkitt scientist, Research Training Fellow
William Brooks Physician Assistant, PA-C, USA
Douglas R. Bates Family Physician, Canada
Susanna Rees secretary
Kai-Inge Hillerud Science Academy Officer (law degree), Retired Executive Secretary, Sweden
Greg Kerr physics teacher
Neil Hilton primary school teacher
Ellis Nadler illustrator
Peter Mckenna solicitor
David Anderson Broadcaster/journalist, Australia
Cheryl Hamill Health Librarian, Chief Librarian / Webmanager, Australia
Christopher Bedford Publisher, Managing Director, Australia
Keith Barrand BVetMed CertSAM CBiol MIBiol MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon, Director
Melody McCombe Principal, New Zealand
David Vernon scientist
Clive DuPort IT engineer, Guernsey
Dr Klaus Schneider Attorney at law, Germany
Raphael Cohn student
Tom Blakeson Television, Executive Producer
Daniel Loblowitz Solicitor
Robert Pittam scientist, DPhil Student
Lesley Wensley University employee, Systems Analyst
Stephen Newland IT, Project Manager
Marjory Smith campaigner, Scotland
Andre Marques Smith scientist, DPhil student in Neuroscience
Paul Phillips Senior IT Manager, Professional Services Manager
Chien Chun Angela Hong graduate student
Clive Nolan Photographer
Sarah Sharpe
Richard Hopkins scientist, D Phil Student
Tim Sharpe Software Engineer
Perin Frank dentist, france
Jonathan Nendick Chartered Accountant
Shana Sutton-Rust Pharmaceutical industry, Sales, USA
Dr Geoff Taylor scientist
Phil Langton scientist, Senior Lecturer and Faculty Academic Director of E-Learning
Robert Wiggin minibus driver
Iain Robbé scientist, Clinical Senior Lecturer, Wales
Genevieve Shanahan Student Philosophy, Ireland
Kay Townsend Nurse Lecturer, Hampshire
David Bosworth Retired psychology lecturer
Richard Philpott Retired Payroll Manager
Chris Aherne Bank Administrator, Ireland
Douglas Cope Engineer, Electrical Engineer
Mike Tobyn scientist
Mark Fry Engineer
Claire McNelis Student, Ireland
Hugo Arruda de Moura Torres scientist, graduate student, Brazil
Jeremy Orchard Chemical Engineer, Australia
Geoffrey Cashion General Practitioner, Australia
Robert Lucas truck driver, USA
Kiri Pullar scientist, Postgrad Student, New Zealand
Stephen Fletcher Hospital consultant, Consultant in intensive care medicine
Andrew Clarke scientist, Director
Doris Flanagan Customer Service Operator, Telephonist, Australia
Chris Hughes Software Engineer
Kenneth Vickers General Practitioner
Claude Cardot SeniorTelecom engineer (retr.), France
Henry G Cupstid Physician, US
Carol Vander Stoep dental hygienist/writer, USA
Shashank Virmani scientist, Lecturer
Douglas Freckelton Librarian, Forensic Science Reference Librarian, Australia
James Anderson
Dr Gina Louise Physician, Canada
Duncan Kinnear Actuary
Brian Proffitt Retired Engineer
Jim Showalter Software Engineer, Staff Engineer, USA
Will Nolan Financial Services, Senior Specialist, Ireland
Johan Haverkort veterinarian, managing director Region Arnhem (retired) , The Netherlands
Sven-Olof Ronnskog Retired industry professional, Sweden
Edward Loughran farmer, Northern Ireland
Brian Lawrence Oil & Gas Production, Maintenance Supervisor, USA
David Dearlove archaeology student, MSc student
Marc Schmidt scientist, Senior Experimental Officer
Robert Arnold Teacher
Conor Hattwell-Leach Chemistry Student
Daryl Anderson Biomedical Imaging Specialist, USA
John King Medical Practitioner, Honorary Fellow
Miriam Miller Student
Neil Lawton GP
Verinder Syal Business, USA
Johanna Kleute Skeptic lawyer, USA
Aaron Downes IT, tech support, Australia
John Jordan Strategy consultant
Su-Lyn Poon Alternative energy consultant, Malaysia
Barbara Harder Becker Mathematics Instructor, Faculty, USA
George Greenwood Retired Accountant, Australia
Bart De Vuyst
David Aspinall Lecturer in Computer Science
Malcolm Sambridge scientist, Professor, Australia
Andrew Pettit
Stefano Galmarini scientist, Senior scientist, Italy
John Simon
Wendy Brown scientist
Christina Innes English as an Additional Language Teacher
James Skirving Retired Teacher, Science coordinator
Sonia Pati
Andy Goldberg Consultant Surgeon, Chairman
Joanne Rigby
David Leddy Tinsmith
Ellen de Bruin Science Editor, The Netherlands
Laurence Skinner IT Professional
John Coghlan Cardiologist, Consultant
Gregory Argyris physics teacher, Greece
Bernard Frangoulis scientist, Chargé de recherches, France
Scott Horne writer, Canada
Vinay Sharma scientist, Teacher
Sarah Ditum journalist, Freelance
David Plevin Pharmacy Student, Australia
Derek Hudson science teacher
Pablo Van der Steen teacher, Belgium
David Cooper Programmer, Senior Developer
Mike Furness Teacher, Leader of New Technologies Faculty of Mathematics
Rose-Linh Le Lawyer , Australia
Kevin Fynn Engineer, Professor, Australia
Leo Davidson Computer programmer
Geoffrey Chase Retired Engineer
Peter Smith Insurance Underwriter
Martin Bendall Teacher, Head of Science
John Cuffe Maths Teacher
Kate Joester Health Promotion worker
Valerie Hunting
Chris Del Mar scientist, Dean, Australia
Rajashree Novelist & Filmmaker
Nicola MacLeod scientist, retired senior lecturer
Anton Dahlén Student, Sweden
Philip Fitzpatrick Electronic Technician, Australia
Claire Loneragan Senior Analyst
Reuben Baker Retired teacher now farming., Scotland
Thomas Peterson software developer, USA
David Clark Software development, Director, South Africa
Richard Woolfson Consultant to the legal system, formerly a mathematician, Director
Dave Owen Educator(retired)
Robin Livett
Joseph A. Marcus Ph.D. scientist, Research Associate, USA
Patricia Livett
Vincent Strgar Engineer, Physics Assisant, Canada
George Gilder retired teacher
G Trefor Jones forensic science student
Ram Nair Retired consultant
Edward Roge retired, USA
Sara Bernard Biology Teacher, The Netherlands
Hans Wagner Medical Imaging Student, Sonography Technician Trainee, USA
Kent Sabin retired engineer, supervisor, usa
Tom Linton Canada
Claudia Megaro Nurse, USA
Paula Piechotta medical student, Germany
Paul Benning local government officer, facilties management
Andrew Crysell Teacher of science
Ian McDiarmid Sales Manager
Graham Mansfield retired teacher
Bruce Burr Engineer, Chief Designer, USA
Ed Westemeier journalist, Writer, USA
Mark Sinton Chemical Engineer
Dr. Vince Matthews scientist, Retired Industrial Chemist
Donald Hostetler Nuclear Engineer, USA
Larry Lombard Healthcare, Quality Assurance Manager, USA
Mike Cardoso Fitness & Lifestyle Consultant, Canada
Steven Hall University technical support, CNC Technician, Canada
John Lindberg Engineer, Retired, USA
David Rainham Physician, Canada
Paul Busch scientist, Professor
Jack Grimes Health care, Human Factor Engineer, USA
Jon Neall Teacher
Charles Shankin RN Emergency Dept., USA