Edzard Ernst is perhaps best known to skeptics for his 2008 book Trick or Treatment: Alternative Medicine On Trial, co-authored with past QED speaker Simon Singh. Formerly the Director of the Complementary Medicine Research Group at the University of Exeter, Ernst's work in the field of complementary and alternative medicine (a phrase he argues is nonsensical) earned him a reputation as the "scourge of alternative medicine".
Though he practiced homeopathy early in his career, his ruthless application of the principles of science and willingness to be led by the data, soon convinced him that most forms of so-called alternative medicines lacked robust evidence to support them. Moreover, many had an evidence base which actually indicated they were ineffective.
A polarising figure, Ernst founded two medical journals, published over 1,000 peer-reviewed papers and wrote thirty-nine books. He also served on the Medicines Commission for the MHRA. A prolific public speaker, he has delivered in the region of 500 invited lectures - and we're extremely proud to welcome him to QED.
This article has been updated to remove the implication that Professor Ernst had retired from Exeter, rather than merely as Director of the Complementary Medicine Research Group.