On Wednesday 9 July, the Adelaide Law School will host Professor Tim Caulfield from the University of Alberta, Canada, who will speak on ‘Health Myths and the Forces that Twist’.

There is now more health research and sources of health information than ever, and survey research tells us that the public has a strong interest in both health science and information about healthy living. Despite this reality, there remains deep confusion regarding the individual and population actions that can maintain and improve our health, such as nutrition, exercise and weight management. Moreover, dangerous myths (such as those associated with vaccination) and pseudoscientific belief systems (such as those underlying practices like homeopathy and cleansing) seem to be gaining traction.

This talk will explore both how science is spun and why misperceptions persist. We will see that a complex interplay of various social and psychological forces conspire to twist what we all hear and believe about health research, including publication bias, ideological agendas, marketing pressures, media spin and even celebrity endorsements.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday 9 July, 2014

Time: 7pm

Venue: Moot Court Room, Ligertwood, Adelaide Law School.

Registration: Please click here to register by Monday 7 July

Enquiries:  Associate Professor Bernadette Richards at bernadette.richards@adelaide.edu.au

Co-hosted by the University of Alberta