Introduction
Timothy Allen Caulfield (born 1963) is a Canadian professor of law at the University of Alberta, the research director of its Health Law Institute, and Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy. He writes and speaks about legal and ethical issues in medical research, and is the author of two books.
Early life and education
Caulfield went to high school in Edmonton, Alberta. He attended the University of Alberta, earning a B. Sc. in 1987 and a law degree in 1990. During this time he also performed in two rock bands, "The Citizens" and "Absolute 9". He completed an L.L.M. degree at Dalhousie University in 1993.
Career
In 1996 Caulfield became an assistant professor at the University of Alberta. After working several years as an associate professor. In 2001 he co-edit a book, Health Care Reform & the Law in Canada: Meeting the Challenge. He became a full professor in 2004.
Caulfield has published more than 300 articles in academic journals and popular media about a variety of topics related to ethics and the effect of media hype on medical research. He also uses social media to debunk health advice provided by celebrities.
In 2011 Caulfield wrote a book The Cure for Everything. In it he tried to clarify for his readers the science behind sensationalized media reports about the effects of diet and fitness on health. In 2012 he chaired a conference on the commercialization of Genetic Research.
Caulfield's 2015 book, Is Gwyneth Paltrow Wrong About Everything?, debunked health and beauty advice given by celebrity Gwyneth Paltrow, and addresses the statistical likelihood of the average person becoming a celebrity. The book won the 2015 Science in Society General Book Award from the Canadian Science Writer's Association.