Michael Marshall – Project Director Co-founder of the Merseyside Skeptics Society and co-organiser of the QED skeptical conference, 'Marsh' was the project leader and figurehead of the 10:23 Campaign, aimed at raising public awareness of homeopathy - resulting in international coverage and worldwide skeptical involvement. With a background in marketing and communications, his skeptical activism has included testing psychic claims, trialling sports performance wristbands, interviewing proponents of alternative beliefs and exposing the influences of PR in journalism.
Michael Marshall
UK
Author's posts
Jun 07 2016
The Good Thinking Society welcomes NHS Liverpool CCG’s report on homeopathy funding
Continued funding or end of funding to be decided on June 14 The Good Thinking Society welcomed today’s report from NHS Liverpool CCG on the subject of homeopathy, which showed overwhelming support from Liverpool residents for an end to funding. The report, which came about after Good Thinking’s legal challenge to the CCG in February …
Jun 06 2016
Good Thinking Supporters June 2016 Newsletter
June 2016 Newsletter: Action needed on homeopathy in the Wirral; your animal homeopathy experiences; health professionals call on Charity Commmission to strike off charities promoting disproven therapies
Feb 16 2016
Peter Popoff’s ‘prosperity gospel’ letters in full
Last year, we published details of our lengthy investigation into the faith healer Peter Popoff, including our undercover footage taken at his London show and a summary of the letters he sends out to those who sign up for his ‘miracle spring water’. Also, last month Icelandic broadcasting authority, which oversees one of the channels …
Feb 12 2016
Ask your vet to speak out against using homeopathy for animals
Anyone who is familiar with the arguments used in the promotion of homeopathy will have heard on the assertion that homeopathy cannot be merely placebo, because it works in the treatment of animals, who “are not susceptible to the placebo effect”. This is, of course, entirely untrue: the placebo effect is on the pets’ owners, …
Feb 09 2016
Have your say on NHS Homeopathy funding in the Wirral
Last year, we challenged NHS Liverpool CCG over their decision to spend over £30,000 per year on homeopathic remedies. Given that homeopathy has proven to be nothing other than placebo, we argued that spending any money at all on this treatment was unjustifiable and possibly unlawful. We are expecting the results of the consultation soon, …
Feb 01 2016
Good Thinking’s complaint against Peter Popoff infomercials upheld
Last year we reported on our lengthy investigation into Peter Popoff and his current business soliciting donations from members of the public via false promises of miraculous health and wealth. Part of our investigation involved complaints about the broadcasting of infomercials in which Mr Popoff advertises his ‘miracle water’, some of which are broadcast via …
Feb 01 2016
Good Thinking Supporters February 2016 Newsletter
February 2016 Newsletter: Tell NHS Wirral what you think about homeopathy; ask your vet to speak out against using homeopathy for animals; broadcasters uphold our Peter Popoff complaint.
Jan 29 2016
Liverpool doctors offer support for our homeopathy campaign
Last year we began a successful challenge to NHS Liverpool CCG’s decision to continue funding homeopathy in spite of the conclusions own consultations, which strongly advised an end to the service. The re-consultation is currently drawing to a close, and we expect to hear more in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, we contacted a number of …
Jan 27 2016
Greater Manchester Skeptics Society and Richard Dawkins Foundation donate £1,000 to Good Thinking
As a registered charity, we massively appreciate the support of the skeptical community and the donations we receive from individuals and organisations who want us to continue our work. With this in mind, we would like to thank the Greater Manchester Skeptics Society (GMSS) and Richard Dawkins Foundation (RDF) for their generous and hugely-appreciated donation …
Dec 03 2015
Princess Alexandra Hospital withdraws Reiki and Spiritual Healer role
In early October, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust posted a job advertisement for a part-time reiki and spiritual healer. The post would have involved working within the Breast Cancer Unit at St Margaret’s Hospital, Epping, and the salary for the position was to be funded via charity rather than by NHS resources. The advertisement quickly …
