Lifting the lid on Hamish's unique world of battlefield expertise and humanitarian work, Chemical Warrior is a thrilling story of bravery and compassion.
Date: Friday 25 February 2022
Location: Cripps Auditorium, Magdalene College
Time: 4:30-5:30pm (Interview and Q&A) 5:30-6pm (Refreshments)
Tickets: Free registration required via Eventbrite.
Event Details
For thirty years, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon OBE (Bio Security Honorary Fellow at Magdalene College) has served and volunteered in conflict zones around the world. As the UK's leading chemical weapons expert, he built a unique first-hand understanding of how to prevent attacks and train doctors on the frontline - saving countless lives in the process. Hamish has unearthed evidence of multiple chemical attacks in Syria and continues to advise the government at the highest level, including after the 2018 Novichok poisoning in Salisbury.
In this event, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon will be in conversation with broadcaster and Sociology PhD Dr Saleyha Ahsan, to discuss his book, Chemical Warrior and examine the future biological threats and mitigation.
About the speakers
For thirty years, Colonel Hamish de Bretton-Gordon OBE has served and volunteered in conflict zones around the world. Hamish has unearthed evidence of multiple chemical attacks in the current Syrian conflict and continues to advise the government at the highest level, including after the 2018 Novichok poisoning in Salisbury. Hamish was formerly a British Army officer for 23 years and commanding officer of the UK's Joint Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Regiment and NATO's Rapid Reaction CBRN Battalion. He is the author of Chemical Warrior.
Dr Saleyha Ahsan is a broadcast journalist (BBC, Channel 4, ITV) and emergency medicine doctor. She is currently studying for a PhD with the Department of Sociology examining the impact of attacks against healthcare in armed conflict. Saleyha is a former British Army officer, having served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, and saw operational service in Bosnia assigned to the NATO Stabilisation Force, SFOR.
Dr Adam Coutts (Co-convenor) is a Research Associate in the Department of Sociology and a Senior Research Fellow at Magdalene College. He is current a Weatherhead Scholar at Harvard University.
This pre-launch event is intended to precede a flagship seminar series coming to Magdalene next academic year. The series convenors are Dr Saleyha Ahsan and Dr Adam Coutts.
