David Clarke

Dr David Clarke is Associate Professor in the Department of Media Arts and Communication at Sheffield Hallam University where he teaches media law and journalism. He has a Ph.D in Folklore and co-founded the Centre for Contemporary Legend at Sheffield Hallam in 2018. From 2008-13 he worked with The National Archives (TNA) as their consultant for the release of the UFO files created by Britain’s Ministry of Defence. His book 'The UFO Files' was first published by TNA in September 2009 and an updated new edition was issued by Bloomsbury in autumn 2012 to coincide with the release of the final tranche of files.

The companion volume 'Britain’s X-Traordinary Files' in which the author uncovers the secret official accounts behind legendary paranormal and extraordinary phenomena was published by Bloomsbury two years later. In 2015 Aurum Press published 'How UFOs Conquered the World – the history of a modern myth' which describes the author’s strange journey to the heart of the UFO phenomenon. Along the way David describes how the human will to believe turned the stuff of science fiction to the most enduring myth of modern times.

Images of UFOs and flying saucers drawn by people who have reported them to the MoD were collected by David for his book UFO Drawings from The National Archives, published by Four Corners Books in 2017. Full details of his previous publications and ongoing media work can be found on David’s blog Journalism and Folklore: http://www.drdavidclarke.co.uk