As an Exeter University graduate, Frank Gardner’s story hits close to home. He graduated with a degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies and later became the BBC’s Security Correspondent, specialising in covering Middle Eastern conflicts post-War on Terror since the September 11 attacks in New York. He continues to be a role model for journalists and activists today.
He continues to be a role model for journalists and activists today.
What makes Frank Gardner’s story so unique is the extent to which he took his work and his activism. While covering a story in Saudi Arabia in 2004, he was shot six times by al-Qaeda terrorists – he survived the attack and followed through on his work upon a speedy recovery. Proving further perseverance, his colleague Simon Cumbers was shot dead at the same time – yet suffering a sudden loss did not stop Gardner from further contributing to research, still frequently reporting from places like Colombia or Afghanistan.
The attack left Frank paralysed in his legs; yet, he returned to news reporting with the BBC within a year, proving his resilience and dedication to the cause and to journalism more broadly.
Since then, Frank Gardner has reported on what it was like to become disabled suddenly while crediting individuals with different life-altering injuries and disabilities, as well as having advocated for increased accessibility for wheelchair users on commercial and long-haul planes.
Frank’s dedication to his work in the Middle East is partially due to his experience in the British Military force. Frank is a retired British Army Reserve officer, having received the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his work with charitable and welfare organisations.
Furthermore, Frank Gardner’s commitment to the BBC further showed when in 2012, despite the event being largely of his expertise, Gardner pulled out of hosting the Counter-Terrorism and Specialist Security Awards, concerned that this would harm BBC’s impartiality media image.
Coming from a diplomat family background, Frank Gardner’s published work includes the trilogy of the life and missions of a fictional MI6 operative Luke Carlton – “Crisis”, “Ultimatum”, and “Outbreak”. His memoir, “Blood & Sand”, tells the story of his Saudi Arabian tragedy and what losing his colleague Simon Cumbers taught him.
Most recently, Frank Gardner has attended and reported on the key takeaway points from the Munich Security Conference towards a peace deal in Ukraine, pointing out that Ukrainian and European politicians were not invited to attend despite showing their interest in the matter.
What makes Frank Gardner so inspiring to me, as an aspiring journalist, is the dedication he has to his work, regardless of what life throws at him.
What makes Frank Gardner so inspiring to me, as an aspiring journalist, is the dedication he has to his work, regardless of what life throws at him. I find it incredibly inspiring that someone who attended the same University as us can go on to do such great things despite facing such a tragic loss and event.
His work has been rewarded by academic institutions around the UK – with Frank Gardner receiving honorary degrees of Law from the University of Exeter, University of Nottingham, Staffordshire University, University of East Anglia, and the Open University.
Based on this, is clear that others beyond the field of journalism rightfully notice Frank’s commitment and bravery. I look forward to continuing to seek out Frank’s work on the BBC and through his published work – and I urge our readers to seek out Frank’s story and feel as inspired by it as I do!
