He also contributed on a regular basis to several magazines, including the Spectator.

He was often seen on television, or heard on the radio, as an expert in explaining science to the general public.

[5] Hanlon turned heads, including that of Ed West, when he abandoned his skepticism about global warming.

[6] According to the Daily Telegraph, this followed a visit to the Greenland ice cap when he saw the extent of the melt for himself.

Hanlon was married to Elena Seymenliyska, also a journalist, who works for Aeon (digital magazine).