academic and think tank expert

[SuprunP]

In 2012 alone, for example, two books on Belarus with titles including “last dictatorship” appeared in English – one by academic and think tank expert Andrew Wilson and the other by former British ambassador in Minsk Brian Bennett.
(Belarus is no longer 'Europe's last dictatorship'; The Guardian)

Would you be so kind as to explain to me whether academic modifies expert or stands alone?

Thanks.

 

[entangledbank]

An academic is, more or less by definition, an academic expert - but we don't say 'academic expert', so your 'academic' is a noun on its own, parallel with 'think tank expert'.

 

[PaulQ]

Academic is a noun - someone associated with academia

– one by academic and think tank expert Andrew Wilson = – one by Andrew Wilson who is an academic and a think tank expert

 

[SuprunP]

Thank you entangledbank and PaulQ!