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Jonathan Norton sends his warm invitation:

I invite colleagues and graduates to a T&R research seminar on Wednesday 18th February (Harrison 209 11:30-13:30). I’m working on setting up a cross-humanities research project looking into Trust and the Loci of Authority – a project seeking to understand the rapid decline of public trust in academia, science and journalism over the past 20 years. I will present some initial ideas to you, as far as I’ve formulated them. But I hope that the seminar will be a “brainstorming session” rather than a presentation of fully formed thesis.

We will be joined by Nick Sturdee (London), a journalist who has reported on Ukraine for the BCC for many years. Nick will present his reflections on the loss of trust in the mainstream media. We will also be joined by Sabrina Gröschel (Exeter), an alumna of CAHRT, who believes that this kind of project stands a good chance of winning a large grant from the DAAD in connection with its Promotion of Democracy charter. Sabrina sits on a DAAD committee in London and has encouraged me to define the project as soon as possible.

It seems to me that Classics, Theology and Religious Studies are particularly well placed to cast light on this rapidly developing situation. But I think that perspectives from across the humanities will be essential, as well as input from lawyers and journalists — hence Nick Sturdee. The project could easily become amorphas and unfundable. But I think that it could be honed to the point where it’s fundable. I’d really appreciate your input.