The Age of Mistrust?

In an era rife with misinformation, political tension and the rise of AI, are we living in an Age of Mistrust? And if so, what can we do about it?

Explore how the latest humanities and social sciences research can help us confront some of the biggest issues of our time. How can we recognise misinformation? How can we build trust in society? and how can the past help us build a better future?

What is...?

Our 'What is...?' blog series aims to provide accessible, engaging introductions to the fascinating subjects represented by the British Academy. Find out more about how the humanities and social sciences can help us in an age of mistrust.

Futuristic visions

Blog

If robots steal our jobs, will they also take out our trash? The potential impact of automation on domestic housework and care wor

Dr Ekaterina Hertog and Helena Hollis explain the potential impact of AI automation on domestic labour and care work.

Blog

Unfair to Androids? A history of androids on screen

Professor Ian Christie FBA discusses androids in fiction and our perception of them.

Blog

AI, interdependencies and the future of work

Helena Hollis and Sir Alan Wilson FBA on how AI can be used to create a future of 'good work'.

Blog

The challenges of AI and the future of work

Sir Alan Wilson FBA discusses a world that is being transformed by vast volumes of data and perhaps above all, by AI.

Engage with the experts

Podcast

Leaders in SHAPE: Philippe Sands

Award-winning author, academic and barrister Professor Philippe Sands Hon FBA on his life and career with Professor Conor Gearty FBA.

Video

Ask the Experts: A New Political Landscape?

An exceptional panel of experts consisting of Sir John Curtice FBA, Claire Ainsley and Professor Ben Ansell FBA answer questions about the new political landscape.

Video

Why politics fails

Sharing insights from his book 'Why Politics Fails', in this 10-Minute Talk, Professor Ben Ansell FBA unpacks the challenges of democracy.

The use and misuse of data

How is our data being used? How does data impact our everyday lives and politics? How is our data governed? In a world where reams of data is at our fingertips, learn about how we can and should be questioning data, both in how it is collected and how it is managed.

The power of information

Video

Genocide and international law

Professor Philippe Sands Hon FBA explains the origins of the term 'genocide, its implications and consequences.

Video

Graphic novels for uncertain times

In this Shelfies video, Dr Dominic Davies discusses defining works that can help us to make sense of crises and uncertainty.

Blog

How the Iraq War led to a legacy of public mistrust in intelligence

Dr Jamie Gaskarth explores how the Iraq War was a turning point that led to mistrust in intelligence.

Video

Pandemics and protests

Meet the researchers based in the UK and USA who are investigating how the pandemic unfolded, the unrest that followed and why.

Blog

How the language of ‘fake news’ echoes 20th-century propaganda

Dr James McElvenny looks back at the language of 20th-century propaganda to understand the 'fake news' of today.

Video

10-Minute Talks: Donald Trump, Boris Johnson and warnings from Hannah Arendt

Professor Michael Billig FBA discusses the works of Hannah Arendt and the important distinction between fact and fiction.

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