From Black Lives Matter to the Pandemic, the ethics of AI and misinformation in times of war, a myriad of voices have entered the key debates of our time on social platforms while science and academia have becoming increasingly politicised and at times sidelined. Experts who engage directly with different audiences face huge challenges in communicating facts and truth in times of political polarization and conflict.

We invite you to join academics and public figures from both sides of the Channel to talk about free speech, confronting the colonial past, about the internet and hate speech, and about explaining complex issues in a meaningful way.

Come along to meet Annette Dittert, Christian Drosten, Chris Patten and many other influential experts for two days of exciting discussions and talks in Berlin. The symposium is organised by the Oxford/Berlin Research Partnership. The sessions will explore the issues surrounding Speech, Truth and Universal Reason; the Pandemic and Universities; Living and Working with AI; and Multiple Pathways into Diverse Publics. 

Professor Dr Norbert Palz will take part in the discussion on Truth-telling, cultural performance and literature on Friday 8th July, 10.45.

Day One: Thursday 7th July 2022

9.30 to 10.00   Opening remarks 
10.00 to 12.30  Session One: Speech, Truth and Universal Reason
10.00 to 11.00  Truth in an age of conflict
11:30 to 12:30  Confronting the past/legacies of Enlightenment
13.30 to 15.30   Session Two: The Pandemic and the Universities
16.00 to 18.00  Session Three: Living and Working with AI
18.00 to 19.30  Reception and buffet supper.

Day Two: Friday 8th July

9.15 to 12.30    Session Four: Multiple pathways into varied publics
9.00 to 10.00   The production and diffusion of academic knowledge
10.45 to 12.30  Truth-telling, cultural performance and literature