Speaker: Irving Huerta (Cambridge Digital Humanities)

Based on a framework originally proposed for the practice of investigative journalism, this lecture will present some of the main challenges of undertaking investigations in the digital age, and in opposition to them, alternatives to produce a transformative practice that truly serves the public interest.

Some of the challenges are: the seemingly relentless advance of surveillance capitalism, the incessant and overwhelming torrent of information, and the fetishisation of the image or the cult of seeing. Against this backdrop, the proposed framework adopts a spirit that radically embraces the transformation of reality and which is threefold: a turn to political action, a communitarian solidarity, and a humanitarian truth production.

This practice goes beyond traditional media outlets, by embracing other expertises — from the activist, to the scholar, and even the artist. However, it does not negate media power, but rather, uses it strategically to serve the purpose of the transformation of reality in the public interest.

The seminar Respondents are Christina Varvia, PhD researcher at Aarhus University and Fellow at Louisana Museum of Modern Art and Robert Trafford, Research Coordinator at Forensic Architecture and Chair will be Dr Annja Neumann (University of Cambridge)

About the speaker:

Speaker: Irving Huerta (Cambridge Digital Humanities)

Irving Huerta is a Research Associate and Data School Convenor for our two online Data Schools (scheduled for March 2022 and June 2022). His background is in journalism, collaborating with organisations like Forensic Architecture, the International Consortium for Investigative Journalism and others. He is interested in the intersection between politics, media, and accountability. His research revolves around the politics of uncovering wrongdoing (i.e. the struggles of its practitioners, the production of truth, and the transformation of reality). Irving holds a PhD in Politics from Goldsmiths University and has taught Political Communication and Investigative Journalism in universities and civil organisations such as the Centre for Investigative Journalism in the UK and Fundación Gabo in Colombia.

Tickets:

This event will be held virtually. All tickets are free and access details will be shared 24 hours before the event.

All tickets will come with the opportunity to participate via question submission during the Q&A portion of the panel.

Image credit: Forensic Architecture, 2017