Roots of Trust: how a forgotten artefact might redesign the future

Roots of Trust: how a forgotten artefact might redesign the future

What if we designed systems not for top-down control—but for human connection?

5.7k followers
By RSA Public Talks
5.7k followers
Lots of repeat customers 📈

Date and time

Monday, June 16 · 6 - 7pm GMT+1

Location

The RSA

The Great Room London WC2N 6EZ United Kingdom

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 7 days before event

About this event

  • Event lasts 1 hour

Roots of Trust: how a forgotten artefact might redesign the future

Monday 16th June 2025

18:00 – 19:00

RSA House and online via YouTube


At RSA House, trust expert and artist Rachel Botsman explores how design thinking and visual storytelling can rethink leadership, power, and trust systems. We often learn something new from studying something old.


Anchored in her 2025 London Design Biennale installation Roots of Trust, the conversation returns to a long-forgotten artefact: the world’s first organisational chart, drawn in 1855. From this intricate, organic diagram, we trace the enduring imprint of pyramid structures and hierarchy—and ask what new forms trust might take.


Expect light and shadow. Beauty and utility. Roots and branches. For anyone curious about how we might design our way toward a more connected, trusted society, this is a conversation not to miss.


Speaker:

  • Rachel Botsman, trust expert and artist


*Please note this event will be held at RSA House as well as streamed online - please ensure that you register for the correct ticket type to avoid disappointment*

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RSA Public Talks
5.7k followers
Lots of repeat customers

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