TRUTH IN A POST-TRUTH WORLD: Inside Bellingcat with Eliot Higgins

Across much of the world, democracy is no longer simply fraying at the edges - it is suffering an epistemic collapse.

What we are experiencing is not just a political crisis, but a deeper breakdown in the basic conditions that allow societies to establish truth, debate what matters, and hold the powerful to account. Join Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat, a pioneering investigative collective known for its groundbreaking work in online open-source investigation into war crimes, corruption, and propaganda. From satellite images to social media posts, learn how Bellingcat pieces together real-world stories from data hidden in plain sight. Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at how investigative journalism is fighting back against authoritarianism — one verified fact at a time.

Eliot Higgins will be ‘In Conversation’ with Rob Dickinson, and he will also be signing copies of his bestselling book, We Are Bellingcat, which will be available to purchase on the night.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Eliot Higgins is a citizen journalist who gained early recognition for exposing weapons use in the Syrian conflict and went on to launch Bellingcat in 2014, following the downing of MH17, where the group identified the Russian missile launcher responsible. The award winning collective have gone on to investigate such notable cases as the Skripal poisoning, the Christchurch shootings and the Jan 6th Capitol riots. Under Eliot's leadership Bellingcat has grown into a globally respected organisation advancing open-source methods in journalism, justice, and accountability.

CHAIR BIOGRAPHY

Rob Dickinson recently defended his PhD thesis on political misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, split between the University of Sussex departments of Psychology and Public Health. His research focuses on radicalisation, misinformation, authoritarianism, economics, and the contemporary American far-right. He is the founder of the FRAMES project (Far-right Radicalisation in Alternative Media Sources) which examines how the far-right is manipulating new media sources to misinform and radicalise the American public.

Thinking of coming with friends? Why not add to your special night out and enjoy the show in the comfort of a private booth and table. Booths are available for 4, 5 & 6 people. See the 'BOOK A BOOTH' options in the ticket sale section.

• DOORS OPEN: 7:00pm
• TALK STARTS: 7:30pm
• AUDIENCE Q&A: 8:30pm
• BOOK SIGNING: 9:00pm (Books available to purchase on the night)