Candour and communities | Talk

This Curious talk takes a deeper dive into some of the scandals, and how hard it is for ordinary people to get to the truth, explored in the Candour and Communities touring exhibition shown at the festival. The exhibition highlights some of the UK’s most devastating disasters and scandals over the last 100 years.

‘Candour’ means being open and honest in communication with the public, and a new landmark law could end the culture of lies and cover-ups. This exhibition shines a light on this new law, which campaigners have called ‘Hillsborough Law’, although it is officially known as the ‘Public Office (Accountability) Bill’. This law would require all public servants to comply with an ethical standard of conduct and to act with honesty, transparency and frankness.

Co-developed by the affected communities and the Centre for People's Justice, the events featured in this exhibition, talk, and their impacts, are described in the words of those who campaign for truth and justice, united in their commitment to see a legal duty of candour.

Hear more about the stories with speakers involved in some of the Scottish campaigns and dive deeper into the work done by those fighting for this transparency.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
• Event format: This event is a talk and will involve some speakers sharing talking followed by a Q&A. There may be some interactive parts of the event but you can just sit back and enjoy listening.

• Content warning: Candour and Communities deals with difficult and controversial subject matter in a sensitive and trauma-informed way. Great care has been taken to avoid the use of any gratuitous imagery and/or distressing or inflammatory language.

• Filming: Photography may take place at this event. Please let a member of the RSE Public Engagement team know if you do not want to be photographed.

SPEAKER

Professor of Human Rights, Equality and Justice, School of Law, University of Glasgow

Nicole Busby is Professor of Human Rights, Equality and Justice at the School of Law, University of Glasgow where she is based in the GO Justice Centre which drives social change through legal education and research. Nicole’s research and teaching interests are in equality law, access to justice and the domestication of international human rights law and she has published widely in these areas. She works with government and with civil society organisations to co-produce research of mutual benefit. She is a Core Convenor in the AHRC-funded Centre for People’s Justice which aims to improve law and lives through community-based research.

Candour and Communities is a digital, touring exhibition across the UK created by the Centre for People's Justice. Find out more about it here.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 5 − Sunday 13 September 2026!

Curious is Scotland’s annual festival of knowledge. Across its seven-year history, Curious has welcomed over 10,000 attendees into its yearly programme of talks, workshops, discussions and exhibitions – all covering different topics and subject areas. There’s no need for you to have any prior specialist knowledge before coming along, just bring your curious self! With plenty of events both in person and online, you can take part from anywhere.

You can check out the full programme of events here.

Accessibility

We aim to make events as accessible as possible. If you have any accessibility requirements or have any questions related to how we can support this event, please contact [email protected]. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website.

• Step-free access: Ramped access for visitors is available via 26 George Street through Lakeland. Upon arrival, please call 0131 240 5000 and a member of staff will meet you and guide you to the event. Please note that the entrance ramp has a steep gradient (1:12).
• Smaller lift: This event is on the first floor and the lift’s door has a width of 69cm and a depth of 104cm. This may not be suitable for some wheelchairs. You can find further details and images of the lift on our website.

• Wheelchair spaces: If you would like to book a space as a wheelchair user, please select the ticket type 'wheelchair space ticket' during the booking process. If this is sold out, please contact the Curious team on [email protected].

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