The Un-Enlightenment with Gavin Esler | In-person

Edinburgh in the 1700’s was home to some of the greatest minds of the Enlightenment, aiming to advance learning and knowledge, emphasizing the use of reason and critical thinking. Fast forward to almost 300 years later and we are facing an opposite movement driven by misinformation and “alternative facts”.

As Scotland’s National Academy, the RSE operates on the motto of “Knowledge made useful”, but how can we trust knowledge in the age of misinformation? How do we sift through information that is making us less informed, and how do we prevent becoming “un-enlightened”?

Join us for an evening with journalist and broadcaster Gavin Esler, to answer these pressing questions, at a time when misinformation is more widespread than ever before.

This event is the annual MacCormick European Lecture at the RSE. The MacCormick European Lecture, originally known as the European Lecture was named in honour of Professor Sir Neil MacCormick FBA FRSE in recognition of his contribution to Scottish and European politics and his international work for the RSE. The lecture was re-named in October 2008, with Neil’s blessing, once the International Committee became aware of Sir Neil’s illness. The lecture was set up by the RSE International Committee, of which Sir Neil was a member and Convener. Each year the RSE, as Scotland’s National Academy, invites a prominent figure to deliver a speech on matter of importance to Europe.

Can't attend in-person? Watch online!

This is a hybrid event. This event page is for the in-person tickets only. If you would like to attend online, please book your tickets through the

SPEAKER

Gavin Esler

Writer and broadcaster

Gavin Esler is a writer and broadcaster, the author of five books of fiction and five non-fiction. He is the recipient of a Royal Television Society Award, a Sony Gold Award, and a “Lovie” award for his podcast series on Vladimir Putin’s Russia “The Big Steal.”

CHAIR

Professor Alison Phipps FRSE

Professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies, UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts

Alison Phipps UNESCO Chair in Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts at the University of Glasgow and Professor of Languages and Intercultural Studies. She was De Carle Distinguished Visiting Professor at Otago University, Aotearoa New Zealand 2019-2020, Thinker in Residence at the EU Hawke Centre, University of South Australia in 2016, Visiting Professor at Auckland University of Technology, and Principal Investigator for AHRC Large Grant ‘Researching Multilingually at the Borders of Language, the body, law and the state’; for Cultures of Sustainable Peace, and is now co-Director of the Global Challenge Research Fund South-South Migration Hub. She is Ambassador for the Scottish Refugee Council. She is an academic, activist, educator and published poet.

Important points to note

• This event is suitable for age 16+
• Privacy Policy: Please note that any personal data that is submitted to the RSE will be stored and processed in accordance with the RSE’s Privacy Policy. We will only use mobile numbers provided to contact you in the event of a cancellation.
• Filming: Livestreaming and 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. Recorded events will be made available on the RSE YouTube channel.
• Covid-19: If you would like to wear a face mask, please feel comfortable to do so at our events. Please be mindful of other participants and stay at home if you have Covid symptoms or have tested positive for Covid-19.

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.

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 Public Engagement team on [email protected]

Newsletter

If you would like to receive information from the RSE on forthcoming events and activities, including our Newsletter, please subscribe here: https://rse.org.uk/subscribe/

Please visit the RSE FAQs page for further details about venue and events.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher The Royal Society of Edinburgh