Beyond Fact or Fake: Rebuilding Trust in Science and Democracy
Dr. Jared Wesley, University of Alberta
Kayli Avveduti, Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations
Rachel De Vos, Alberta Municipalities
Our session explores how humanities and social sciences (HSS) and additional perspectives can help restore legitimacy and public trust in institutions in the midst of urgent challenges, including misinformation, political polarization, and disruptive and rapidly evolving AI technologies.
Framed by the Big Thinking Summit theme “Legitimacy at the Edge,” our session centres on how lived experiences and public trust has been shaped by colonial legacies and systemic inequities, highlighting practical ways to foster more accountable, participatory, and inclusive approaches to policymaking. Through an interactive roundtable featuring voices from academia, civil society, and First Nations, participants will engage in dialogue grounded in real-world cases and collaborative problem-solving.
Our session aims to generate shared language, surface cross-sector solutions, and inform our upcoming Beyond Fact or Fake public toolkit to support trust-building efforts across Canada.