Reflecting on an important discussion held on 20 May 2026 at the University Social Responsibility Network (USRN) Online Forum #7, where researchers from VU Amsterdam contributed to the conversation on “Post-Truth and the Role of Science,” sharing insights on trust, expertise, and science communication in today's digital world.
The forum explored one important question: How do we know what to trust today, especially in a world shaped by social media and misinformation, where online platforms influence what people believe across different cultures, countries, and communities?
Prof. Jeroen de Ridder, Professor of Epistemology and Metaphysics, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities from VU shared insights on truth, expertise, and the role of science in today's “post-truth” society.
Some questions raised during the forum:
- How do online platforms influence what people believe and trust?
- Why are experts sometimes seen as distant or difficult to relate to?
- How can universities and scientists communicate in ways that people connect with?
The conversation also highlighted the importance of helping students develop critical thinking skills and learn how to evaluate information in a digital world full of opinions and misinformation. The session reminded us that science is not only about research and facts, it is also about trust, communication, and open dialogue with society. In this sense, disinformation can be seen as a symptom rather than a cause. Distinguishing misleading information from what is not misleading is often difficult to do, as this is also related to the values and political views one holds. It is important to explain the research process in general and that "science is not a warehouse of final knowledge."
Three insightful speakers contributed to the discussion: Professor Jeroen de Ridder, Professor of Epistemology and Metaphysics at VU Amsterdam; Dr Inez Z. Ponce de Leon, Associate Professor, Department of Communication at Ateneo de Manila University; and Dr Wenting Yu, Assistant Professor, Department of Language Science and Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.