Edelman has studied the dynamic shifts in trust for more than 20 years. Over the last decade our Trust Barometer study, which measures trust in institutions across 28 markets globally, has shown a deepening divide in trust levels between the elite minority in society and the disenchanted majority. In partnership with the Aspen Institute UK, Edelman UK has launched the Edelman-Aspen UK Trust Dialogue series, which aims to understand the causes behind the polarisation that we are currently seeing and critically, how its driving forces can be countered.

For each session, we are joined by an expert guest for each event and who seek to understand this trust deficit by identifying key issues for public and private institutions, exploring why mistrust is so pervasive and how trust can be re-built. We will focus on six key areas: media, economy, climate and the environment, business, politics and society.

Session One: Media

In session one, we were joined by Mark Thompson Former CEO, The New York Times Company and Former Director-General, BBC and Ed Williams President & CEO, Edelman EMEA. The discussion focussed on how trustworthy, consistent and fact-based information is critical to breaking the cycle of distrust and explored if our media models and platforms are able to support this. You can watch the full session below. Throughout the series, we hear from expert voices across a range of topics to help understand the reasons behind the divisions, and discussing how these societal problems can be addressed.

Session Two: Economy

In session two, we were joined by Miatta Fahnbulleh, Chief Executive, New Economics Foundation and Hugh Taggart, Co-CEO UK & Global Head of Crisis, Edelman. For developed economies, high levels of distrust are driven by high levels of income inequality. The discussion focussed on how strong economic growth fosters rising levels of trust and what the role for institutions is to rebalance the system and drive trust. You can watch the full session below.

Throughout the series, we hear from expert voices across a range of topics to help understand the reasons behind the divisions, and discussing how these societal problems can be addressed.

Session Three: Climate and the environment

In session three, we were joined by COP26 President and UK Cabinet minister, the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP and Ed Williams, President & CEO, Edelman EMEA. The discussion focussed on how institutions, businesses and communities can unite to forge a path to a clean global future where prosperity is delivered, but not at the expense of the planet. The global transition to a net-zero economy hinges on a strong and trusting relationship between business, government and society.

Throughout the series, we hear from expert voices across a range of topics to help understand the reasons behind the divisions, and discussing how these societal problems can be addressed.

Session Four: Politics

In session four, we were joined by the Rt Hon. the Baroness D'Souza CMG and Hugh Taggart, Co–CEO UK & Global Head of Crisis, Edelman. The discussion focussed on how distrust has become the default for the public's trust in government and explored why trust in our political leaders is broken. You can watch the full session below.

Throughout the series, we hear from expert voices across a range of topics to help understand the reasons behind the divisions, and discussing how these societal problems can be addressed.

Session Five: Society

In session five, we were joined by The Baroness Casey of Blackstock DBE CB and Ruth Warder, Co-CEO UK & EMEA Brand Chair, Edelman. The discussion focussed on how the UK is experiencing corrosive levels of political, social, and cultural division and how can our institutions work collectively to restitch the fabric of society. You can watch the full session below.

Throughout the series, we hear from expert voices across a range of topics to help understand the reasons behind the divisions, and discussing how these societal problems can be addressed.