SPIN (Secrecy, Power & Ignorance Research Network)
University of Bath: Brett Edwards
University of Bristol: Elspeth Van Veeren (PI)
Cardiff University: Claudia Hillebrand, Thomas Leahy
University of Exeter: Brian Rappert, Owen Thomas
Background
This community previously received Initiator funding for the project: South West Regional Centre for Secrecy, Security and Society Research
Given the rise of post-truth discourses (e.g. fake news, deep fake videos), conspiracy cultures, and revelations surrounding societal, corporate or state-level scandals (the #metoo movement and climate change denial, the cultural forgetting at the heart of Windrush and Grenfell, intelligence oversight failures and the Snowden-NSA surveillance scandal, the Panama Papers and ongoing development in US politics), there is an increasing need to discuss and understand the interconnections between secrecy/revelation, ignorance, and power.
This network’s wider importance therefore relates to a number of global challenge research areas, clearly through the focus on secure societies in terms of contributing to the protection of freedom and security of nations, society, and citizens. A greater understanding of secrecy and ignorance also connects to living in a digital world given the way in which digital spheres (e.g., online platforms, social media channels) enable and amplify secrecy and ignorance. Finally, the connection to social justice and inequality is apparent when considering how secrecy relates to minoritized identities (e.g. LGBTQ+, BAME, disabled people, immigrants, refugees), and the need for societies to develop in ways that are inclusive and reflective.
Project summary
The community used the funds to hold network meetings to share research in progress and develop the SPIN A-Z of Secrecy and Ignorance set of research outputs (publications, blogposts, case studies and grant applications). SPIN also used part of the award to set up a SPIN-GW4 Fellowship scheme which hosted 4 researchers from across the GW4. The network co-produced ‘The A-Z of Secrecy and Ignorance’ at We the Curious over the spring/summer 2022: an activity delivered to over 1,000 visitors encouraging exploration and curiosity around how secrecy, power and ignorance play a part in our day to day lives.
As well as expanding their wider network, over the course of the Generator award SPIN recruited a new postdoctoral research fellow and expanded the SPIN steering group with three more Early Career Researchers. The group has plans for further collaboration with We the Curious and other public engagement events with external collaborators are also being developed. Further grant applications and publications are also in progress.
