An exhibition exploring 100 years of scandals, failings and cover ups.

This exhibition is a self-guided exhibition. During opening hours between 12:00-18:00, it is a drop-in exhibit from Saturday 5 - Sunday 13 September.

About the exhibition

Candour and Communities is a digital, touring exhibition that highlights some of the UK’s most devastating disasters and scandals over the last 100 years, plus their impact on people throughout the country. Now, the exhibition is being showcased in Scotland for the first time at Curious to tell the story of how hard it is for ordinary people to get to the truth.

‘Candour’ means being open and honest in communication with the public, and a new landmark law could end the culture of lies and cover-ups. This exhibition shines a light on this new law, which campaigners have called ‘Hillsborough Law’, although it is officially known as the ‘Public Office (Accountability) Bill’. This law would require all public servants to comply with an ethical standard of conduct and to act with honesty, transparency and frankness.

Co-developed by the affected communities and the Centre for People's Justice, the events featured in this exhibition, and their impacts, are described in the words of those who campaign for truth and justice, united in their commitment to see a legal duty of candour.

For those who can’t attend in person, you can still explore the digitalised version of the exhibition here.

Talk

This exhibition has a talk alongside it on Saturday 5 September. If you would like to book tickets or find out more, you can check it out here.

Important points to note

This event is suitable for age 16+

Event format: This exhibition is a self-guided exhibition. During opening hours, it is a drop-in exhibit.

Filming: 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.

COLLABORATOR

Centre for People's Justice

The Centre for People’s Justice is a coalition of over 45 organisations from community, business, philanthropic, cultural, artistic, charitable, legal, government and university sectors. It is led by the University of Liverpool Law School and hosted jointly at the Universities of Glasgow, London, Sheffield, Swansea, Wrexham and Ulster.

Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the Centre pursues change-making research that responds to the public’s need and desire for fairer, stronger and more inclusive societies. Its work seeks to connect the public more closely with the ways in which the law is made, improve accountability for how the law is put into practice, and enhance people’s understanding and use of their legal rights.

COLLABORATOR

Professor Nicole Busby FRSE

Professor of Human Rights, Equality and Justice, School of Law, University of Glasgow

Nicole Busby is Professor of Human Rights, Equality and Justice at the School of Law, University of Glasgow where she is based in the GO Justice Centre which drives social change through legal education and research. Nicole’s research and teaching interests are in equality law, access to justice and the domestication of international human rights law and she has published widely in these areas. She works with government and with civil society organisations to co-produce research of mutual benefit. She is a Core Convenor in the AHRC-funded Centre for People’s Justice which aims to improve law and lives through community-based research.

About the Curious festival

The RSE’s free Curious festival of knowledge is back, from Saturday 5 − Sunday 13 September 2026!

Curious is Scotland’s annual festival of knowledge. Across its seven-year history, Curious has welcomed over 10,000 attendees into its yearly programme of talks, workshops, discussions and exhibitions – all covering different topics and subject areas. There’s no need for you to have any prior specialist knowledge before coming along, just bring your curious self! With plenty of events both in person and online, you can take part from anywhere.

You can check out the full programme of events here.

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 curious@theRSE.org.uk. Accessibility information for the RSE building can be found on our website.

Step-free access: Ramped access for visitors is available via 26 George Street through Lakeland. Upon arrival, please call 0131 240 5000 and a member of staff will meet you and guide you to the event. Please note that the entrance ramp has a steep gradient (1:12).

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