Our world has entered a new and dangerous political climate in which all our valued institutions are under threat: international law, free speech, international relations and democracy. Thomas Karat will pull back the curtain on the mechanics of deception, revealing how controlled narratives take root, why they endure, and what it takes to see through them. Karat is a behaviour analyst, investigative interviewer and non-verbal communication expert. He brings a forensic eye to the realities behind “manufactured conflicts” and “controlled narratives”. He studies the ways people bend the truth — not just in words, but in silences, gestures, and the stories societies tell themselves. His research focuses on linguistic deception-markers in high-stakes negotiations. This is the lens through which he looks at the political discourse, propaganda and media narratives we consume every day. DIRECTIONS Áras na Laoi (a section of UCC) can be approached from the Western Road, turning into Gaol Walk at Noodlee (take-away food outlet on a corner by traffic lights). Facing you will the old gaol (a large limestone building with columns, now part of UCC), and to the right of the gaol is the entrance to Áras na Laoi car park (plenty of free parking in the evenings). The room for the event is easily visible from the car park, and will be clearly identified by Palestinian flags and CPSC people milling around. We hope to see you there.