A Crisis of Expertise? – Theodore von Kármán Lecture with Reiner Grundmann

Lecture by Reiner Grundmann, University of Nottingham; RWTH Kármán-Fellow

There is a common perception that in recent years, at least in Western societies, official expertise has entered a period of crisis with some even proclaiming the ‘death of expertise.’ The underlying causes and potential solutions are diverse, yet they seem to share a common thread, as outlined in a widely accepted standard view. This view asserts that in matters that are complex and policy-relevant, scientific experts assume a central position. Political decision-makers should heed these experts’ advice and ideally implement their recommendations.

In my talk I want to challenge this standard view. I will do this through an alternative conceptual framework which distinguishes between different forms of expertise, and puts them into the context of social change.

I will also argue that the notion of expertise being in crisis is unhelpful as it implies a temporary state of affairs that will either return to a prior, stable state of expertise, or, indeed, result in its demise. Expertise is in a process of reconfiguration. While official expertise faces challenges, not only from dissenting scientists but also from citizen expertise and AI systems, the impact is uneven across society. Overall, there is a growing demand for and supply of expertise, with a multitude of voices participating. Consequently, a return to a scenario where official expertise holds a monopoly position seems unlikely.

If you would like to attend, please write a short email to events@khk.rwth-aachen.de