More than words with Professor Federico Faloppa

Professor Federico Faloppa is speaking at the G.10 Lecture Theatre in the Palmer Building on Wednesday 18 November, from 19:00 to 20:30. The talk is called More than words: the power of language to divide and unite, and it's exactly what it sounds like: a look at how the words we use can pull people apart or bring them together.

Faloppa is a linguist here at the University of Reading and one of Europe's leading experts on hate speech. He'll be drawing on real-world examples to break down how hate speech actually works, why it's so pervasive, and what it does to individuals, communities, and democratic societies. It's not just the dark side, though — he also looks at the other end of the scale: how language can be used to build understanding, respect, and a sense of belonging.

He's not just talking about this from a lecture theatre, either. Faloppa is an expert on preventing and addressing hate speech for the Council of Europe and serves as Scientific Director of the Italian National Network to Combat Hate Speech. He's worked with international institutions, NGOs, and local municipalities to turn research into practical strategies against discrimination, so the talk comes from a place of actual application rather than just theory.

The session is held in person at the Whiteknights Campus, but it's also livestreamed on the University's YouTube channel if you can't make it in. Admission is free, though you do need to book your place in advance. That puts it from 19:00 to 20:30 on the 18th of November, at the G.10 Lecture Theatre in the Palmer Building.