The second Sir Harry Evans Global Summit in Investigative Journalism, held at the Royal Institute of British Architects on Wednesday 15 May, was established from the Sir Harry Evans Memorial Fund, a landmark partnership between Sir Harry’s widow Tina Brown CBE and her family, Reuters and Durham University.

The Fund was launched in honour of Sir Harry, a Durham alumnus who was famous for his fearless campaigning as editor of The Times and Sunday Times. 

He campaigned tirelessly for compensation for victims of the Thalidomide drug, exposed the cover-up of Soviet spy Kim Philby and was voted by his peers as the greatest newspaper editor of all time in 2002. Sir Harry died in 2020, aged 92.  

Truth Tellers 

Truth Tellers, the Sir Harry Evans Investigative Journalism Summit, brings together the world’s most dogged and diverse truth-seekers, both seasoned and innovative: unsung reporters who risk their lives and reputations, intrepid war photographers, digital data sleuths, relentless documentarians, and enterprising investigators in podcasting, publishing, TV, and streaming media. What they share is a moral commitment to the truth – not the sanctioned story, the acceptable version or the cosmetic spin – but the unvarnished account of what really happened.

The summit includes a full day of programming followed by a closing dinner. The invitation-only audience is made up of 400 editors, reporters, broadcasters, media leaders, and cultural and political influencers. They will leave the event inspired by the next generation of fearless investigators and enlightened by their new methods, tools, and storytelling innovations.

Honouring Sir Harry's legacy

The Global Summit was hosted by Tina Brown, Reuters editor-in-chief Alessandra Galloni and our Vice-Chancellor Professor Karen O’Brien.  

In her address, Professor O’Brien explained the Fellowship's aim is to create a network of fellows who over the years will support each other and share their experiences.

Professor O'Brien said: “We are so delighted to play a part in this Global Summit to affirm the special partnership between investigative journalism and universities, and to celebrate our shared commitment to evidence gathering and free inquiry.

“The values that Sir Harry Evans embodied continue to inspire students and staff and are as urgently relevant as ever.”

Find out more 

• Watch the Summit here 
• Visit the Summit's website
• View the Summit Speakers
• Find out more about the Sir Harry Evans Memorial Fund