TRUST aims to conduct research and education on trust
To advance rigorous, evidence-based inquiry across disciplines on trust in human and artificial systems.
Trust Across Boundaries
Bridging Minds, Systems, and Societies
Human, Cultural, and Artificial
TRUST is a U.S.-based nonprofit advancing a transdisciplinary science of trust across human and artificial systems.
We bring researchers, technologists, policymakers, educators, and global partners together to understand how trust is formed, how it breaks, and how it can be strengthened — across individuals, cultures, institutions, and intelligent technologies.
Slogan and program names proposed to the Board, 13 Nov 2026
The Moment
Why Trust, Why Now
Societies today face unprecedented challenges to trust — from declining confidence in institutions to rapid transformations in artificial intelligence, global communication, and cross-cultural relationships. Traditional academic disciplines study trust in isolation, yet trust itself transcends psychology, neuroscience, economics, technology, and ethics. TRUST was created to bridge these divides.
Our Mission
From Convening to Communicating
TRUST's mission is to advance a transdisciplinary science of trust across human and artificial systems — connecting research, public dialogue, and emerging scholars.
TRUST aims to convene international meetings and dialogues
To bring scientists and stakeholders together at major convenings and through TRUST Across Perspectives, an interdisciplinary dialogue series between scientists and stakeholders (pilot proposed for 2027).
TRUST aims to communicate insights to society and policymakers
To translate research into public-facing dialogue, publications, and applied guidance.
TRUST aims to support emerging scholars and global partnerships
To foster fellowships, collaboration, and international research connections (planned).
TRUST TRACE · Provisional collection, 2019–2023 · not yet screened
39 in 100 mapped citations crossed from one research field to another.
The other 61 stayed inside their own field. If citations were matched to fields at random, keeping each field’s share of citing and cited links, about 79 in 100 would cross. These papers cite within their own field more often than chance.
Provisional figure from the 2019–2023 collection of 11,339 records. Counted: 31,751 of 81,570 citations between papers in TRACE. These are the 14% of references that point to another paper in the collection; the rest are not counted. Relevance screening is pending, and a citation alone does not show that research was integrated.
Four signals from TRUST TRACE
2019–2023 · experimental, not yet screened. Each signal answers a different question with its own denominator, so compare them over time, not with each other.
Across disciplinesResearch connections38.9per 100 mapped citations31,751 of 81,570 links
Trust in AIAI research connections65.6per 100 mapped citations1,117 of 1,702 links; 201 papers, provisional title screen
Across societyCross-sector coauthorship7.0per 100 assessable education-affiliated papers602 of 8,623 papers
Across countriesInternational coauthorship30.4per 100 country-assessable papers2,684 of 8,837 papers
Proposed program · for Board discussion, 13 Nov 2026
Evidence, Dialogue, and a Shared Day
One proposed cycle would connect them: a TRACE finding raises a question, a scientist and a stakeholder discuss it, and the outcome reaches readers through the newsletter.
Public trust surveys measure how people trust. TRUST TRACE maps how trust research connects — across disciplines, countries and institutions — and is developing indicators such as a cross-field connection score. These indicators describe research activity, not public trust or research quality.
TRUST TRACE
Tracing trust across disciplines: fields, connections and the papers behind them. Explore →
TRUST Across Perspectives
A scientist and a stakeholder on one question about trust in AI, moderated by Frank Krueger. The format →
Trust Science Brief
Each issue looks at trust research from a different angle, alongside that month’s dialogue. Get updates →
Trust Across Boundaries Day
An independently organized day on 8 August 2028. The concept →
Vision
Toward a Global Hub for the Science of Trust
TRUST aims to become a global hub for research, education, and dialogue on trust — connecting collaborators across continents through joint work, international convenings, fellowships, and public communication. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and technologically mediated, we work to ensure that trust remains a source of cooperation, stability, and shared progress.
Our Values
What Guides Our Work
Transdisciplinarity
Integrating science, society, and technology.
Global Inclusivity
Embracing diverse regions, cultures, and perspectives.
Responsible Innovation
Supporting trustworthy AI and human–machine systems.
Scientific Integrity
Rigorous, evidence-based inquiry and transparent reporting.
Clarity
What TRUST Is Not
Setting boundaries is part of being trustworthy ourselves.
- Not a single-discipline research institute — TRUST is a convening foundation; primary research happens in members' labs and institutions.
- Not a certification body — TRUST does not certify products, systems, or organizations as “trustworthy.”
- Not a consultancy — TRUST does not perform paid commercial work; its agenda is set by scientific merit, not by clients.
Leadership
Board of Directors
The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors of three to nine members serving three-year terms. The current Board has three Directors.
Frank Krueger, PhD
President
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Frank Krueger, PhD, is a Professor at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where he directs the SCI:FI Lab. His research integrates social psychology, behavioral economics, and social and computational neuroscience to study the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of trust, cooperation, and social cognition. He convened the inaugural T·R·U·S·T meeting in Vienna in 2023.
Lindsey Bertin
Secretary
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Lindsey Bertin is a doctoral student in the SCI:FI Lab at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, where her research examines the neuroscience of trust and social interaction. She serves as Secretary of the TRUST Foundation, supporting the Board’s governance, records, and member communications.
William G. Kennedy, PhD, Captain, USN(Ret.)
Treasurer
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William G. Kennedy, PhD, Captain, USN(Ret.) is an Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Center for Social Complexity at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He has been leading Agent-Based Modeling projects in the Center for over 18 years. His areas of interest are in computational social science, cognitive science, and trust.
Get Involved
Join the Global TRUST Network
TRUST connects researchers, policymakers, technologists, regulators, institutions, and civic leaders across continents.