Conduct research and education on trust
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.
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.
What TRUST Does
From Convening to Communicating
Convene international meetings and dialogues
Bring scientists and stakeholders together at major convenings and through the TRUST Atlas bi-weekly series.
Communicate insights to society and policymakers
Translate research into public-facing dialogue, publications, and applied guidance.
Support emerging scholars and global partnerships
Foster fellowships, collaboration, and international research connections.
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.