Edinburgh Futures Institute

Edinburgh Futures Institute A futures-focused space for learning, research, and innovation at the University of Edinburgh. www.efi.ed.ac.uk

Edinburgh Futures Institute
Tackling the world’s biggest challenges within the economy, education and societies.

Today! Join the livestream of Day 2 events of our Future University programme, 18 September! The first event goes live i...
18/09/2026

Today! Join the livestream of Day 2 events of our Future University programme, 18 September! The first event goes live in 30 minutes 👇

▶️ Building the University of 2050: Leadership, Structure, and Strategy | 2PM - 3:30PM BST
Livestream: https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/building-the-university-of-2050-leadership-structure-and-strategy/

▶️ Future University: Work and the Next Economy of Knowledge | 6PM - 7:15PM BST
Livestream: https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/future-university-work-and-the-next-economy-of-knowledge/

After two months away, Venture Café Edinburgh's Thursday Gatherings at Edinburgh Futures Institute returns today, 17th S...
17/09/2026

After two months away, Venture Café Edinburgh's Thursday Gatherings at Edinburgh Futures Institute returns today, 17th September!

Venture Café’s flagship Thursday Gatherings – which are free and open to all – aim to bridge the gap between key players in Edinburgh’s innovation ecosystem and build communities that drive positive social impact.

Check out their upcoming Thursday Gatherings👇

If you're unable to make Day 1 of our Future University events programme today, join us for Day 2 tomorrow, 18 September...
17/09/2026

If you're unable to make Day 1 of our Future University events programme today, join us for Day 2 tomorrow, 18 September!

Day 2 events turn to Response: Leadership, Global Design, Institutional Futures, asking speakers to look beyond the current challenges in the sector to imagine what a university needs to be for its communities in order to stay relevant for the future.

▶️ When Universities Decide: From Collective Inquiry to Public Consequence | 9:30 AM- 12 PM
▶️ Building the University of 2050: Leadership, Structure, and Strategy | 2PM - 3:30PM
▶️ Future University: Work and the Next Economy of Knowledge | 6PM - 7:15PM

All events are free to attend. The first event on Day 2 is in-person only, while the two other events will be delivered in hybrid format.

Book now your tickets 👉 https://efi.ed.ac.uk/future-university/

Today! Join the livestream of Day 1 events of our Future University programme, 17 September! The first event goes live i...
17/09/2026

Today! Join the livestream of Day 1 events of our Future University programme, 17 September! The first event goes live in 30 minutes 👇

➡The Future of Research in an Age of AI, 10am-11:30am BST
Livestream: https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/the-future-of-research-in-an-age-of-ai/

➡Teaching, Learning, and the AI University, 2pm-3:30pm BST
Livestream: https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/teaching-learning-and-the-ai-university/

➡Universities and the Future of Truth: AI, Free Speech, and Power, 6pm-7:30pm BST
Livestream: https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/future-university-work-and-the-next-economy-of-knowledge/

Join the closing event of our Future University events programme this Friday, 18 September!Financial Times columnist Sar...
16/09/2026

Join the closing event of our Future University events programme this Friday, 18 September!

Financial Times columnist Sarah O'Connor draws on her reporting into the changing nature of work to explore what makes work meaningful, what risks we face as technology becomes embedded in everyday life, and what role universities should play in building a more human-centred economy.

🗓️ 18 September, 6PM –7:15 PM
📍Edinburgh Futures Institute + online
🎟 https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/future-university-work-and-the-next-economy-of-knowledge/

There's still time to book this free event happening this Friday, 18 September!As AI, demographic change, and economic p...
16/09/2026

There's still time to book this free event happening this Friday, 18 September!

As AI, demographic change, and economic pressure reshape society, what kinds of institutions will we need by 2050?

Join Vivienne Stern (Chief Executive, Universities UK), Jamie Bartlett (author, The People vs Tech), and Ben Wildavsky (author, The Career Arts) for “Building the University of 2050” – a session asking which traditions should be preserved, and which structures may need to be reinvented. Chaired by Professor Marion Thain, Director, Edinburgh Futures Institute.

🗓️ 18 September, 2PM –3:30 PM
📍Edinburgh Futures Institute + online
🎟 https://edin.ac/4oNUzEf

We are delighted to share the publication of Edinburgh Futures Institute’s 2025/26 Annual Report.The report celebrates a...
16/09/2026

We are delighted to share the publication of Edinburgh Futures Institute’s 2025/26 Annual Report.

The report celebrates achievements of the past year across four areas: Innovation, Research, Education and Convening.

It also includes an ‘Our year in numbers’ section with key figures that illustrate the impact of activities in the past year.

Read more and download the full report 👉 https://edin.ac/4xrbpvm

Edinburgh Futures Institute was delighted to support the launch of the Scotland-Massachusetts Bio-Bridge Programme on Th...
15/09/2026

Edinburgh Futures Institute was delighted to support the launch of the Scotland-Massachusetts Bio-Bridge Programme on Thursday 10 September.

First Minister for Scotland, John Swinney MSP, and Secretary of State for Scotland, Douglas Alexander MP, were at the event to announce the Scottish and UK governments' support for the initiative, which aims to create a link between companies in Scotland with academic, pharmaceutical and development expertise in the Boston and Cambridge areas of Massachusetts.

The Bio-Bridge Programme will see delegations visit each side of the Atlantic to promote learning, partnership, and investment. Massachusetts features world-leading universities, globally renowned healthcare institutions, pioneering biopharmaceutical companies, and one of the most sophisticated venture capital communities anywhere in the world, with the Boston and Cambridge innovation ecosystem becoming a global benchmark for turning research excellence into commercial success.

This evening was hosted by Venture Café Edinburgh, who run weekly gatherings for innovators every Thursday at Edinburgh Futures Institute.

📷 Images: Anna Moffat Photography

Just two days to go before our Future University events programme on 17-18 September! Leading speakers, including former...
15/09/2026

Just two days to go before our Future University events programme on 17-18 September!

Leading speakers, including former Director of AI Ethics at Twitter, Rumman Chowdury,
tech thinker and podcast host, Jamie Bartlett, award-winning author and higher education strategist Ben Wildavsky, public health expert, Professor Devi Sridhar, and award-winning finance journalist, Sarah O’Connor, will explore provocative topics including leadership, AI and the future of work.

Read more and book your tickets 👉 https://efi.ed.ac.uk/global-experts-set-to-reimagine-universities-of-tomorrow/

We’re proud to announce that our Shaping Young People’s Financial Futures Together work has been shortlisted for the Cha...
14/09/2026

We’re proud to announce that our Shaping Young People’s Financial Futures Together work has been shortlisted for the Changing Customer Needs Award as part of the 2026 Scottish Financial Services Awards!

The report, supported by the Compassion in Financial Services Hub and Young Scot, calls on banks, policymakers and financial providers to overhaul how they design products, services and education for young people.

Find out more about the report in this article we posted in May 2026: https://efi.ed.ac.uk/new-research-calls-for-a-rethink-of-financial-services-for-young-people-in-a-digital-age/



Winners will be announced on 29 October in Glasgow.

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