Edinburgh Futures Institute

A new futures-focused space for learning, research, and innovation at the University of Edinburgh.

Free online SHort course: DATA Ethics, AI and Responsible Innovation

Taught by leading experts in data science, AI, information law, science and technology studies, and responsible research and innovation

We are for the pathfinders, the inquisitive, and those who want to make our complex world better.

Study

Futures-focused undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education

Research

Support for interdisciplinary, data-driven research innovation

Engage & Innovate

Collaboration and innovation opportunities for people and organisations

Latest news and thinking

Featured News

Edinburgh emerging as key Traveltech hub in the UK

Data & AI ethics
View through two historic stone buildings, framing a green lawn and a wide path, with a tree-lined road and a gothic-style gatehouse in the background under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

A new report reveals the UK’s traveltech sector has reached record investment levels, with Edinburgh emerging as one of the UK’s key innovation hubs powered by advances in artificial intelligence (AI).

Featured News

£4.2m for new policing innovation centre

Public Services
Two police officers in high-visibility jackets walk through a crowded, brightly lit street at night, surrounded by people and colorful lights.

The University of Edinburgh will partner with three institutions to deliver Scotland’s only Policing Academic Centre of Excellence (P-ACE).

Events

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View full programme

“I really liked the panel chair, membership and venue. I appreciated the fact it was free to attend in person or online, making it very accessible.” 

Participant feedback from Learning Curves: Autumn 2024 season

Upcoming

We’ve moved into our new home

Edinburgh Futures Institute has moved into its stunning new home at the Old Royal Infirmary.

Brick clocktower and front entrance of EFI building.

Co-location opportunities

Find out more about co-location opportunities at The University of Edinburgh’s data-driven innovation hubs.

Co-location spaces at Edinburgh Futures Institute are focused on our four key sectors; creative industries, financial services and fintech, public services and tourism, travel and festivals.

Our sectors in focus

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Creative
industries

Financial Services
& FinTech

Public
Services

tourism, Travel
& festivals

“With a philosophy of delivering challenge-led, transdisciplinary, multi-sector collaborations that innovate responsibly, the Data for Children Collaborative, is a living and breathing example of what Edinburgh Futures Institute is all about – using novel approaches to build better futures.”

Alex Hutchison, Programme Director, Data for Children Collaborative

Discover more at Edinburgh Futures Institute

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Explore our ecosystem

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Learn about our approach

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Meet our writer-at-large

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Support the future


Follow us @uoe_efi

“The Edinburgh Futures Institute is an integral part of the University of Edinburgh and our future. It is an integral part of our commitment to the local communities in which we operate and for our place in the world. Recognising that the biggest challenges facing society are complex and multi-layered, and that insight and innovation often comes from bringing together expertise across different disciplines, the Futures Institute is creating a new environment for learning, teaching, research and engagement. It is doing so side-by-side with communities, business and industry and governments.”

Professor Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Edinburgh

Join us to challenge, create, and make change happen.

#ChallengeCreateChange