Edinburgh Futures Institute

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

Enrol in our 'AI and Generative AI for Leaders' Executive Education course

This flexible course provides tools and leadership skills to deliver innovation and lead in a digital age.

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

Politicians quizzed by pupils at Uni hustings

A panel of seven people sits on stage, speaking to an audience in a wood-panelled room. The audience is seen from behind, attentively watching the discussion. A banner with a flamingo image is visible on the left.

Councillors and representatives from parties standing in the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections have taken part in a panel event with school pupils from across Edinburgh.

Featured News

Childlight designated as University of Edinburgh Research Centre

A yellow and blue banner reads "CHILDLIGHT Global Child Safety Institute" in bold letters. The background shows blurred bookshelves, a bust, and people in a well-lit indoor setting.

Childlight Global Child Safety Institute, a leading global research entity which is part of Edinburgh Futures Institute’s ecosystem, has been formally recognised as a research centre within the University of Edinburgh.

Annual Report 2024/25

Read about the progress we’re making in our latest Annual Report 2024/25.

Download report (PDF)
Cover of the Edinburgh Futures Institute Annual Report 2024/25 featuring a colourful jellyfish illustration on an orange background, with contact details and social media icons at the bottom.

Join the conversation

Illustration of a rollercoaster shaped like headphones with alarm clocks as earcups. Three people raise their arms in the coaster. Text: "Futures Conversations Podcast. Listen everywhere" with podcast platform icons. Edinburgh Futures Institute logo.
Listen now

Upcoming events

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

Two people looking at mobile phone screens with financial data displayed

Financial Services
& FinTech

People working in an office

Public
Services

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tourism, Travel
& festivals

“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

Discover more at Edinburgh Futures Institute

people experimenting with virtual reality headsets

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


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

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