Edinburgh Futures Institute

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

New
Futures Conversations podcast
EPISODE 3 - Laura cram: The Neuropolitics Research Lab

How does our brain explain the ways in which we make sense of the complex political worlds we inhabit? This question is explored in The Neuropolitics Research Lab, designed and developed by political scientist and Professor Laura Cram.

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 Blog

Welcome Week 2025 at Edinburgh Futures Institute 

A group of people serve themselves fruit and pastries from a buffet table set up indoors, beside large windows and stone walls, during a social or corporate event.

Each September, Edinburgh Futures Institute welcomes new minds—and new futures – setting the stage for a year of bold, interdisciplinary collaboration, both on campus and online.  

Featured Thinking

Calmer waters downstream 

Wellbeing economy
A close-up view of a shallow stream flowing over rocks, with water glistening in sunlight and creating ripples and reflections among the smooth, mossy stones.

Writer-at-large Katherine Trebeck reflects on why we need upstream actions, not downstream responses, to the crises our world faces today.

Join the conversation

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Listen now

Upcoming events






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

A DJ standing over his decks, red tint over image.

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

headshot of katherine trebek

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