Events

We offer open and participatory events that showcase interdisciplinary work and impact and spark ideas, inspiration and debate. 

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Opens and Closes: the future of Edinburgh’s histories Premiere

Edinburgh Futures Institute, Level 0 Event Space 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

A film by Sapphire Goss, produced, written and narrated by Liz McFall. The screening will be followed by a discussion with special guests.

Free

David Farrier: Nature’s Genius

Edinburgh Futures Institute, Level 0 Event Space 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Life on Earth is changing; the question is, can we change with it? Can we remake the world to be fit for all life to thrive once more? In his new book Nature's Genuis: Evolution's Lessons for a Changing World, Professor David Farrier takes us on a profound journey into this ever-changing natural world, encouraging ... Read more

Free

Marcus du Sautoy: How Mathematics Shapes Creativity

Edinburgh Futures Institute, Level 0 Event Space 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Many of the artists that we encounter are completely unaware of the mathematics that bubble beneath their craft, while some consciously use it for inspiration. Our instincts might tell us that these two subjects are incompatible forces with nothing in common – mathematics being the realm of precise logic and art being the realm of ... Read more

Free

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Learning curves event season flyer

Learning Curves

Our Autumn 2024 programme of events explored the future of education through panel discussions, poetry readings, live music and performance, and deep intellectual debate and discussion.

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Power trip event season event flyer

POWER TRIP

Our Autumn 2023 programme of events explored leadership in all its forms – from the seats of power to the front lines of activist movements and even in our own workplaces.

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Love Machine event season digital flyer

Love machine

Our Spring 2023 programme of events explored the interconnections of AI and data with humanity through conversations, performances, and workshops.

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First Breath Autumn Event Season brand leader. Image of dandelion and umbrellas on orange background. Text reads: 'First Breath: Autumn Event Season'. Includes Edinburgh Futures Institute logo.

First Breath

Our Autumn 2022 programme featured more than 20 events exploring crisis, migration, displacement and equality coalescing around the theme of Climate Justice.

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"The production and intellectual content of your recent events has been fantastic! Thank you for the opportunity to attend and learn. This is probably the best event I have been to all year."

Event attendee, Love Machine Spring 2023

"Really, really impressed with Futures Institute events. Properly impressive speakers, and seamless technical management. Thank you for keeping them hybrid/online – it's a really nice way to keep in touch!"

Event attendee, Love Machine Spring 2023

"Amazing! I hope that Utopia Lab can ring in every event season, the dream space that you curate and allow to flourish is an important and novel lens that Edinburgh Futures Institute offers partners, students, staff, researchers and anyone with an interest in collaborative thinking and doing."

Event attendee, Love Machine Spring 2023

Our public events seasons are co-created with people from across the University of Edinburgh. If you'd like to contribute ideas for the programme please contact the events team.

Call for proposals

Meet the events team

Headshot of Alice Carr

Alice Carr

Events Co-ordinator
Headshot of Fraser Pringle

Fraser Pringle

Project & Events Administrator
Headshot of Ioannis Kalkounos

Ioannis Kalkounos

Programme Manager
Lewis Williams

Lewis Williams

Events Technician

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