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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250522T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250522T203000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042601
CREATED:20250516T091425Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T091427Z
UID:10000273-1747936800-1747945800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Speaking Towards One Another Opening Performance
DESCRIPTION:Speaking Towards One Another project is created and performed by Stephanie Lamprea (soprano)\, Yuki Neoh (performer)\, Megan McArthur (performer)\, Oana Stanciu (video art)\, Jen McGregor (dramaturg)\, Anne Kjær (video dramaturg and performer)\, and Tim Cooper & Alistair MacDonald (live electronics). \n\n\n\nSpeaking Towards One Another is a series of interdisciplinary staged performances for voice\, live electronics\, video\, wearable performance technology\, and British Sign Language. The first full performance will be premiered in Inspace in May 2025 as part of a video and sound installation. \n\n\n\nThis unique opening performance will use live electronics to transform and digitise the singing and speaking voice\, and wearable digital technologies to transform British Sign Language into live sounds and visuals. The concert will be accessible to hearing and D/deaf audience members via visual interpretations of the music\, a live BSL translator\, and printed programmes with all texts spoken\, sung\, and signed in the performance. \n\n\n\nExhibition Details\n\n\n\nSpeaking Towards One Another installation is co-created by Oana Stanciu\, Anne Kjær\, Stephanie Lamprea\, and Yuki Neoh. It features multi-screen projections of ‘moving portraits’ and a music composition by Wende Bartley\, performed by Stephanie Lamprea. By exploring images of public identity\, gender performativity\, female presence\, expression\, and testimony\, the moving images seek to subvert the male gaze and become figures of power in the public space. \n\n\n\nDates: 23-28 May 2025Times: 10:00-17:00 daily  | Free/Drop-inLocation: Inspace\, 1 Crichton St\, Newington\, Edinburgh EH8 9AB \n\n\n\nAbout the Project\n\n\n\nThis project will feature two newly commissioned musical works by composers Laura Bowler and Amble Skuse\, and recent works by composers Rebecca Saunders\, Stuart Macrae\, and Tom W. Green\, setting texts by writers and artists Alwynne Pritchard\, Carol Ann Duffy\, Gertrude Stein\, Adah Isaacs Menken\, and Hannah Siddiqui. These works create a theatrical narrative addressing topics of women’s testimony\, language and the body\, gender representation\, and resilience within disability. \n\n\n\nThis unique opening performance will use live electronics to transform and digitise the singing and speaking voice\, and wearable digital technologies to transform British Sign Language into live sounds and visuals. The concert will be accessible to hearing and D/deaf audience members via visual interpretations of the music\, a live BSL translator\, and printed programmes with all texts spoken\, sung\, and signed in the performance.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/speaking-towards-one-another-opening-performance/
LOCATION:Inspace\, 1 Crichton Street\, Edinburgh\, Edinburgh\, EH8 9LE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Performance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250605T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250605T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042601
CREATED:20250512T142444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250512T142446Z
UID:10000269-1749128400-1749132000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Power of Purpose: workshop series
DESCRIPTION:Led by Take Note and produced in collaboration with The Binks Hub and The Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR)\, The Power of Purpose workshop series is based on the simple idea that the ability of charities and grassroots social change organisations to clearly articulate their “why”\, their “what” and their “so what” is the bedrock for effective impact and long-term survival. In other words\, in a time of deep financial challenge with the pressure on funds and fundraising at an all-time high\, an organisation that can clearly articulate their “why”\, their “what”\, and their “so what” will have a greater chance of lasting and even flourishing in this climate. \n\n\n\nOver a series of three 1-hour online sessions aimed at Scotland-based organisations\, Take Note’s Lead Consultant\, Marianna Hay MBE\, will introduce attendees to the Power of Purpose approach. With over 15 years’ experience designing\, building and delivering high impact\, award winning arts and social change organisations and initiatives\, Marianna has developed the Power of Purpose series on behalf of the Binks Hub to share and scale the strategies she has learnt and deployed along the way. \n\n\n\nThese sessions are for: \n\n\n\n\nScotland-based small-medium charities and grassroots social change organisations\n\n\n\nAll roles but ideal for trustees\, senior staff or workers with responsibility for strategy development\n\n\n\nWorkers and leaders steering organisations through significant financial challenge and uncertainty\n\n\n\n\nThe initial three-hour sessions will cover: \n\n\n\n\n“Telling Your Story”: An introduction to Impact Map Making and honing your message\n\n\n\n“Understanding Your Impact”: What difference does your work make and how do you know\n\n\n\n“Making it Happen”: Setting your strategy\, building the infrastructure and raising the money\n\n\n\n\nAttendance at all three sessions is strongly encouraged but the ability to attend all three is not required for registration. \n\n\n\nThere will be an opportunity for organisations that take part to apply for additional follow-on support from Take Note. Find out more about this here: Power of Purpose – The Binks Hub \n\n\n\nIf you have any queries at all\, please contact binks@ed.ac.uk
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/the-power-of-purpose-workshop-series-2/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_1003880983_1174320833103_1_original.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250607T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250607T160000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042601
CREATED:20250514T152553Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T153555Z
UID:10000266-1749290400-1749312000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Meadows Festival: University of Edinburgh family activities
DESCRIPTION:Join staff from the University of Edinburgh and take part in some exciting activities for families. \n\n\n\nMeet a real-life scientist and get a (temporary) tattoo inspired by cutting-edge research! Play our Future Explorers game and build some imaginative inventions to solve future challenges. Discover how everyday food choices link to global challenges like carbon footprints and food justice with the Foodie Whack-a-Mole game! \n\n\n\nActivities are free and available on a drop-in basis. Transfer tattoos suitable for all ages (henna tattoos suitable for age 14+ only). \n\n\n\n\n\nRelated links\n\n\n\n\nhttps://local.ed.ac.uk\n\n\n\nhttps://efi.ed.ac.uk \n\n\n\nhttps://biology.ed.ac.uk/drp\n\n\n\nhttps://usher.ed.ac.uk/\n\n\n\nhttps://meadowsfestival.co.uk/
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/meadows-festival-university-of-edinburgh-family-activities-7-june/
LOCATION:The Meadows\, Melville Drive\, Edinburgh\, EH9 1JU
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3692-1-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250608T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250608T160000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250514T152527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250521T154623Z
UID:10000267-1749380400-1749398400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Meadows Festival: University of Edinburgh family activities
DESCRIPTION:Join staff from the University of Edinburgh and take part in some exciting activities for families. \n\n\n\nMeet a real-life scientist and get a (temporary) tattoo inspired by cutting-edge research! Play our Future Explorers game and build some imaginative inventions to solve future challenges. Discover how everyday food choices link to global challenges like carbon footprints and food justice with the Foodie Whack-a-Mole game! \n\n\n\nActivities are free and available on a drop-in basis. Transfer tattoos suitable for all ages (henna tattoos suitable for age 14+ only). \n\n\n\n\n\nRelated links\n\n\n\n\nhttps://local.ed.ac.uk\n\n\n\nhttps://efi.ed.ac.uk \n\n\n\nhttps://biology.ed.ac.uk/drp\n\n\n\nhttps://usher.ed.ac.uk/\n\n\n\nhttps://meadowsfestival.co.uk/
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/meadows-festival-university-of-edinburgh-family-activities-8-june/
LOCATION:The Meadows\, Melville Drive\, Edinburgh\, EH9 1JU
CATEGORIES:Community Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3692-scaled.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250612T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250612T153000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250515T130004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250605T144700Z
UID:10000272-1749720600-1749742200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:How Revolutionary is AI? International Digital Futures Network Summer Symposium
DESCRIPTION:Just how revolutionary is the AI revolution? And to what extent will it change the world around us? This year’s International Digital Futures Network Summer Symposium brings together experts in the field from across academia and industry to explore these questions and more over a day of talks\, panels and open discussions. \n\n\n\nCo-hosted by Edinburgh Futures Institute and Bristol Digital Futures Institute\, this year’s event will take place in the Futures Institute’s new home; a beautifully transformed\, historic building which provides a dynamic futures-focused space for learning\, research\, and innovation at the University of Edinburgh. \n\n\n\nSchedule\n\n\n\n09:30Arrival\, tea and coffee  10:00An introduction to the International Digital Futures Institute fromProfessor Marion Thain Director\, Edinburgh Futures Institute and member of the IDFN Steering Group10:10 – 11.10Evolution vs Revolution: How did we get here with AI?Professor Jane Hillston with Steven Connor  11:15 -12:15The 8 Foundational Principles for Genuinely Intelligent (and Useful) AIDr Marcus Weldon with Sandra Woolley12:15  – 13:15Lunch  13:15  – 14.15Generative AI: Distinguishing Hype from HallelujahProfessor Peter Flach with Sanja Milivojevic14:15 – 15:15Panel discussion  15:15 -15:30  Closing remarks\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Jane Hillston\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJane Hillston is a Professor of Quantitative Modelling\, Dean of Research Culture and REF\, Interim Co-Director of University of Edinburgh’s Generative AI Laboratory (GAIL)\, and former Head of the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh. In March 2007 she was elected to the fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and in 2018\, to the membership of the Academia Europaea. She is the recipient of the Suffrage Science Award for Computer Science and the RSE Lord Kelvin Medal. She was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 2022. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr Marcus Weldon\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarcus Weldon is the Emeritus President of Bell Labs\, the world-renowned innovation powerhouse that defined the current digital age.  He has currently helping a wide variety of companies with their AI strategies\, as well as acting as the Contributing Editor for AI for Newsweek magazine with the AI Impact series of interviews with the leading prognosticators\, pioneers and practitioners of AI across the globe. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Peter Flach\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nPeter Flach has been involved in AI research for four decades. He joined the Department (now School) of Computer Science at the University of Bristol in 1997 and has been Professor of Artificial Intelligence since 2003. An internationally leading scholar in the evaluation and improvement of machine learning models\, he has also published on mining highly structured data\, on knowledge-driven and explainable AI\, and on the methodology of data science. His books include Simply Logical: Intelligent Reasoning by Example (John Wiley\, 1994; interactive online edition\, 2022) and Machine Learning: the Art and Science of Algorithms that Make Sense of Data (Cambridge University Press\, 2012). From 2010 until 2020\, Prof Flach was Editor-in-Chief of the Machine Learning journal. He is a founding board member\, previous President and current Vice-President of the European Association for Data Science. He is a Fellow of the European Lab for Learning and Intelligent Systems and of the European Association for Artificial Intelligence. He was the founding director of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Interactive Artificial Intelligence\, and currently directs the UKRI AI Centre for Doctoral Training in Practice-Oriented Artificial Intelligence. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis event is co-hosted by Edinburgh Futures Institute and Bristol Digital Futures Institute.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/how-revolutionary-is-ai-international-digital-futures-network-summer-symposium/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Symposium
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Full-Front-Centre-Main-Entrance-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250617T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250617T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250512T142628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250512T142631Z
UID:10000270-1750165200-1750168800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Power of Purpose: workshop series
DESCRIPTION:Led by Take Note and produced in collaboration with The Binks Hub and The Centre for Research on Families and Relationships (CRFR)\, The Power of Purpose workshop series is based on the simple idea that the ability of charities and grassroots social change organisations to clearly articulate their “why”\, their “what” and their “so what” is the bedrock for effective impact and long-term survival. In other words\, in a time of deep financial challenge with the pressure on funds and fundraising at an all-time high\, an organisation that can clearly articulate their “why”\, their “what”\, and their “so what” will have a greater chance of lasting and even flourishing in this climate. \n\n\n\nOver a series of three 1-hour online sessions aimed at Scotland-based organisations\, Take Note’s Lead Consultant\, Marianna Hay MBE\, will introduce attendees to the Power of Purpose approach. With over 15 years’ experience designing\, building and delivering high impact\, award winning arts and social change organisations and initiatives\, Marianna has developed the Power of Purpose series on behalf of the Binks Hub to share and scale the strategies she has learnt and deployed along the way. \n\n\n\nThese sessions are for: \n\n\n\n\nScotland-based small-medium charities and grassroots social change organisations\n\n\n\nAll roles but ideal for trustees\, senior staff or workers with responsibility for strategy development\n\n\n\nWorkers and leaders steering organisations through significant financial challenge and uncertainty\n\n\n\n\nThe initial three-hour sessions will cover: \n\n\n\n\n“Telling Your Story”: An introduction to Impact Map Making and honing your message\n\n\n\n“Understanding Your Impact”: What difference does your work make and how do you know\n\n\n\n“Making it Happen”: Setting your strategy\, building the infrastructure and raising the money\n\n\n\n\nAttendance at all three sessions is strongly encouraged but the ability to attend all three is not required for registration. \n\n\n\nThere will be an opportunity for organisations that take part to apply for additional follow-on support from Take Note. Find out more about this here: Power of Purpose – The Binks Hub \n\n\n\nIf you have any queries at all\, please contact binks@ed.ac.uk
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/the-power-of-purpose-workshop-series-3/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_1003880983_1174320833103_1_original.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250620T083000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250620T183000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250512T084003Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250512T090210Z
UID:10000265-1750408200-1750444200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:CreativeTech Scotland Gathering 2025
DESCRIPTION:Join us on the 20th of June for CreativeTech Scotland Gathering for an exciting day of cutting edge creative tech keynotes\, demos and panels with workshops and a closing reception with live improvised electronic music from Boardgame. \n\n\n\nOur aim is to bring people together from across the creative and cultural sector in every discipline to meet\, connect\, share know-how\, be inspired by new innovations and be amazed by how we each use creative technology to deliver our services\, products and audience experiences. \n\n\n\nView the outline programme to give you a flavour of the day\, from our keynote with Tupac Martir\, Satore Studios to a range of industry spotlights\, hands-on workshops\, and a showcase of creative tech demonstrations and lightening talks\, with a closing reception and performance with networking\, refreshments and snacks. \n\n\n\nThe event will be hosted on The University of Edinburgh campus across the Informatics Forum\, Inspace Gallery and the Student Enterprise Hub. \n\n\n\nAccess – Please let us know if you have any access or dietary requirements that would help you to feel more comfortable and able to join this event. This could include things like seating close to the front for visibility\, a information on parking or access to a quiet space. Please email engagement.efi@ed.ac.uk with any comments or questions. \n\n\n\nWe also have care vouchers available for those who would like this help to enable attendance please email engagement.efi@ed.ac.uk with your request or for more information \n\n\n\nDietary – We will provide catering for a range of dietary requirements. Please answer the questions at the booking stage to help us order appropriately and email engagement.efi@ed.ac.uk with any comments or questions. \n\n\n\nVenues\n\n\n\nInformatics Forum\, The University of Edinburgh10 Crichton Street Edinburgh EH8 9AB \n\n\n\nBayes Centre\, The University of Edinburgh47 PotterrowEdinburgh\, EH8 9BT \n\n\n\nInspace\, The University of Edinburgh1 Crichton Street Edinburgh EH8 9AB
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creativetech-scotland-gathering-2025/
CATEGORIES:Conference,Forum,Performance,Talk/Discussion
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250623T173000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250623T190000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250516T092857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250516T092900Z
UID:10000274-1750699800-1750705200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Who Owns the Future? Reimagining Education from AI to Abundant Imagination
DESCRIPTION:This public lecture\, hosted by the Centre for Research in Digital Education\, is part of the Stewart Alan Robertson Lecture Series funded by the Robertson Endowment. \n\n\n\nFrom automated decision systems in healthcare\, policing\, education and more\, technologies have the potential to deepen discrimination while appearing neutral and even benevolent when compared to harmful practices of a previous era. In this talk\, Ruha Benjamin takes us into the world of biased bots\, altruistic algorithms\, and their many entanglements\, and provides conceptual tools to decode tech predictions with historical and sociological insight. \n\n\n\nWhen it comes to AI\, Ruha shifts our focus from the dystopian and utopian narratives we are sold\, to a sober reckoning with the way these tools are already a part of our lives. In so doing\, she considers how higher education is ground zero for reimagining and retooling the default settings of technology and society. \n\n\n\nEvent Timings\n\n\n\nDrinks Reception (EFI Room 2.55) – 5pm – 5.30pm \n\n\n\nPresentation followed by Q&A – 5.30pm – 7pm \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biography\n\n\n\nRuha Benjamin is Alexander Stewart 1886 Professor of African American Studies at Princeton University\, founding director of the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab\, and award-winning author of Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code (2019)\, Viral Justice: How We Grow the World We Want (2022)\, and Imagination: A Manifesto (2024). Ruha is the recipient fellowships and awards from the American Council of Learned Societies\, National Science Foundation\, Marguerite Casey Foundation Freedom Scholar Award\, President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching at Princeton\, and most recently the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellowship. For more info\, visit www.ruhabenjamin.com
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/who-owns-the-future-reimagining-education-from-ai-to-abundant-imagination/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Lecture
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Professor-Ruha-Benjamin_Sian-Bayne.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250625T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250625T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250616T112359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250616T112941Z
UID:10000275-1750842000-1750856400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Writing retreat sessions – The Binks Hub
DESCRIPTION:“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.”— E.L. Doctorow \n\n\n\n\nCome and join the Binks Hub for a writing retreat! \n\n\n\n\nThese will be relaxed sessions with writing prompts\, a chance to share and discuss writing goals and regular creative activities to break up the session. \n\n\n\nAll are welcome and we hope to have a mix of practitioners\, community members\, academics and students. You are welcome to work on any kind of writing project you have. There will be opportunities to share your work but no obligation to do so. \n\n\n\nMore writing workshops will take  place on 17 September 2025 and 19 November 2025 – booking for these workshops are available on the Eventbrite link.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/writing-retreat-sessions/
CATEGORIES:Writing retreat
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Writing-retreats-online_Kirstin-Lamb.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250724T173000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250724T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250711T081153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250711T142533Z
UID:10000276-1753378200-1753385400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Traveltech Meet up #3
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the third in-person Traveltech meetup\, hosted by Edinburgh Futures Institute. \n\n\n\n​Get ready for an informal evening of networking\, reconnecting\, and building the future of Travel Tech. \n\n\n\n​Whether you’re a startup founder\, developer\, marketer\, or simply working in travel and technology\, this is a chance to connect with others in the sector. \n\n\n\n​We’ll kick off with structured introductions to help everyone get acquainted. We also invite companies to share a quick 3 minute update on what they’re working on. \n\n\n\n​Most importantly\, this is an opportunity to shape the future of our meetups and hear about exciting opportunities emerging from the Travel Tech cluster. \n\n\n\n​Come for the conversations\, stay for the pizza\, beer\, and great company! \n\n\n\n​Please note that this event will be in ward 3.40\, which is a different location to the previous meet ups.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/traveltech-meet-up-3/
LOCATION:Ward 3.40 – Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Tourism & Festivals
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/1752053025732.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250809T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250817T210000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250716T103844Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250716T103847Z
UID:10000277-1754733600-1755464400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Words from the Wards: The Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:Last year\, through our Words from the Wards project\, we asked the people of Edinburgh to share stories about the former Royal Infirmary\, to honour the experiences and memories that people connect with the building’s previous life. Following the success of the project\, we worked with Edinburgh College of Art students to illustrate the collected stories. Join us to view the stories and illustrations side by side in our new festival gallery.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/words-from-the-wards-the-exhibition/
LOCATION:Anthea Bond Exhibition Room\, Level 1\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Exhibition
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250813T201500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250813T213000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250717T085327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250717T085329Z
UID:10000280-1755116100-1755120600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Future Library
DESCRIPTION:Norway’s Future Library is a powerful gesture of hope for a world beyond our lifetime. Every year\, for 100 years\, an author writes a new book to be placed inside its walls; every text remains unread until 2114. Join Future Library’s Anne Beate Hovind as she leads a conversation on personal and collective memory\, on past lives and legacies\, exploring how individual and cultural heritage makes for a stronger society. Plus\, find out the sensational writer contributing to the Future Library in 2026. \n\n\n\nSupported by Edinburgh Futures Institute.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/future-library/
LOCATION:Room 1.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Blue-Cloud.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250815T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250815T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250716T110036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250721T124543Z
UID:10000279-1755275400-1755286200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Utopia Lab
DESCRIPTION:Presented by Edinburgh Futures Institute’s creative projects team. Poet Jennifer Williams\, visual artist Jimmy Turner\, and academic Jo Balfour-Oatts invite you to consider impractical repairs of material objects. Exploring how we can repair objects with creative writing and sculpture\, we’ll investigate how artistic and embodied ideas and techniques can help us to imagine positive futures\, affecting present change. Please bring along a broken object with personal significance that you’d like to repair in this way.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/utopia-lab-2/
LOCATION:Room 1.52\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/utopia-eibf.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250816T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250816T170000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250812T123130Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T125101Z
UID:10000286-1755352800-1755363600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Repair Cafe Edinburgh
DESCRIPTION:Got something that’s broken? Want to try fixing it but not sure how? Repair Cafes are free community events where you can bring your item and volunteer fixers will guide you through your repair. \n\n\n\nNot everything’s fixable at our events – we’re limited by time\, spare parts\, safety\, capacity. \n\n\n\nIf you’ve got something that you want to fix\, email us at repaircafeedinburgh@gmail.com to confirm suitability and to reserve your place. \n\n\n\nFor more details\, visit Repair Cafe.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/repair-cafe-edinburgh/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Digital Maker Space and MS Teaching Studio\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/eyJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kIjpudWxsLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMzMSwiaWQiOjc3NDkyLCJyZXNpemVfbWV0aG9kIjoiY2VudGVyIiwicmVzaXplX3F1YWxpdHkiOiI5NSIsIndlYnAiOjEsIndpZHRoIjo0MzJ9-0c4d51e0a8b25c67d558925090a306a84548bedb.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250817T103000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250817T113000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250717T091657Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250717T091659Z
UID:10000281-1755426600-1755430200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Halle O’Neal: The Buddhist Approach to Healing
DESCRIPTION:Healing practices – physical\, emotional\, or spiritual – are part of what make us human; they’re also key tenets of Buddhism. They come in a wide range of inventive options\, including interacting with relics\, repairing broken objects\, even eating slips of scripture! Join Dr Halle O’Neal\, co-director of the Edinburgh Centre for Buddhist Studies\, for this special discussion on the myriad forms of repair and healing offered by Buddhism across history and cultures\, including for everyday challenges like illness\, childbirth\, and life after death. \n\n\n\nSupported by Edinburgh Futures Institute.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/halle-oneal-the-buddhist-approach-to-healing/
LOCATION:Spiegeltent\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Halle-ONeall-Copy.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250819T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250824T210000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250716T104654Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250820T124138Z
UID:10000278-1755597600-1756069200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Spark Exhibition
DESCRIPTION:Young people from the Alternative School at Spartans Community Foundation are back at the festival for the third year\, with their brand-new exhibition\, Spark. Writer in residence Owen Sutcliffe has been working with the young people to spark their imaginations\, ask big questions and get their creative juices flowing. Join us to see their funny\, provocative and sparky creative work.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/spark-exhibition/
LOCATION:Anthea Bond Exhibition Room\, Level 1\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Exhibition
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Blue-Cloud.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250819T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250819T210000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250812T121839Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T125552Z
UID:10000285-1755626400-1755637200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Repair Skills Workshop with EFI Makerspace
DESCRIPTION:Sharpen your technical repair skills under the guidance of Edinburgh Futures Institute’s Makerspace team. Learn how to use 3D modelling (in Tinkercad) and 3D printing as a method to repair or replace broken parts more cheaply than expensive replacements. Then turn to textiles repair\, using your hands and sewing machines to learn new skills! \n\n\n\nPlease note: If possible attendees should bring their own laptop devices for use in the workshop session\, a limited amount of devices will be available for use if you cannot provide your own.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/repair-skills-workshop-with-efi-makerspace/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Digital Maker Space and MS Teaching Studio\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/eyJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kIjpudWxsLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMzMSwiaWQiOjc3NDg3LCJyZXNpemVfbWV0aG9kIjoiY2VudGVyIiwicmVzaXplX3F1YWxpdHkiOiI5NSIsIndlYnAiOjEsIndpZHRoIjo0MzJ9-bcc3406d136e1742ac1eb0588284144002cb6d6b.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250823T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250823T170000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250812T124007Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250812T124401Z
UID:10000287-1755957600-1755968400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Repair Cafe Edinburgh
DESCRIPTION:Got something that’s broken? Want to try fixing it but not sure how? Repair Cafes are free community events where you can bring your item and volunteer fixers will guide you through your repair. \n\n\n\nNot everything’s fixable at our events – we’re limited by time\, spare parts\, safety\, capacity. \n\n\n\nIf you’ve got something that you want to fix\, email us at repaircafeedinburgh@gmail.com to confirm suitability and to reserve your place. \n\n\n\nFor more details\, visit Repair Cafe.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/repair-cafe-edinburgh-2/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Digital Maker Space and MS Teaching Studio\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/eyJiYWNrZ3JvdW5kIjpudWxsLCJoZWlnaHQiOjMzMSwiaWQiOjc3NDg4LCJyZXNpemVfbWV0aG9kIjoiY2VudGVyIiwicmVzaXplX3F1YWxpdHkiOiI5NSIsIndlYnAiOjEsIndpZHRoIjo0MzJ9-2bd4e449bbf78885c08c24158b4ae7d8d4bf658f.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250824T151500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250824T161500
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250717T100820Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250717T100822Z
UID:10000282-1756048500-1756052100@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Richard Susskind: Navigating the AI Revolution
DESCRIPTION:For Richard Susskind\, balancing the benefits and threats of artificial intelligence is the defining challenge of our age. Drawing on 40 years’ experience in the field\, his multidisciplinary book How to Think about AI: A Guide for the Perplexed demystifies AI’s ethical\, economic\, and social implications. Hear Susskind today\, cutting through the still-unfolding maze of uncertainty to show us how to think responsibly about our technological future. Chaired by Shannon Vallor. \n\n\n\nSupported by Edinburgh Futures Institute.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/richard-susskind-navigating-the-ai-revolution/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Richard-Susskind.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250909T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250909T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250729T132822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250729T132825Z
UID:10000283-1757419200-1757422800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Future of Digital Place
DESCRIPTION:Brought to you by Creative Edinburgh and in partnership with Edinburgh Futures Institute\, FutureGaze has been designed for those eager to explore the future of our creative industries and practices. \n\n\n\nHosted by Caroline Parkinson\, Director of Creative for Edinburgh Futures Institute\, each session features inspiring conversations with creative leaders who’ve driven innovation and transformation in their work—whether in business\, the arts\, academia\, or beyond. \n\n\n\nTogether\, we’ll explore what the future holds for the creative and cultural sector through their experiences and insights. \n\n\n\nSeptember’s Discussion: The Future of Digital Place \n\n\n\nAs artificial intelligence rapidly develops\, it’s starting to shape how we design\, plan and manage our cities and neighbourhoods. From using generative AI in the design process to applying data analytics to solve big challenges like climate change and urban growth — digital tools are playing an increasingly important role in shaping our built environment. \n\n\n\nIn this FutureGaze session\, we’ll explore what the rise of AI means for the future of our streets\, neighbourhoods and public spaces. We’ll ask: \n\n\n\n\nHow might AI change the role of the designer?\n\n\n\nWhat could future ‘digital places’ look like?\n\n\n\nHow can we make sure AI-powered planning is fair\, inclusive and reflects the needs of all communities?\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a forward-thinking conversation about technology\, cities and the people who shape them. \n\n\n\nSpeaking Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nIan Gilzean\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAfter graduating from The University of Edinburgh’s School of Architecture\, he worked as an architect in public and private sector roles in Edinburgh\, London and Glasgow with a focus on regeneration and community empowerment. In 1999\, Ian joined the Scottish Government’s Architecture Policy Unit and was Chief Architect from 2006 until November 2023. During this period\, he had a 6-month residency at WHALE Arts in 2019\, supporting the development of the Wester Hailes Local Place Plan. \n\n\n\nHe then moved into the Scottish Government’s Digital Planning team to lead the Innovation and Digital place workstreams. He is currently on secondment from the Scottish Government as Head of Innovation and Digital Place at Architecture and Design Scotland. Ian has a long-standing involvement in architectural education and is currently an Honorary Professor in Architecture and Urban Planning at Dundee University. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCaroline Parkinson\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCaroline is Director of Creative at Edinburgh Futures Institute\, focusing on supporting innovation in data and creative technologies for the creative industries. Previously\, she has led her own consultancy business\, served as Director of Film\, TV\, Music\, Creative Industries\, Skills & Innovation in the early years of Creative Scotland\, and before that\, she was Director\, Scotland & Northern Ireland for Creative & Cultural Skills. \n\n\n\nHer early creative life included ballet and rhythmic gymnastics\, fashion\, singing in bands for over 30 years\, and photography\, becoming a professional photographer in 1999. She serves on the Board of Architecture & Design Scotland\, and for 8 years has served in a voluntary capacity as Strategic Director and Presenter of the MOVE Summit\, Scotland’s Animation and VFX Gathering. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Creative Edinburgh\n\n\n\nCreative Edinburgh is a registered Scottish Charity (SC052838) committed to helping creatives thrive. Through events\, career support and advocacy\, we bring together and help grow the city’s creative community\, providing a space for creation\, collaboration and connection at every stage of your career. Creative Edinburgh is supported by Creative Scotland as one of the Regularly Funded Organisations (RFOs). \n\n\n\nTo become a member of Creative Edinburgh\, click here.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/the-future-of-digital-place/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Creative Industries,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_1010195283_22386419628_1_original.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250917T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250917T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250821T082501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250821T082504Z
UID:10000288-1758099600-1758114000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Writing retreat sessions – The Binks Hub
DESCRIPTION:“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and learn as you go.”— E.L. Doctorow \n\n\n\nCome and join the Binks Hub for a writing retreat! \n\n\n\nThese will be relaxed sessions with writing prompts\, a chance to share and discuss writing goals and regular creative activities to break up the session. \n\n\n\nAll are welcome and we hope to have a mix of practitioners\, community members\, academics and students. You are welcome to work on any kind of writing project you have. There will be opportunities to share your work but no obligation to do so. \n\n\n\nAnother workshop will take place on 19 November 2025 – booking for this workshop is available on Eventbrite.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/writing-retreat-sessions-the-binks-hub-2/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/pexels-soufianlafnesh-31450537-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250927T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250927T160000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250731T150051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250923T112950Z
UID:10000284-1758967200-1758988800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Doors Open Day 2025 at Edinburgh Futures Institute
DESCRIPTION:Edinburgh Futures Institute is home to a vibrant community of futures-focused students\, researchers\, organisations and businesses working together to tackle the world’s increasingly complex challenges.  \n\n\n\nVisit us in our new home in Edinburgh’s former Royal Infirmary to discover how the Institute creatively brings together people\, disciplines and perspectives under one roof to develop innovative and data-driven solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges.  \n\n\n\nMeet our staff\, students and partners and discover how they are shaping better futures for all. Explore the building\, delve into our history\, browse displays and stalls and get hands on with drop-in activities for all ages.    \n\n\n\n\n\n\nProgramme\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLevel 0 \n\n\n\n\nMarketplace stalls | open all day \n\n\n\nPop in and meet some of the organisations\, staff and students who make up our vibrant community and find out more about what we do here with displays and hands-on activities.   \n\n\n\n\n\nBilingualism Matters\n\n\n\n\nBilingualism Matters is a social enterprise and University of Edinburgh spin-out\, leading an international network of over 30 BM branches worldwide. We connect research on bilingualism and language learning with the people and organisations who can put it into practice — from schools and community groups to policymakers and businesses. Our mission is to share reliable\, research-based information on the cognitive\, social\, and cultural implications of using more than one language.   \n\n\n\nOn the day\, our team will offer a series of table-based displays showcasing key facts\, research highlights\, and real-world stories from our global network. Visitors can explore evidence on how bilingualism works in the brain\, discover examples of successful multilingual initiatives\, and take away practical resources for supporting language learning in different settings.  Our friendly team will be available to answer questions\, share insights\, and connect you with opportunities to get involved locally and internationally.  \n\n\n\nwww.bilingualism-matters.org  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBlack Goblin Audio: The Future of Sound Design \n\n\n\n\nEver wondered how the immersive soundscapes in your favourite films and games are created? Edinburgh-based [and EFI Resident] tech company Black Goblin is pulling back the curtain with Thol\, our revolutionary AI assistant for creative professionals.   \n\n\n\nThol is designed to eliminate one of the most time-consuming tasks in media production: sound spotting. Our smart technology watches video footage and creates a detailed list of sounds needed\, freeing sound designers and editors from hours of tedious manual logging. This allows them to focus on what truly matters: crafting the perfect audio experience.   \n\n\n\nVisit our stall at the Doors Open EFI Day to see a demonstration of Thol in action! We’ll be showcasing how AI is shaping the future of creativity and offering exclusive promos to all attendees. Come say hello and discover the next generation of sound design\, built right here in Edinburgh.  \n\n\n\nwww.blackgoblinaudio.co.uk   \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBookster\n\n\n\n\nBookster is a marketing software company specialising in tools for holiday rental professionals. We’ll be covering our journey from start-up to established software provider\, sharing the key milestones\, challenges\, and successes that shaped our growth. You’ll get an inside look at how our platform helps property managers attract more guests\, streamline their operations\, and grow their businesses.   \n\n\n\nOur team will be on hand to talk about the technology behind Bookster\, how we collaborate with clients\, and what’s next for our software. Whether you’re interested in tech\, tourism\, or entrepreneurship\, we look forward to welcoming you and giving you a glimpse into the world of holiday rental innovation.  \n\n\n\nhttps://www.booksterhq.com \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCentre for Biomedicine\, Self and Society\n\n\n\n\nThe Centre for Biomedicine\, Self and Society explores social and ethical aspects of medicine and health.  We examine many different issues\, from AI\, robotics and health\, how data are used\, what the future of medicine might be\, mental health\, sexual and reproductive health\, medical history and so much more.  We work across disciplines\, sectors and communities and really enjoy engaging widely.  Come and join us to hear more.  You can learn how to make a zine and discuss how these are used in communities or come away with a ‘Tattoo My Research’ temporary henna tattoo and hear first-hand from some of our researchers during the process!     \n\n\n\nhttps://usher.ed.ac.uk/biomedicine-self-society \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCentre for Investing Innovation  \n\n\n\n\nThe Centre for Investing Innovation is a strategic partnership between the University of Edinburgh and abrdn\, an Edinburgh-based global asset management company. Its mission is to transform the future of investing through pioneering research in sustainability\, thematic investing\, and technological innovation. By combining academic excellence with industry expertise\, the Centre develops responsible\, data-driven approaches that deliver long-term benefits for investors and society. Key initiatives include the creation of advanced AI tools to enhance investment decision-making. Members of the Centre’s research team will be available to discuss their work and its real-world impact.  \n\n\n\nCentre for Investing Innovation – Edinburgh Futures Institute \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCentre for Technomoral Futures   \n\n\n\n\nThe Centre for Technomoral Futures at Edinburgh Futures Institute will be hosting an ‘ask me anything about generative AI’ booth for Doors Open Days 2025. Come along to meet some of our researchers and ask them anything about generative AI! Could AI chatbots really take your job? How much trust should you place in ChatGPT? Should you worry about the environmental impact of the images you create with Midjourney or DALL-E? Will generative AI create a generation of people who can’t write essays or code? What about copyright? Come enjoy an engaging conversation on these questions and more. Learn about the Centre for Technomoral Futures and sign up to our mailing list at https://technomoralfutures.uk.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nData Civics Observatory  \n\n\n\n\nThe Data Civics Observatory is about the representation of people and communities through mixed\, experimental\, digital methods using a range of media\, platforms and data. We are a research collective dedicated to exploring and representing the character of places and the people\, institutions and infrastructures that make them. Our approach prioritises the technological\, material\, historical\, institutional\, and sentimental qualities of places\, how they are made and how they are experienced. Taking our lead from Edinburgh’s pioneering planner\, landscape architect and sociologist\, Patrick Geddes\, we designed the Data Civics Observatory to use innovative data and platforms\, methods and media to research space and place in new ways. Our aim is to work with people\, communities and organisations to research and represent their diversity and expertise particularly in vibrant and challenged areas. We focus on how data-driven innovations can shape the way we see and govern cities\, regions and nations.  \n\n\n\nData Civics Observatory – Edinburgh Futures Institute  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nData Education in Schools   \n\n\n\n\nVisit the Data Education in Schools stall and play interactive activities on data and AI! We are a UK and Scottish Government funded project within the Data-Driven Innovation initiative\, which addresses criticalities in the Scottish education system\, particularly challenges in ensuring that inclusive growth is at the basis of Scotland’s digital futures.   \n\n\n\nOur learning materials and activities are designed for primary and secondary learners in Scotland\, but everyone can try them! Can you train AI to distinguish rubber ducks from dice? Can AI figure out whether you’re dancing the Macarena or the Locomotion? Try Duck or Die\, Micro:bits Dance\, and other interactive activities.  \n\n\n\nhttps://dataschools.education/ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDesigning Responsible NLP CDT  \n\n\n\n\nNatural Language Processing (NLP) is an area of AI underpinning technologies we use every day\, including personalisation systems\, voice assistants\, translation tools and generative AI\, such as ChatGPT. But how do we make these systems work best for humans\, and ensure they are fair\, accountable and transparent?   \n\n\n\nAt the Designing NLP Centre for Doctoral Training\, we are training the next generation of researchers and innovators to design and build a more responsible future. Come along and meet some of our current PhD students\, and get hands on with their work\, including research into gender bias in Large Language Models (the technology behind ChatGPT)\, and research exploring children’s understanding of AI. You can also chat to members of the team and find out more about the wider training programme\, upcoming PhD opportunities\, how we are working with over 70 industry partners\, and other ways to connect to our work.     \n\n\n\nhttps://www.responsiblenlp.org/ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEducation Team – Edinburgh Futures Institute  \n\n\n\n\nMeet the members of our Education team to find out more about studying with us. Learn about our programmes\, challenge-led projects\, fusion learning\, and more! \n\n\n\n\n\n\nExecutive Education Team – Edinburgh Futures Institute  \n\n\n\n\nMeet our Executive Education team and learn more about the short courses and masterclasses we offer for professionals and sector leaders! Courses are developed and taught by leading experts from across the University of Edinburgh and delivered in partnership with the University of Edinburgh Business School. \n\n\n\n\n\n\nLothian Birth Cohorts    \n\n\n\n\nHow do your brain and thinking skills change as you age? How much is down to your genes—and how much depends on how you live? Join the Lothian Birth Cohorts team to explore how brain and cognitive functions develop over the course of life\, and why some brains appear to age better than others. Discover what science is revealing about lifelong brain health and take part in hands-on activities that demonstrate how we collect and analyse our data. Try interactive materials that show how the brain changes over time and learn about the methods we use in our research. Use Augmented Reality glasses to visualise brain ageing and compare 3D-printed models of healthy and less healthy brains—based on real participant data. Our team will be on hand to discuss how lifestyle may shape brain health\, and what we can do to protect our thinking skills as we grow older.  \n\n\n\nhttps://lothian-birth-cohorts.ed.ac.uk/ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Market Mind Centre (MMC)  \n\n\n\n\nOur mission is to establish New Economic Enlightenment spearheaded by the Market Mind Hypothesis (MMH)\, a heterodox economic theory. New Economic Enlightenment is about correcting and revitalising economics by reigniting—via teaching\, research\, and practical applications—the intellectual curiosity and innovative spirit of the Scottish Enlightenment\, personified by Adam Smith\, that reshaped society’s economic thinking. It aligns with EFI’s ethos of pioneering research and education that is challenge-led\, future-facing\, and interdisciplinary. The challenges of our modern world are interconnected because they have a common cause\, namely mainstream economics based on flawed mechanical worldview. By honouring the intellectual legacy of the Scottish Enlightenment while embracing MMH’s conceptual tools\, MMC promises to usher in a new era of economic thought and practices to tackle those challenges. MMC is supported by the Market Mind Foundation\, a Scottish educational charity.  \n\n\n\nhttps://www.marketmind.org/ \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nResearch Data Scotland (RDS) and Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR) \n\n\n\n\nWhen we go to hospital\, receive treatment\, or take exams\, data is collected. Researchers can access this data to help improve lives! You can never be identified… but how? Play with LEGO®\, match data together\, and talk to our team to learn more.  \n\n\n\n\nwww.researchdata.scot \n\n\n\nhttps://www.scadr.ac.uk\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy \n\n\n\n\nThe SCPHRP was established to promote collaboration across all sectors of the public health community in Scotland\, aiming to improve population health and reduce inequalities through evidence-informed action.   \n\n\n\nOur core objectives are:  \n\n\n\n\nTo identify key opportunities for developing innovative interventions that address major health challenges in Scotland. \n\n\n\n\n\nFoster collaboration among government\, researchers\, and public health professionals to support national programmes of intervention development\, implementation\, and evaluation. \n\n\n\n\n\nBuild capacity for high-quality\, collaborative research that informs policy\, programmes\, and practice.  \n\n\n\n\nAs part of our commitment to research and evidence-based practice\, we want to actively engage with the wider public to disseminate key outputs from our core activities—whether research- or teaching-based. This outreach supports informed decision-making and helps build public awareness of the health benefits of Urban Green and Blue Spaces\, and how these environments can be better used to improve the overall health of Scotland’s population.  \n\n\n\nhttps://health.ed.ac.uk/research/current-research/the-scottish-collaboration-for-public-health-research-and-policy \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy \n\n\n\n\nWe work with public health and community organisations to tackle tricky health and wellbeing challenges – the kinds of problems that can’t be solved by quick fixes. Our approach looks beyond individual choices to understand the habits\, surroundings\, and systems that shape how we live. By working step-by-step\, we can pinpoint what’s really going on\, co-create practical ideas\, test them\, and make sure the changes last. This process is called 6SQuID\, short for Six Steps in Quality Intervention Development. 6SQuID has been used to make progress on everything from healthier workplaces to climate action.   \n\n\n\nAt our stall\, you’ll explore the 6SQuID process in a fun\, hands-on way. Our activities invite children\, adults and families to help solve realistic dilemmas – learning to identify problems\, understand causes\, and choose solutions. It’s a playful introduction to problem-solving that reflects the same principles we use to deliver lasting\, evidence-based change in public health.  \n\n\n\nhttps://blogs.ed.ac.uk/scphrp/interventiondevelopmentraining \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Scottish Prevention Hub \n\n\n\n\nA co-directed national partnership between Public Health Scotland\, Police Scotland\, and the Edinburgh Futures Institute at Edinburgh University\, that takes a whole-system public health approach focused on primary prevention\, to support the reduction of health and wellbeing inequalities in Scotland.   We do this by bringing together research\, policy\, evidence and practice.  \n\n\n\nTogether we aim to:   \n\n\n\n\nUtilise data\, evidence and insights to promote and deliver a collective approach \n\n\n\nBuild a data collaboration \n\n\n\nBuild capability and capacity for complex collaboration \n\n\n\nTransform learning experiences through sharing\, inspiring and empowering  \n\n\n\n\nAs well as being a hub of activity and ideas\, we are also a physical hub\, with our base at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. This connects policing and public health practice\, public health science\, and academia.  This creates the conditions required for effective collaboration\, challenging silo working across our organisations by efficiently galvanising our collective assets\, skills\, and resources.  \n\n\n\nScottish Prevention Hub – Edinburgh Futures Institute  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLevel 1\n\n\n\n\nEast corridor | exhibition | open all day \n\n\n\n\n\nRecycling a Hospital: ‘Borne by the Walls’ Portrait Series\n\n\n\n\nPhotographer Gintare Kulyte has worked with local residents and former members of staff to produce this series of photographic portraits\, taken within the spaces of the former hospital. Presented alongside poems and prose written by the group\, the series reflects on the mark that the hospital has left in the minds\, bodies and life stories of the people of Edinburgh and beyond.   \n\n\n\nKulyte’s portrait series is an outcome of a wider interdisciplinary community arts project of the same name which aims to honour memories of the former hospital building on Lauriston Place\, now the new home of Edinburgh Futures Institute\, part of the University of Edinburgh.   \n\n\n\nThe personal connections\, stories and memories documented by the series are diverse – from those who trained and worked as medical staff\, to those who drew first breath in the city’s maternity hospital\, to those descended from individuals impacted by the hospital’s activities in the 19th century.  \n\n\n\nReflecting the scale of the former hospital site and its connections to the wider city\, the locations chosen for the portraits are symbolic and extend beyond the walls of the building into the wider Quartermile area and the Old Town.   \n\n\n\nAs the building looks to the future\, these marks of the past should not be forgotten.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout Gintare Kulyte\n\n\n\nGintarė Kulytė is an emerging visual artist from Vilnius\, Lithuania. Having gained much of her inspiration from documentary photography and film\, in her creative practice she is now particularly interested in exploring the boundaries between documentary and fiction. Gintarė also holds a Sociology and Psychology degree from the University of Edinburgh and is currently pursuing her Masters in Psychological Research here. This photography series was produced as part of her internship at Edinburgh Futures Institute’s Culture and Communities team. This is her first solo exhibition.   \n\n\n\n\n\n\nAnthea Bond Exhibition Room | exhibition | open all day \n\n\n\n\n\nWords from the Wards\n\n\n\n\nIn 2024 the Edinburgh International Book Festival asked the people of Edinburgh to share stories about the former Royal Infirmary\, to honour the experiences and memories that people connect with the building’s previous life. Following the success of the Words from the Wards project\, festival staff worked with Edinburgh College of Art students to illustrate the collected stories.   \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLevel 2\n\n\n\n\n\nRoom 2.20 | drop-in activity | open all day \n\n\n\n\nLothian Health Services Archive\n\n\n\n\nJoin us for a delve into the past of the Edinburgh Futures Institute and explore life as a patient or member of staff at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh through a display of material from our archive and collection of digital photographs.   \n\n\n\nWhat did the building used to look like?  What was it like to be a patient or train as a nurse at the hospital? What was the food like?  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage credit: Lothian Health Services Archive\, University of Edinburgh\n\n\n\n   \n\n\n\nLothian Health Services Archive holds the historically important local (Edinburgh and the Lothians) records of NHS hospitals and other health-related material. We collect\, preserve and catalogue these records and promote them to increase understanding of the history of health and for the benefit of all. For more information contact lhsa@ed.ac.uk and visit our website https://www.lhsa.lib.ed.ac.uk/  \n\n\n\n\n\nRoom 2.35 | film screening | drop-in | open all day  \n\n\n\n\nCloses and Opens / Opens and Closes: a History of Edinburgh’s Futures\n\n\n\n\nSee a fascinating pair of documentary films exploring questions about city development\, our past and possible futures created by Liz McFall with artist filmmaker Sapphire Goss and the team at the Data Civics Observatory.    \n\n\n\nCloses and Opens: a History of Edinburgh’s Futures explores the history and connections between the Edinburgh Futures Institute’s new building and its former life as the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh; two buildings formed to address problems facing the city. Both were designed to be open to everyone but while the building itself was designed to isolate one kind of contagion\, its restoration as the home of EFI is meant to promote another\, a contagion of ideas to help us live with the future. But how do you see the future or\, for that matter\, the past?    \n\n\n\nThese questions were followed up in the film’s sequel Opens and Closes: the Future of Edinburgh’s Histories that premiered at EFI earlier this year. The new film centres around seldom seen Edinburgh – think gasholders\, shale bings and quarries – and pans out\, all the way to New York and beyond. It closes on the technodystopias we could all end up with without the new\, radically interdisciplinary methods and the pragmatic\, collective and organised action of concerned actors being developed at futures institutes all over the world.      \n\n\n\nPlease note this is an informal film screening and visitors are welcome to drop-in and watch for as long as you wish. Total running time 75 minutes. Most suitable for visitors 12+ (does not contain any content likely to offend or unsuitable for children). With audio soundtrack and subtitles.  \n\n\n\nData Civics Observatory – Edinburgh Futures Institute  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRoom 2.55 | film screening | drop-in | open all day  Room 2.55 | Screening and discussion sessions with Media Education directors Kate Deacon and Iain Shaw  | 11am and 2pm (1 hour)\n\n\n\n\nMedia Education\n\n\n\n\nDrop in and see a beautiful selection of films created by individuals and communities from across Scotland about the issues they face in their daily lives.    \n\n\n\nMedia Education is an award winning\, socially engaged filmmaking organisation with a permanent team of skilled artists and creative facilitators working across Scotland and the UK. Our main purpose is to use creativity and non-hierarchical approaches to build trust and collaboration so that people furthest from power can have the supportive space and the time to form their own arguments and apply their lived experiences for the changes they want to see for themselves and others. The films we create together help to set the agenda and are great conversation starters. Pop in to view the films\, come along to a Q&A session to meet the directors or stop by their stand in the marketplace for a chat.    \n\n\n\nPlease note this is an informal film screening and visitors are welcome to drop-in and watch for as long as you wish. Total running time 40 minutes in length. Most suitable for visitors 12+ (does not contain any content likely to offend or unsuitable for children). With audio soundtrack and subtitles.   \n\n\n\nhttps://www.mediaeducation.co.uk \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nGuided tours | departing from outside the main door overlooking Lauriston Place | 10:30am\, 12pm\, 1:30pm\, 3pm (45 minutes)\n\n\n\nPlease note places are limited and must be pre-booked via Eventbrite. \n\n\n\n\nGuided tours of Edinburgh Futures Institute\n\n\n\n\nJoin staff for an expert tour of Edinburgh Futures Institute. Discover how the transformation project to create Edinburgh Futures Institute breathed new life into the former Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.   \n\n\n\nTours will last 45 minutes – suitable for all ages. Places are limited and must be booked in advance.   \n\n\n\nBook now\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLevel 3\n\n\n\n\nRoom 3.55 | drop-in activity | 10:30am\, 11:45am\, 1:30pm and 2.45pm (1 hour) \n\n\n\nPlease note places are limited and must be pre-booked via Eventbrite. \n\n\n\n\n\nFutures Explorers family workshop\n\n\n\n\nStep into tomorrow at Edinburgh Futures Institute! Our new Futures and Design team is pioneering innovative approaches to tackle real-world challenges through the powerful combination of futures thinking and design methodologies. Join us for this exciting family workshop where imagination meets innovation!    \n\n\n\nParents\, carers and children are invited to embark on a creative journey exploring how emerging technologies might transform our world. This hands-on experience offers:    \n\n\n\n\nA fun introduction to futures thinking for all ages   \n\n\n\nCreative exploration through play   \n\n\n\nInsight into EFI’s Innovation Services   \n\n\n\n\nNo prior experience needed – bring your curiosity and creativity! Discover how futures thinking helps us navigate uncertainty and shape the world we want to live in.   \n\n\n\nPlaces are limited and must be booked in advance. \n\n\n\nPlease note children must be accompanied by an adult. Most suitable for children aged 6+.   \n\n\n\nBook now\n\n\n\nhttps://efi.ed.ac.uk/ecosystem/data-design-lab \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nseating area opposite 3.55 | drop-in activity | open all day \n\n\n\n\nFamily Playzone\n\n\n\n\nTake a break in our family area and enjoy some games\, books and colouring activities.    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nALL LEVELS\n\n\n\n\nExhibition on screens throughout the building | open all day\n\n\n\n\n\nBuilding Near Futures: Human AI Ensembles\, EFI Master’s Student Showcase\n\n\n\n\nView this inspiring showcase of bold ideas and visionary thinking! Students from the Building Near Futures course at Edinburgh Futures Institute present their future prototypes in a digital exhibition\, exploring how humans and AI can collaborate to tackle pressing societal and environmental challenges.   \n\n\n\nShort form videos guide audiences through near-future scenarios and inspire conversation on AI co-creation. Will these ideas spark real-world change? Come see for yourself and be part of the discussion.  
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/doors-open-day-2025/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Community Event
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251001T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251001T143000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250916T145035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T085554Z
UID:10000291-1759312800-1759329000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Planetary Health is Public Health: Reimagining the Future Together
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an inspiring seminar on green prescribing and planetary health. \n\n\n\nThe Binks Hub and REALITIES are excited to welcome attendees to a half-day event exploring alternative approaches to health and wellbeing. Focusing on green prescribing and planetary health\, the first half of the seminar will open the floor to project teams to share their real-world insights into what’s working\, where the gaps are\, and how we can collectively move forward through community research and engagement. \n\n\n\nIn the second half\, we will hear from invited organisations who are paving the way in integrating green prescribing in their communities; offering their valuable perspectives on how planetary health and local initiatives are linked. \n\n\n\nOpen to researchers\, health practitioners\, and community members\, everyone is welcome to connect and learn. \n\n\n\nImage credit: Milena Trifonova
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/planetary-health-is-public-health-reimagining-the-future-together/
LOCATION:Room 4.35\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T173000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250912T091327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250912T091329Z
UID:10000289-1759858200-1759865400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:EICC Live: Artificial Intelligence - Can Tourism Stay Human?
DESCRIPTION:Joshua Ryan-Saha is Director of Tourism\, Travel and Festivals at Edinburgh Futures Institute\, University of Edinburgh. He established Traveltech for Scotland to cement our position as a European leader in travel technology innovation. He has delivered AI and tourism innovation lectures and workshops to more than 400 industry professionals across Europe\, America and Asia\, advising tourism destinations on the use of AI. \n\n\n\nEdinburgh knows tourism’s double-edged sword and is the topic of endless debate. Is the relationship between visitors and local residents under strain. Noise\, house prices\, traffic\, and new developments have all at times attracted the ire of those who call Edinburgh their home. Yet this very tension makes our city the perfect laboratory for asking: what happens when you throw AI into the tourism mix? \n\n\n\nThrough interactive elements and real-world examples\, Joshua will navigate how AI is already reshaping travel\, from algorithm-curated itineraries to predictive crowd management. But as machines become better at planning perfect trips\, are we losing the beautiful accidents\, spontaneous discoveries\, and genuine human connections that make travel transformative? \n\n\n\nDrawing on his work around the globe\, Joshua will explore the uncertain future ahead. Will tomorrow’s tourists still get wonderfully lost? Can we harness AI’s power while preserving tourism’s capacity to surprise\, challenge\, and change us? \n\n\n\nHear how this technological revolution is unfolding in Scotland and beyond – and help shape what comes next. \n\n\n\nImage credit: Cat O’Neil
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/eicc-live-artificial-intelligence-can-tourism-stay-human/
LOCATION:Edinburgh International Conference Centre\, 150 Morrison St\, Edinburgh\, EH3 8EE
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion,Tourism & Festivals
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/future-travel-tourism-scotland-illustration-by-cat-oneil-scaled.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251015T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251015T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20251001T102043Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251001T102222Z
UID:10000293-1760551200-1760556600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:CTMF Flagship Lecture: Wisdom for an Artificial Age
DESCRIPTION:Join us for our Centre for Technomoral Futures (CTMF) Flagship Lecture\, where we will hear from Professor John P. Sullins (Sonoma State University) on\, ‘Wisdom for an Artificial Age.’ \n\n\n\nAbstract\n\n\n\nArtificial Intelligence has confronted philosophy in five different intellectual wars\, wars that consumed philosophers and other thinkers as the technology of AI advanced from a mere idea to the headline-dominating technology that it is today. AI technologies have had a disruptive history that even their proponents have found concerning. Professor John P. Sullins will review this history and explore the surprising role that human wisdom is playing to help us navigate the challenges of AI technologies and create a more humane future. \n\n\n\nDon’t miss out on this thought-provoking event\, taking place on Wednesday\, 15th October 2025 at the Edinburgh Futures Institute and online. Doors open at 17.45. \n\n\n\nProfessor Sullins’ lecture will be followed by a reception. \n\n\n\nThis event is free\, but tickets are limited. Please register if you plan to attend. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biography\n\n\n\nProfessor John P. Sullins\n\n\n\nJohn P. Sullins is Professor of Engineering and Computer Science at Sonoma State University and co-director of the Sonoma State University Center for Ethics Law and Society (CELS). He is coauthor of the book Great Philosophical Objections to Artificial Intelligence: The History and Legacy of the AI Wars (2nd ed. in 2026). His research includes AI ethics for security and defense as well as building ethical competency in robotics applications. He has published extensively on topics in the philosophy of technology\, philosophical issues of artificial intelligence and robotics. Professor Sullins is involved in industry and government consultation involving ethical practices in technology design and deployment. He was the co-author of IEEE Courses on Ethics\, AI\, and Autonomous Systems as well as chairing the committee on Affective Computing for the IEEE “Ethically Aligned Design: A Vision for Prioritizing Human Well-being with Autonomous and Intelligent Systems.” He also co-chairs the IEEE Standards Committee P7008 – Standard for Ethically Driven Nudging for Robotic\, Intelligent and Autonomous Systems. \n\n\n\nPlease note this is a hybrid event. Online joining instructions will be posted on the Eventbrite\, and sent to virtual attendees on the day of the event. \n\n\n\nImportant notice: This event will be photographed/recorded\, and images may be used for future marketing\, promotional or archive purposes. If you would prefer not to be photographed\, please let organisers know at the event.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/ctmf-flagship-lecture-wisdom-for-an-artificial-age/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Lecture
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251020T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251020T183000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20251009T111159Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T111202Z
UID:10000297-1760979600-1760985000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Giving Humanists a Helping Hand in HPC
DESCRIPTION:With the proliferation of LLMs\, more and more researchers will be able to utilize complex computational resources with less and less technical expertise. In the next few years\, this will cause an exodus of researchers away from personal computers to HPC (high-performance computing) clusters for their research needs. While many default to the easy\, well-advertised\, but eventually expensive services of Google (Co-Lab) and other tech giants\, they are often unaware of the free/highly-subsidized services available at their own institutions. This is only exacerbated by the fact that many HPC centers remain unaware of a burgeoning need for compute in humanities and social science disciplines. \n\n\n\nIn this talk\, Brad will focus on low-cost\, high-impact DIY strategies for integrating humanities and social sciences into academic HPC infrastructures. With a decade experience in HPC\, both inside and outside centers\, Brad has developed a variety of programs and projects to raise awareness of compute-intensive research in these disciplines\, and help connect researchers to the resources they need for their work. We’ll look at a variety of case studies to identify approaches that fit in a variety of different contexts\, and conclude by looking at some aspirational programs for taking the next step. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biography\n\n\n\n\n\nBrad Rittenhouse\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBrad Rittenhouse holds a PhD in English and is a Research Computing Consultant at Stanford Research Computing. He has published on C19 American Literature\, video games\, DH Lab Management\, and the Age of Revolutions. He’s worked in and around HPC centers since 2015.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/giving-humanists-a-helping-hand-in-hpc/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251021T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251021T133000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250917T090140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T090352Z
UID:10000292-1761049800-1761053400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Facilitating Futures-led Design Sprints
DESCRIPTION:Speculative Futures Central Scotland invites you to our sixth event\, a Lunchtime Talk featuring Pushpi Bagchi and Kyle Morrison from the Futures & Design team at Edinburgh Futures Institute. Over three years\, they’ve transformed how MSc Data Science students can tackle complex social challenges\, working directly with organisations including the Scottish Government\, Aegon\, and Young Scot. They’ll share what they’ve learned about turning futures frameworks into practical collaboration tools that deliver results under pressure. \n\n\n\nAgenda \n\n\n\n12:30 — Welcome & Introductions \n\n\n\n12:35 — Presentation: Facilitating Futures-led Design Sprints \n\n\n\n13:05 — Q&A \n\n\n\n13:20 — Close \n\n\n\nPresentation: Facilitating Futures-led Design Sprints\n\n\n\nPushpi Bagchi and Kyle Morrison will share how they’ve adapted the Futures Triangle framework for digital collaboration environments to support data science students working on complex social challenges. Drawing from their three-year partnership with The Data Lab Academy\, they’ll explore how digital platforms like Miro and Notion can serve as “digital scaffolding” to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration in time-constrained settings. The presentation will cover insights from their team’s work with over 100 MSc students across 13 Scottish universities\, demonstrating how futures methodologies can bridge analytical and creative workflows when tackling real-world challenges from organisations across the public\, private and third sectors. \n\n\n\nThis talk will be of particular interest to anyone working with interdisciplinary teams\, designing collaborative digital tools\, or exploring how futures thinking can enhance problem-solving in educational and organisational contexts. \n\n\n\nSpeculative Futures Central Scotland is programmed by Andthen and the Futures & Design team based at the Edinburgh Futures Institute. We are interested in hosting discussions about applied futures — we want to learn about how people are addressing long-term issues in their organisations\, from understanding the role of long-term thinking in policy design to understanding the challenges of using futures in large corporates. Speculative Futures Central Scotland is a component chapter of the global Speculative Futures community.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/facilitating-futures-led-design-sprints/
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20251015T125521Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T121227Z
UID:10000300-1761136200-1761141600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Traveltech/E-corner Meetup
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the next TravelTech Meetup\, hosted by the Edinburgh Futures Institute! \n\n\n\n​This month\, we’re switching things up with a lunchtime session. Our special guest\, Chris Carmichael from TUI\, will be joining us for a reverse pitch\, offering a fresh perspective. \n\n\n\n​Whether you’re a startup founder\, developer\, marketer\, or simply passionate about travel and tech\, this meetup is the perfect chance to connect\, share ideas\, and build new relationships. \n\n\n\n​We’ll kick things off with introductions to help everyone get acquainted\, followed by a series of 3-minute company updates\, a great opportunity to showcase what you’re working on. \n\n\n\n​Come for the conversations\, stay for the lunch\, and enjoy great company!
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/traveltech-e-corner-meetup/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T173000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20250915T124929Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T125019Z
UID:10000290-1761148800-1761154200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Future of Free (and Who Will Pay for It)
DESCRIPTION:Who bears the cost of free in our AI-accelerated world? The foundational promise of open source software and open content licensing — that knowledge and code should be freely accessible to all — faces a significant challenge in the age of artificial intelligence. AI has put a huge strain on both the “libre” and “gratis” aspects of free culture\, but of these twin pressures\, the cost aspect is the one currently pressing down the hardest. As AI systems increasingly rely on vast datasets scraped from the open Web\, open repositories\, wikis\, forums\, and other commonly (and commons-ly) available works\, the infrastructure costs of supporting these free resources are growing exponentially. What was once sustainable through volunteer labor and modest hosting fees now requires massive computational resources\, bandwidth\, and storage to serve both human users and the voracious appetites of large language models. \n\n\n\nThis talk examines the emerging tension between the philosophical ideals of open access and the economic realities of AI-driven demand\, lensed through the experiences we’ve had to date managing programmatic access to content from Wikipedia. The presentation will: \n\n\n\n\nReview the landscape of current approaches to this challenge\, from rate limiting and API monetization to corporate payment programs\n\n\n\nDig into the details of the approach we’ve taken to date at the Wikimedia Foundation in our attempt to balance these opposing forces\n\n\n\nConsider whether these solutions preserve or undermine the democratic promise of open knowledge\n\n\n\nIndulge in speculation regarding possible futures that could result from the choices we make to support free in this newly expensive environment\n\n\n\n\nSpeaker Biography\n\n\n\n\n\nLane Becker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nLane Becker is the President of Wikimedia LLC\, a commercial subsidiary of the Wikimedia Foundation\, the non-profit organization that stewards the free online encyclopedia Wikipedia. Wikimedia LLC runs Wikimedia Enterprise\, a software platform for organizations that wish to reuse Wikimedia content on their own sites & services. \n\n\n\nPreviously\, Lane was a strategist for 18F\, a recently-shuttered consultancy inside the Technology Transformation Services division of the US government\, working to modernize government digital services. While there\, Lane started and ran 10x\, a federal venture-style fund to invest in technology products and services that benefit the American public. Prior to 18F\, Lane worked for the nonprofit Code for America as their Head of Product. \n\n\n\nBack in his start-up days\, Lane cofounded Adaptive Path\, a pioneering user experience design firm\, acquired by Capital One Bank to serve as their innovation lab; Measure Map\, an online analytics tool acquired by Google that became the face of Google Analytics; and Get Satisfaction\, an online customer service tool acquired by the social media firm Sprinklr. He has worked with the Institute for the Future as a research affiliate in their Governance Futures Lab and also coauthored a book on continuous innovation practices entitled “Get Lucky: How to Put Planned Serendipity to Work for You and Your Business.” \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImportant notice: If you have any questions regarding accessibility\, please contact us at ctmf@ed.ac.uk
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/the-future-of-free-and-who-will-pay-for-it/
LOCATION:Room G.07\, Informatics Forum\, The University of Edinburgh\, 10 Crichton Street\, Newington\, Edinburgh\, EH8 9AB\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T042602
CREATED:20251013T100643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T100907Z
UID:10000298-1761841800-1761847200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Patrick Geddes and the Anarchist Strain of Town Planning
DESCRIPTION:Situating Geddes\n\n\n\nThe Data Civics Observatory is inspired by the work of the sociologist\, urban planner\, and polymath Patrick Geddes (1854-1932) and his pioneering ideas about the evolution of the city. But how can we situate Geddes intellectually\, culturally and politically to give context to this work? In this short series of talks we explore this question by placing Geddes in his cultural-political context and speaking to his enduring relevance to urbanism\, civics and ecological thinking today. \n\n\n\nAbout this event\n\n\n\nGeddes was part of an international network of radical and revolutionary geographers and communards. His work was both situated within the milieu of late 19th C Anarchism but went on to inspire thinkers such as Giancarlo di Carlo in Italy\, Colin Ward in England\, and Murray Bookchin in America through the work of Lewis Mumford. This talk explains how these ideas feed into contemporary practices of radical municipalism and ecological urbanism. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nMike Small\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMike Small is a writer and researcher working on a book ‘The Politics of Patrick Geddes’. In 2005 he contributed to Patrick Geddes: By Leaves We Live\, jointly published by Edinburgh College of Art and Yamaguchi Institute of Contemporary Art\, with text in Japanese and English. He previously taught a course on Patrick Geddes at the Centre for Continuing Education\, University of Edinburgh. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvent Chair: Liz McFall\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Liz McFall is Director of the Data Civics Observatory at Edinburgh Futures Institute and Personal Chair in the Sociology of Markets. She is an interdisciplinary sociologist with research interests that cross the social studies of insurance\, cultural economy and market studies. Her recent research explores historical\, spatial and infrastructural connections between institutional investment\, urban governance and everyday social life. This informs the Data Civics programme which draws inspiration from Patrick Geddes in its emphasis on using digital and experimental ethnographic methods to investigate the social\, political\, cultural and economic dimensions of civic planning\, governance and placemaking.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/patrick-geddes-and-the-anarchist-strain-of-town-planning/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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