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DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251015T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/John-Sullins-Flagship-Lecture-Eventbrite_Jordan-Watson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251020T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251020T183000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Brad_landscape_Emily-Allan.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251021T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251021T133000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Spec-futures-event.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/7.-Learning-from-Anywhere-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T173000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Wikimedia-Talk-with-Lane-Becker-1_Jordan-Watson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/30-Oct-Mike-Small-1920-x-1080.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251001T150224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T093551Z
UID:10000294-1761847200-1761852600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:AI in the City
DESCRIPTION:AI for Collective Intelligence (AI4CI)\, Architecture and Design Scotland (A&DS) and Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) are proud to host a public forum on ‘AI in the City’. \n\n\n\nJoin us for a broad and rounded discussion between expert panellists working within Geocomputation\, city planning\, smart city design\, AI integration and AI ethics. Moderated by Scottish journalist\, broadcaster and presenter Stephen Jardine. \n\n\n\nDo you want to know more about how AI will affect how our cities are designed and managed? How AI will impact our towns\, cities and rural areas? And what work is already in motion? \n\n\n\nThis event will give members of the public access to expert knowledge and the opportunity to ask the questions they most want the answers to. \n\n\n\nJoin us on 30th October and stay engaged with the influence of AI on city living\, building and planning; the challenges\, the opportunities\, the risks\, the rewards and the impact to communities living in these areas. \n\n\n\nAgenda\n\n\n\n17.30 – 17.55: Doors open for arrival18.00 – 18.10: Welcome by Professor Marion Thain\, Director\, Edinburgh Futures Institute18.10 – 19.25: Panel discussion and audience questions19.25 – 19.30: Closing address19.30 – Event End \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEvent Moderator: Stephen Jardine\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nScottish journalist\, broadcaster and presenter. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAlison Heppenstall\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSmart City Design Theme Lead\, AI4CI & Professor of Geocomputation\, University of Glasgow. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTom Wilkinson\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChief Data Officer\, Scottish Government. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCaroline Parkinson\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDirector\, Creative/Sector Engagement Manager\, Creative Industries\, Edinburgh Futures Institute. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeremy Doherty\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nEdinburgh Officer Leader\, Arup. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRaffaele Esposito\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCity Design Manager\, Glasgow City Council.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/ai-in-the-city/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Forum,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-in-the-City-Eventbrite-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251104T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251104T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251009T095359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T085945Z
UID:10000295-1762279200-1762284600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Technomoral Conversations: How Will AI Change Science?
DESCRIPTION:The Technomoral Conversations series brings together leaders\, creators and innovators from academia\, technology\, business and the third sector in a ‘fireside chat’ format to discuss futures that are worth wanting. \n\n\n\nChaired by the Centre for Technomoral Futures’ new Co-Director\, Dr Emily Sullivan\, this event will feature Dr Eran Tal (Canada Research Chair in Data Ethics and Associate Professor of Philosophy at McGill University)\, Dr Arfon Smith (Senior Fellow at Schmidt Sciences on the Science Systems team)\, and Professor Anna Scaife (Professor of Radio Astronomy\, University of Manchester). During this Technomoral Conversation\, we will hear from these experts on the impact of data driven machine learning and AI on science and knowledge production. \n\n\n\nThis event is a collaboration between the Centre for Technomoral Futures and Edinburgh Futures Institute. \n\n\n\nPlease note this is a hybrid 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/55594/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/TC-AI-change-science-2160-x-1080-px-for-Even_Jordan-Watson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251111T093000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251112T173000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251009T101822Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T121240Z
UID:10000296-1762853400-1762968600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Media Literacy in the age of AI
DESCRIPTION:Important note: Applications close on Friday 31 October 2025 (23.59 UK time) \n\n\n\nAre you curious about how artificial intelligence algorithms are shaping what we see\, hear and believe online? \n\n\n\nAre you interested in connecting with peers and generate solutions to increase digital agency and address disinformation? \n\n\n\nJoin us on 11–12 November for a two-day training programme exploring media literacy in the age of AI. \n\n\n\nThe British Council and Edinburgh Futures Institute are pleased to invite you to participate in a two- day training programme to explore media literacy and generate solutions to address misinformation and disinformation. \n\n\n\nWe are inviting young people aged between 18 and 35 who are passionate about leading change to work together in interdisciplinary teams and create solutions on how disinformation can be addressed. We are aiming to bring together emerging changemakers to critically engage with the challenges and opportunities AI presents in media\, public discourse\, and civic life. \n\n\n\nThis event is part of British Council’s Youth Connect programme\, delivered in partnership with the Edinburgh Futures Institute and Think Young. \n\n\n\nDownload this document for more information \n\n\n\nHow to apply\n\n\n\nTo take part in the ideathon\, complete the online application form by Friday 31 October 2025 (23.59 UK time) \n\n\n\nApply now
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/media-literacy-in-the-age-of-ai/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Training
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/BRITISH-COUNCIL_AI_Solas_800x450px_03102025-400kb-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251119T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251119T134500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251021T114619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T114621Z
UID:10000301-1763555400-1763559900@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Postgraduate Open Day: Sustainable Futures
DESCRIPTION:In this session\, we share Edinburgh Futures Institute’s innovative approach to learning and teaching and how our interdisciplinary programmes will help you graduate ready for tackling complex global challenges. During this presentation Programme Directors will also share with you the programmes that EFI offer\, in the areas of Sustainable Futures: Circular Economy\, Planetary Health\, Sustainable Lands and Cities\, Future Infrastructure\, Climate Change and Sustainability.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/postgraduate-open-day-sustainable-futures/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Information session,Postgraduate online open day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/global-challenges-cluster.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T091500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T101500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251103T103732Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T094338Z
UID:10000310-1763630100-1763633700@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Research Methods Reading Group
DESCRIPTION:Our popular reading group\, hosted by The Binks Hub and led by Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh\, is back for the new academic year.  \n\n\n\nWe are pleased to share the return of our creative research methods reading group!  \n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, after running throughout the 2024-25 academic year\, the reading group will return this semester. \n\n\n\nIf you are new to the reading group\, it is open to all and will focus on creative and artistically engaged methods for research.  The emphasis will be on practice and the application of methods.  We may invite participants to experiment between reading group meetings\, but this is not required.  You do not have to be an academic or a student to join this reading group\, but you should have an interest in creative methods. \n\n\n\nSchedule\n\n\n\nThurs 13th November\, 9.15-10.15Bradley\, Lisa and Ptolomey\, A. M. and Mirza\, Nughmana (2025) ‘From emotional interruptions to wilful disruptions: Zine-making as a post-qualitative method for locating\, articulating\, navigating\, and doing emotion in research’.Thurs 20th November\, 9.15-10.15Lupton D & Watson A (2022) ‘Research-Creations for Speculating About Digitized Automation: Bringing Creative Writing Prompts and Vital Materialism into the Sociology of Futures’ in Qualitative Inquiry 28(7): 754–766Thurs 27th November\, 9.15-10.15Matchett\, Sara & Mbasalaki\, Phoebe Kisubi (2025) ‘Precarious Landscapes: Theatre and Belonging With a Group of Sex Workers in Cape Town’. In: Mackey\, Sally & Ong\, Adelina (eds.) Performing Homescapes. Switzerland\, Palgrave Macmillan. Pp.79 – 100
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creative-research-methods-reading-group/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Reading Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Creative-Reading-Group-e1724754972220.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T111500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251021T114453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T114456Z
UID:10000302-1763632800-1763637300@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Postgraduate Open Day: Creative Futures
DESCRIPTION:In this session\, we share Edinburgh Futures Institute’s innovative approach to learning and teaching and how our interdisciplinary programmes will help you graduate ready for tackling complex global challenges. \n\n\n\nDuring this presentation Programme Directors will also share with you the programmes that EFI offer\, in the areas of Creative Futures: \n\n\n\n– Creative Industries \n\n\n\n– Cultural Heritage Futures \n\n\n\n– Narrative Futures: Art\, Data\, Society \n\n\n\n– Service Management and Design
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/postgraduate-open-day-creative-futures/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Information session,Postgraduate online open day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/creative-futures.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T134500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251021T114348Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251021T114351Z
UID:10000303-1763641800-1763646300@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Postgraduate Open Day: Just Futures
DESCRIPTION:In this session\, we share Edinburgh Futures Institute’s innovative approach to learning and teaching and how our interdisciplinary programmes will help you graduate ready for tackling complex global challenges. During this presentation Programme Directors will also share with you the programmes that EFI offer\, in the areas of Just Futures. – AI and Data Ethics – Data\, Inequality and Society – Education Futures – Future Governance. 
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/postgraduate-open-day-just-futures/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Information session,Postgraduate online open day
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/v2-Global-Challenges-Cluster-image-.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251120T200000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251106T113922Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T164849Z
UID:10000313-1763658000-1763668800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Launch event: Venture Café Edinburgh
DESCRIPTION:Join us for the launch of Venture Café Edinburgh at inaugural Thursday Gathering at Edinburgh Futures Institute\, in partnership with ARIA (Advanced Research + Invention Agency). \n\n\n\nThe launch event and inaugural will bring together a broad spectrum of innovators — from startup founders and investors to academics and industry leaders — to connect\, get inspired and build momentum: \n\n\n\n\nUnderstand Venture Café Edinburgh’s role as a powerful ecosystem catalyst\, driving local innovation and global connection.\n\n\n\nHear from an expert panel chaired by our partner\, ARIA — with the EPCC\, the UK’s leading centre for supercomputing and data science\, alongside experts from academia\, industry and venture capital on how advanced computing is transforming research\, commerce and society.\n\n\n\nGet hands-on with an Innovation Showcase\, featuring pioneering startups from the Robotarium\, demonstrating cutting-edge robotics and AI technologies shaping the future of industry and everyday life.\n\n\n\nExplore ways to collaborate with our location partner\, Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI)\, a world-class hub supporting interdisciplinary research and innovation tackling global challenges.\n\n\n\nExperience immersive artistic programming\, spotlighting Edinburgh’s vibrant community of creatives and visionaries.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/launch-event-venture-cafe-edinburgh/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Launch event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_6055-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251125T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251125T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251114T105410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251114T105412Z
UID:10000316-1764072000-1764075600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:AI Ethics and the Future of Management Theory with Dr Ramsha Naeem
DESCRIPTION:The growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in organizational contexts underscores the need for interdisciplinary dialogue between AI ethics and management theory. This seminar explores how established management theories can be revisited and extended through ethical lenses. Building on Bleher and Braun’s (2023) framework—which articulates three ethical dimensions of AI: emotional\, justice\, and governance—we ask: How does AI reshape the emotional\, justice-related\, and governance assumptions embedded within management theories? Using a systematic literature review approach\, we critically evaluate the applicability of this framework to management research and propose an extended model that emphasizes relationality—where processes operate dynamically and interdependently. The seminar concludes by outlining propositions for future research and interdisciplinary collaboration across AI ethics and management. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biography\n\n\n\n\n\nDr Ramsha Naeem\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr Ramsha Naeem is an Assistant Professor and Head of the MBA Program at the University of Central Punjab (UCP)\, Lahore\, Pakistan. Her research interests include diversity faultlines\, virtue ethics\, ethical leadership\, strategic HRM\, and digital transformation. She has published her work in peer-reviewed journals and presented at leading international conferences\, including the Academy of Management (AOM). Currently a Visiting Fellow at the Edinburgh Futures Institute\, University of Edinburgh\, she is investigating how AI reshapes employee thinking\, behavior\, and workplace dynamics\, and what ethical frameworks are needed to guide its adoption across cultural contexts in Pakistan and the UK.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/ai-ethics-and-the-future-of-management-theory-with-dr-ramsha-naeem/
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/2025/11/Ramsha-Naeem-Lecture-1_Jordan-Watson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251127T091500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251127T101500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251117T102645Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251117T102647Z
UID:10000317-1764234900-1764238500@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Research Methods Reading Group
DESCRIPTION:Our popular reading group\, hosted by The Binks Hub and led by Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh\, is back for the new academic year.  \n\n\n\nWe are pleased to share the return of our creative research methods reading group!  \n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, after running throughout the 2024-25 academic year\, the reading group will return this semester. \n\n\n\nIf you are new to the reading group\, it is open to all and will focus on creative and artistically engaged methods for research.  The emphasis will be on practice and the application of methods.  We may invite participants to experiment between reading group meetings\, but this is not required.  You do not have to be an academic or a student to join this reading group\, but you should have an interest in creative methods. \n\n\n\nSchedule\n\n\n\nThurs 13th November\, 9.15-10.15Bradley\, Lisa and Ptolomey\, A. M. and Mirza\, Nughmana (2025) ‘From emotional interruptions to wilful disruptions: Zine-making as a post-qualitative method for locating\, articulating\, navigating\, and doing emotion in research’.Thurs 20th November\, 9.15-10.15Lupton D & Watson A (2022) ‘Research-Creations for Speculating About Digitized Automation: Bringing Creative Writing Prompts and Vital Materialism into the Sociology of Futures’ in Qualitative Inquiry 28(7): 754–766Thurs 27th November\, 9.15-10.15Matchett\, Sara & Mbasalaki\, Phoebe Kisubi (2025) ‘Precarious Landscapes: Theatre and Belonging With a Group of Sex Workers in Cape Town’. In: Mackey\, Sally & Ong\, Adelina (eds.) Performing Homescapes. Switzerland\, Palgrave Macmillan. Pp.79 – 100
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creative-research-methods-reading-group-2/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Reading Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Creative-Reading-Group-e1724754972220.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251202T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251202T200000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251119T130145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251120T112140Z
UID:10000318-1764698400-1764705600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Futures Board Games Night
DESCRIPTION:Back by popular demand\, Speculative Futures Central Scotland are running another Future Board Game Night.  \n\n\n\nEdinburgh Futures Institute’s Futures+Design Team are co-hosting the event with AndThen\, showcasing a selection of games for everyone to try out! \n\n\n\nOrganisers have partnered with V&A Dundee to run the night inside the museum after hours. Tickets are limited and we expect the event to sell out quickly so get your spot soon.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/futures-board-games-night/
LOCATION:V&A Dundee\, 1 Riverside Esplanade\, Edinburgh\, Scotland\, DD1 4EZ\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Gaming,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Spec-futures-7.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251203T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251203T143000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251112T102412Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251112T102414Z
UID:10000315-1764756000-1764772200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Reframing Criminal Justice Professional Development Seminar
DESCRIPTION:A half-day event on criminal justice\, hosted by The Binks Hub and REALITIES. \n\n\n\nJoin us for an inspiring seminar on reframing criminal justice. \n\n\n\nThe Binks Hub and REALITIES are excited to welcome attendees to a half-day event exploring and championing change within the Scottish criminal justice system. \n\n\n\nLinking to our Easter Ross and North Lanarkshire Hubs\, as well as to our Release Reimagined workstream\, REALITIES has explored\, worked with\, and championed change within the Scottish criminal justice system. REALITIES (Researching Evidence-based Alternatives in Living\, Imaginative\, Traumatised\, Integrated\, Embodied Systems) in Health Disparities is a transdisciplinary UKRI funded project which explores how we might re-imagine the health and social care systems so that they might better respond to the needs of the communities who use them. \n\n\n\nWhether it is through the creation of theatre pieces\, the advocating for accreditation workshops\, or the creation of safe spaces to create art and build community\, the findings from the project have far-reaching and exciting outputs that will be shared in the seminar. \n\n\n\nIn particular\, we will invite attendees to discuss and brainstorm about what this may suggest about the future of criminal justice policy\, research and/or practice. \n\n\n\nOpen to researchers\, practitioners\, and community members\, everyone is welcome to connect and learn.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/reframing-criminal-justice-professional-development-seminar/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/pexels-dpsinghbhullar-30483129_Kirstin-Lamb-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251204T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251204T160000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251105T142148Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T142324Z
UID:10000312-1764842400-1764864000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Poetry and Art of Impractical Repairs
DESCRIPTION:What if the breakage of an object is significant emotionally as well as physically? \n\n\n\nWhat then if a practical physical repair fails to account for this? \n\n\n\nIn this Utopia Lab we invite participants to consider impractical repairs of material objects. Sometimes the repair that we would like to achieve with a broken or damaged object is more related to emotion than the physical or utilitarian. Together we will explore how we might repair broken and damaged objects with poetry\, creative writing and sculpture. We will use collaboration\, creativity\, poetry and embodied practices to investigate how these ideas and techniques can help us to imagine positive futures and affect change in the present\, and through the course of the session you will construct your own Impractical Repair Kit\, for all your future impractical repair needs. \n\n\n\nPlease bring with you a broken or damaged object that you would like to repair in this way\, and a preparedness to discuss this with the group. After opening with meditation\, movement and poetry\, we will use creative writing exercises to express to each other what our objects represent and what kinds of repair we seek. We will then conceptualise ways in which we can use simple sculptural materials in our repairs\, compose poems and craft sculptural elements to give expression to those repairs. \n\n\n\nAbout the organisers\n\n\n\n\n\nUtopia Lab\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAt Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Utopia Labs curate interactions between academics\, artists\, entrepreneurs\, students\, and audiences in person and online globally. We are interested in that which is provocative and irreverent as well as that which is nurturing and joyful. Utopia questions are catalysts for inquiry\, learning\, and creativity. With an emphasis on innovative\, embodied and experimental ways of communicating\, we explore meditation\, dialogue and co-creation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBinks Hub\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAt the Binks Hub we conduct arts-based participatory research by bringing communities\, practitioners\, artists and academics together as equal partners to share and develop knowledge. Using art\, crafts and other creative methods and practices we investigate how to tackle the issues that matter most to people\, and explore how we can co-create solutions. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBiographies\n\n\n\n\n\nJennifer Williams\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage Credit: Gintare Kulyte\n\n\n\n\n\nJennifer Williams is a poet\, Creative Projects Manager at Edinburgh Futures Institute\, and founder of Utopia Lab\, which she now co-curates with Matjaz Vidmar. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosephine Balfour-Oatts\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJosephine Balfour-Oatts is an AHRC-funded PhD researcher in English Literature at the University of Edinburgh. She works as a Teaching Assistant on the Narrative Futures MSc at Edinburgh Futures Institute\, and within the NHS\, she supports the recovery of eating disorder patients using her lived experience expertise and creative writing background. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJimmy Turner\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJimmy Turner is a furniture maker\, sculptor\, curator and anthropologist who works as a researcher for the Binks Hub at the University of Edinburgh\, concentrating on designing and developing projects with communities through which they can explore their curiosities and priorities through art and creativity. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMatjaz Vidmar\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMatjaz Vidmar is an academic\, creator and entrepreneur. Though Lecturer in Engineering Management at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering\, his work spans facilitating collaboration in innovation\, and futures design\, across a number of disciplines and fields.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/the-poetry-and-art-of-impractical-repairs/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Banner-image_Kirstin-Lamb.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251210T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251210T183000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251030T153551Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251030T153554Z
UID:10000304-1765382400-1765391400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:How Users Imagine Archival Research
DESCRIPTION:This talk will focus on the development of JPCA Explore and how it reflects wider issues around creating human-scale digital projects. \n\n\n\nHow Users Imagine Archival Research: JPCA Explore and Digital Curation at the Smithsonian National African American History and Culture Museum. \n\n\n\nIn 2021\, the National Museum of African American History and Culture created a first-of-its-kind position at the Smithsonian Institution: a senior-level curator with the wide-ranging portfolio of “digital interpretation.” Filling this position has called for creative education\, especially when working with curatorial colleagues with a range of experiences and interests in digital humanities. In the past year\, we’ve had a unique opportunity to introduce the possibilities of digital discoveries internally through the JPCA Explore project. \n\n\n\nThe Johnson Publishing Company Archive (JPCA) is the largest collection of 20th-century African American publishing materials\, including a core collection of over 3 million photographs. The JPCA was purchased in 2019 by a consortium of funders – the Ford Foundation\, the J. Paul Getty Trust\, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation\, the Mellon Foundation\, and the Smithsonian Institution. Since 2022\, it has been formally co-stewarded by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Getty. \n\n\n\nJPCA Explore is an experimental discovery lens in the larger in-development JPCA digital eco-system. Based on a hand-selected subset of 3\,000 images\, Explore uses a bespoke metadata schema to invite users with zero research experience to create their own discovery paths by selecting inter-connected images. Explore was designed with an eye towards how the general public imagines archival discovery- moving from file to file\, noticing connections\, discovering the unknown. It has also served as an internal education tool\, demonstrating the possibilities of digital humanities work as well as the intensive resources that are required to make those possibilities real. \n\n\n\nThis talk will focus on the development of JPCA Explore and how it reflects wider issues around creating human-scale digital projects that still represent the magnitude of larger collections. By creating an interface with a focus on archival discovery\, and at the same time completely ignoring archival hierarchical structures\, this project seeks to implement Black Digital Humanities concepts to create new avenues into this archive. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biography\n\n\n\n\n\nDorothy Berry\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDorothy Berry is the Digital Curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Holding an MA in Folklore and Ethnomusicology and an MLS from Indiana University’s School of Informatics\, Computing\, and Engineering\, she was recognised with Library Journal’s “Movers and Shakers” award and the Society of American Archivists’ Mark A. Greene Emerging Leader Award (2020–2021). Dorothy’s first book\, The House Archives Built and Other Thoughts on Black Archival Possibilities\, was released on 16th October 2025. Following a sold out initial print run\, the book is now available for pre-order. \n\n\n\nHer work centres on harnessing digital innovation to deepen engagement with African American history\, particularly through archival discovery. Whether developing interpretive tools in the museum context or designing precise metadata frameworks\, she strives to make Black history both accurate and engaging online. Dedicated to broadening access to cultural heritage\, they seek creative ways—digital and physical—to reconnect communities with their often displaced histories.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/how-users-imagine-archival-research/
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/2025/10/CDCS-10th-Dec-2025-Lecture.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260122T091500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260122T101500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20260108T111540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T111543Z
UID:10000320-1769073300-1769076900@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Research Methods Reading Group
DESCRIPTION:Our popular reading group\, hosted by The Binks Hub and led by Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh\, is back for the new semester. \n\n\n\nWe are pleased to share the return of our creative research methods reading group!  \n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, after running throughout the 2024-25 academic year\, the reading group will return this semester. \n\n\n\nIf you are new to the reading group\, it is open to all and will focus on creative and artistically engaged methods for research.  The emphasis will be on practice and the application of methods.  We may invite participants to experiment between reading group meetings\, but this is not required.  You do not have to be an academic or a student to join this reading group\, but you should have an interest in creative methods. \n\n\n\nReading\n\n\n\nThurs 22nd January\, 9.15-10.15Un-Labelling the Language: Exploring Labels\, Jargon and Power through Participatory Arts Research with Arts Therapists and People with Learning Disabilities. Power\, Nicki ; Millard\, Emma ; The Lawnmowers Independent Theater Company\, Activists and Artists at ; Carr\, Catherine\, Voices : a world forum for music therapy\, 22(3)\, 2022-11-01
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creative-research-methods-reading-group-3/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Reading Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Creative-Reading-Group-e1724754972220.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260122T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260122T180000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251013T112837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T141022Z
UID:10000299-1769099400-1769104800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Geddes and the Scottish Generalist Tradition
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\nThis talk places Geddes within the Scottish interdisciplinary tradition (what George Davie called The Democratic Intellect) and explores Geddes’s global links\, both at in the early twentieth century and today not least with reference to his influence in Japan\, India and the USA. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Murdo Macdonald\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Murdo Macdonald is Emeritus Professor of History of Scottish Art at the University of Dundee. He is author of Scottish Art in Thames and Hudson’s World of Art series. He has worked extensively as an art critic and is a former editor of Edinburgh Review. Along with Will Maclean RSA and Arthur Watson PPRSA he developed the practice-led PhD programme in Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. Other research interests include Robert Burns and art\, and the cultural milieu of the Celtic revivalist and ecologist Patrick Geddes\, not least with respect to cognate cultural revivals in India and Japan. In 2005 he co-edited 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. His book Patrick Geddes’s Intellectual Origins was published by Edinburgh University Press in 2020. \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/geddes-and-the-scottish-generalist-tradition/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/22-Jan-Murdo-Macdonald-1920-x-1080.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260129T091500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260129T101500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20260108T111857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T111859Z
UID:10000321-1769678100-1769681700@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Research Methods Reading Group
DESCRIPTION:Our popular reading group\, hosted by The Binks Hub and led by Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh\, is back for the new semester. \n\n\n\nWe are pleased to share the return of our creative research methods reading group!  \n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, after running throughout the 2024-25 academic year\, the reading group will return this semester. \n\n\n\nIf you are new to the reading group\, it is open to all and will focus on creative and artistically engaged methods for research.  The emphasis will be on practice and the application of methods.  We may invite participants to experiment between reading group meetings\, but this is not required.  You do not have to be an academic or a student to join this reading group\, but you should have an interest in creative methods. \n\n\n\nReading\n\n\n\nThurs 29th January\, 9.15-10.15Performing care new perspectives on socially engaged performance. Fisher\, Amanda Stuart\, editor.; Thompson\, James\, 1966- editor.\, Manchester\, Manchester University Press\, 2020Note:Please read Chapter 10 – ‘Verbatim practice as research with care-experienced young people: An ‘aesthetics of care’ through aural attention’
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creative-research-methods-reading-group-4/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Reading Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Creative-Reading-Group-e1724754972220.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260129T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260129T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20241216T163543Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T110612Z
UID:10000215-1769691600-1769695200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Postgraduate study: Alumni panel and Q&A
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an informative online session to explore postgraduate taught study at Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). Hear directly from former alumni as they share their unique experiences\, insights\, and tips on what it’s like to be part of EFI’s vibrant community. \n\n\n\nThe session will be hosted live on Microsoft Teams\, and you’ll have the chance to ask questions and engage in a dynamic Q&A. Don’t miss this opportunity to take a step closer to your future with Edinburgh Futures Institute.  \n\n\n\nRegister for this event\n\n\nRegistrations for this session are now closed. \n\n\n\n\nThere are lots more opportunities to explore postgraduate study at Edinburgh Futures Institute. Come along to the Partner and Projects (online) or view the University of Edinburgh’s calendar of all confirmed postgraduate open days and events for the year ahead.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/postgraduate-study-alumni-panel/
CATEGORIES:Information session,Postgraduate online information session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HJ2A0670.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260205T091500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260205T101500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20260108T112057Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T112100Z
UID:10000322-1770282900-1770286500@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Research Methods Reading Group
DESCRIPTION:Our popular reading group\, hosted by The Binks Hub and led by Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh\, is back for the new semester. \n\n\n\nWe are pleased to share the return of our creative research methods reading group!  \n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, after running throughout the 2024-25 academic year\, the reading group will return this semester. \n\n\n\nIf you are new to the reading group\, it is open to all and will focus on creative and artistically engaged methods for research.  The emphasis will be on practice and the application of methods.  We may invite participants to experiment between reading group meetings\, but this is not required.  You do not have to be an academic or a student to join this reading group\, but you should have an interest in creative methods. \n\n\n\nReading\n\n\n\nThurs 5th February\, 9.15-10.15The And Article: Collage as Research Method\, de Rijke\, Victoria. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778004231165983
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creative-research-methods-reading-group-5/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Reading Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Creative-Reading-Group-e1724754972220.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260210T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260210T130000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20260119T110109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T111753Z
UID:10000327-1770724800-1770728400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:FutureGaze: The Future of Animation
DESCRIPTION:Join us for FutureGaze\, a series of online lunchtime conversations that explore the future of our creative industries and practices. \n\n\n\nBrought 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 the 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\nFebruary’s Discussion\n\n\n\nJoin us for the eleventh instalment of the FutureGaze series\, which will focus on the future of animation and the technological advances happening in and around animation as well as the impact on the sector as a whole. \n\n\n\nIn this discussion we’ll ask: \n\n\n\nWhat is involved in the craft of animation and how is this being developed now and into the future? \n\n\n\nHow will craft skills develop and what is the importance of storytelling in an AI world? \n\n\n\nHow will the industry itself change through technological advancements and what it will adopt? \n\n\n\nWhat changes can we expect in commissioning by streaming platforms\, and where animated content is being used in other industries? \n\n\n\nAnd of course\, how will AI and ML affect the work flow pipeline and the creative process through the development of GenAI and the industry response to that? \n\n\n\nWe will also look at the future of the MOVE Summit in gathering the community in Scotland and connecting the sector internationally and its role in talent and industry development moving forward. \n\n\n\nIn this FutureGaze session\, we’ll explore what this all means for the future of animation in Scotland. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nTom Bryant\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTom Bryant is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Cahoots Studios\, an Edinburgh based animation and visual effects studio. Cahoots Studios creates blindingly awesome work for commercials\, children’s television\, games and film. \n\n\n\nIn 2008 Tom founded his first animation studio\, Interference Pattern to co-create the animated short film\, The Lost Thing and worked as the project’s lead 3D artist. The film went on to win the 2011 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film\, amongst its many festival successes. \n\n\n\nIn 2017 Tom co-founded MOVE Summit and has been Operations Director for the past 8 years. For 2026 he again takes the helm as event Director. \n\n\n\nAs Creative Director of Cahoots Studios\, Tom’s focus is on maintaining the exacting creative standards that the studio is known for\, bringing new creative ideas and workflows to the studios processes and work\, and driving business growth. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVictoria Watson\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVictoria Watson graduated as an animator in 2006 from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee. Since then Victoria has worked as Producer / Director in live action and all forms of animation. She has worked on a number of short films\, commercials and television series\, for clients such as Netflix\, BBC\, Disney\, etc. \n\n\n\nIn 2017 Victoria joined Rhona Drummond in running Eyebolls. Eyebolls (Showreel) is an award-winning all singing\, all dancing\, full service studio based in Edinburgh. We create and produce content for TV shows\, films\, creative advertising and experiential agencies. We are passionate about collaboration and specialise and take pride in pulling together the right team for each individual project\, whether it’s live-action\, animation or merging the two worlds. We actively seek out new and fresh talent to compliment existing collaborators\, and we morph workflows\, push boundaries and adapt styles so that no two eyes are the same. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCaroline Parkinson\n\n\n\n\n\n\nImage Credit: Eoin Carey\, 2022\n\n\n\n\n\nCaroline Parkinson is Director of Creative at the 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.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/futuregaze-the-future-of-animation/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Future-Gaze.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260211T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260211T193000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20260116T100239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T090155Z
UID:10000326-1770832800-1770838200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Technomoral Conversations: What’s the Story with AI? AI Narratives and Counter-narratives
DESCRIPTION:The Technomoral Conversations series brings together leaders\, creators and innovators from academia\, technology\, business and the third sector in a ‘fireside chat’ format to discuss futures that are worth wanting. \n\n\n\nJoin us for the latest event in our Technomoral Conversations series: What’s the Story with AI? Exploring AI Narratives and Counter-Narratives. \n\n\n\nDuring this fireside chat\, we will hear critical insights from experts across academia and industry on the dominant narratives surrounding AI\, and what alternative stories can be and are being told about AI and its place in our futures. \n\n\n\nChaired by Dr Alex Taylor (University of Edinburgh)\, this Technomoral Conversation will feature Dr Abeba Birhane (Trinity College Dublin)\, Steph Wright\, (co-founder and managing director of Our AI Collective CIC)\, and John Thornhill (Financial Times)! \n\n\n\nThis event is a collaboration between the Centre for Technomoral Futures\, the Bridging Responsible AI Divides (BRAID) Programme and Edinburgh Futures Institute. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nDr Alex Taylor (Chair)\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr Alex Taylor is a sociologist with a fascination for the relations between machines and social life\, and what possibilities technoscientific entanglements might create for fundamental transformations in society. He’s currently a Reader in Design Informatics at the University of Edinburgh\, and an AHRC BRAID fellow focusing on the operationalising of responsibility. He is also a fellow of the RSA\, and holds visiting roles at the University of Sweden and City\, University of London. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr Abeba Birhane\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr Abeba Birhane founded and leads the TCD AI Accountability Lab (AIAL). She is an assistant professor of AI at the School of Computer Science and Statistics in Trinity College Dublin. Dr Birhane researches AI accountability with a particular focus on audits of AI models and training datasets – work for which she was featured in Wired UK and TIME on the TIME100 Most Influential People in AI list in 2023. Dr Birhane also served on the United Nations Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body and currently serves at the AI Advisory Council in Ireland. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSteph Wright\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSteph Wright has a diverse background ranging from astrophysics to genomics in academia and film & TV to dance in the arts and the third sector. A project and programme management professional\, she loves to develop and build collaborations across organisations to help people with their data/AI journey. She is co-founder and managing director of Our AI Collective CIC\, which works to empower communities to shape AI’s future and strengthen civic power in the age of AI. Steph was recognised as one of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics in 2023\, one of the Top 10 Women in Tech in Scotland in 2023 and recently named in the 2025 Digital Leaders AI 100 UK list. She was also awarded the 2024 DataIQ Award for Data & AI For Good Champion. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJohn Thornhill\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJohn Thornhill is the Innovation Editor and Tech Columnist at the Financial Times where he writes a weekly award-winning column on the impact of technology with a particular focus on AI. He is also the founder and editorial director of Sifted\, the FT-backed site for European startups\, and a host of Tech Tonic\, the FT’s technology podcast. \n\n\n\nJohn was previously deputy editor and news editor of the FT in London. He has also been Europe editor\, Paris bureau chief\, Asia editor\, Moscow correspondent and Lex columnist. He is a board member of the Ada Lovelace Institute.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/technomoral-conversations-whats-the-story-with-ai-ai-narratives-and-counter-narratives/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Technomoral-Conversations-AI-Narratives-5760-x-3240-px-for-slide-deck-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260212T091500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260212T101500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20260108T112326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T112328Z
UID:10000323-1770887700-1770891300@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Research Methods Reading Group
DESCRIPTION:Our popular reading group\, hosted by The Binks Hub and led by Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh\, is back for the new semester. \n\n\n\nWe are pleased to share the return of our creative research methods reading group!  \n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, after running throughout the 2024-25 academic year\, the reading group will return this semester. \n\n\n\nIf you are new to the reading group\, it is open to all and will focus on creative and artistically engaged methods for research.  The emphasis will be on practice and the application of methods.  We may invite participants to experiment between reading group meetings\, but this is not required.  You do not have to be an academic or a student to join this reading group\, but you should have an interest in creative methods. \n\n\n\nReading\n\n\n\nThurs 12th February\, 9.15-10.15Fountain\, Daniel (2022) ‘Constructed Masculinities: Unpicking Working-Class Masculinities through Knitting’ in Textile: the journal of cloth and culture\, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print): 1 – 8
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creative-research-methods-reading-group-6/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Reading Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Creative-Reading-Group-e1724754972220.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260212T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260212T140000
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20251217T105106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251219T111108Z
UID:10000319-1770901200-1770904800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Postgraduate study: Projects and partners Information and Q&A
DESCRIPTION:Curious about what it’s really like to work on live\, real-world projects at the Edinburgh Futures Institute? Join us for an online session to explore how project-based learning sits at the heart of the Edinburgh Futures Institute experience. Hear from EFI Engagement Manager Katie Murray who will share what’s involved in delivering impactful projects\, collaborating with external partners\, and developing the skills needed to tackle complex challenges. You’ll gain practical insight into how EFI projects are shaped\, supported\, and brought to life — with plenty of opportunity to ask questions in a live Q&A. \n\n\n\nThe session will be hosted live on Microsoft Teams\, and you’ll have the chance to ask questions and engage in a dynamic Q&A. Don’t miss this opportunity to take a step closer to your future with Edinburgh Futures Institute. Note: this event is not relevant to MSc Creative Industries as the project component of this degree is structured and supported differently. \n\n\nRegistrations for this session are now closed. \n\n\n\n\nThere are lots more opportunities to explore postgraduate study at Edinburgh Futures Institute. Come along to the Alumni Panel Q&A or view the University of Edinburgh’s calendar of all confirmed postgraduate open days and events for the year ahead.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/postgraduate-study-projects-and-partners-information-and-qa/
CATEGORIES:Postgraduate online information session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/HJ2A0670.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260219T091500
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260219T101500
DTSTAMP:20260429T052113
CREATED:20260108T112503Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260108T112506Z
UID:10000324-1771492500-1771496100@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Creative Research Methods Reading Group
DESCRIPTION:Our popular reading group\, hosted by The Binks Hub and led by Dr Autumn Roesch-Marsh\, is back for the new semester. \n\n\n\nWe are pleased to share the return of our creative research methods reading group!  \n\n\n\nDue to popular demand\, after running throughout the 2024-25 academic year\, the reading group will return this semester. \n\n\n\nIf you are new to the reading group\, it is open to all and will focus on creative and artistically engaged methods for research.  The emphasis will be on practice and the application of methods.  We may invite participants to experiment between reading group meetings\, but this is not required.  You do not have to be an academic or a student to join this reading group\, but you should have an interest in creative methods. \n\n\n\nReading\n\n\n\nThurs 19th February\, 9.15-10.15Kriger\, Debra (2019) ‘Malleable Methodologies: Sculpting and Imagination in Embodied Health Research’ in International journal of qualitative methods 17: 1–12
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creative-research-methods-reading-group-7/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Reading Group
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Creative-Reading-Group-e1724754972220.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR