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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260420T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260420T170000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260407T093517Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260407T093520Z
UID:10000352-1776693600-1776704400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The National Security and Defence Documents Dataset
DESCRIPTION:The National Security and Defence Documents Dataset: A Hands-On Introduction for Researchers and Practitioners \n\n\n\nHow do states talk about security — and has that changed? This half-day workshop offers researchers and practitioners a first hands-on encounter with the National Security and Defence Documents Dataset (NSDDD): a unique resource spanning 118 countries and four decades of national security strategies\, defence reviews\, and strategic documents. \n\n\n\nParticipants will explore the dataset using purpose-built semantic search and text analysis tools\, discovering what computational approaches can reveal about patterns in strategic language\, threat framing\, and geopolitical alignment — including the wave of new documents published in 2025. No prior technical experience is required: the session is designed to open up the dataset’s possibilities for scholars and policy professionals with substantive expertise in security and strategic studies. \n\n\n\nBy the end of the session\, participants will understand what the dataset contains and how it was built\, have direct experience using the search interface to pursue their own research questions\, and be positioned to contribute to a collaborative discussion about the most promising directions for future research. \n\n\n\nAgenda\n\n\n\n14:00-15:00Introduction to the dataset by Prof. Andrew Neal15:00-16:00 Hands-on learning with the dataset tools\, with in-person support16:00-17:00Participant findings from the hands-on session\, Q&A\, discussion\, future directions
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/the-national-security-and-defence-documents-dataset/
LOCATION:Room 1.52\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Andrew-Neale-6_Olivia-Jenkins.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260423T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260423T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260422T125252Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T131734Z
UID:10000354-1776963600-1776974400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Venture Café Edinburgh Thursday Gathering
DESCRIPTION:People\, Planet\, Progress: How to Take Action this Earth Day\n\n\n\nCelebrate Earth Day this year with Venture Café Edinburgh and People Planet Pint! From a wine tasting that walks participants through how climate change is affecting the flavour of wines\, to drafting a hands-on decarbonisation action plans\, this will be a jam-packed event that both explores the challenges of the climate emergency\, and highlights solutions on the horizon.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/venture-cafe-edinburgh-thursday-gathering/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/169-VCE-Photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260429T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260429T170000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260309T155728Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T155731Z
UID:10000345-1777474800-1777482000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:CDS Seminar Series: Sophie Bishop
DESCRIPTION:Overview \n\n\n\n‘Influencer Creep: How Optimization\, Authenticity and Self-Branding Transform Creative Culture’ \n\n\n\nSophie Bishop’s book ‘Influencer Creep: How Optimization\, Authenticity and Self-Branding Transform Creative Culture’ (University of California Press) draws from in-depth ethnography and interviews with influencers and professional artists. Bishop argues that looking to the shifts within influencer culture can help us understand contemporary changes to labour conditions\, compensation and representation within creative industries. Taking seriously the motivations that drive more and more people into the contest for online visibility\, Influencer Creep documents a creative workforce nervously conforming to the monopoly power of social media platforms—and occasionally resisting it. Early praise for the book includes “those in the art world will find plenty to chew on” (Publishers Weekly) and “both a page turner and thorough academic study” (Professor Thomas Poell\, UVA). \n\n\n\nBio \n\n\n\nSophie Bishop is an expert in influencer culture and an Associate Professor at the University of Leeds in Media and Communications who has been researching the social and cultural implications of the influencer industry for a decade. Sophie\, has advised policy makers in UK Parliament and the European Union on influencer culture and has written for academic journals New Media & Society\, Social Media + Society and Media\, Culture & Society and has been interviewed in Paper\, Real Life\, Financial Times\, BBC and The Atlantic. Sophie lives in Manchester\, England with her husband\, daughter\, and two cats. Influencer Creep is her first book.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/cds-seminar-series-sophie-bishop/
LOCATION:Room 1.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Sophie-Bishop-talk_Heather-McCartney.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260429T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260429T180000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260317T115554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T124742Z
UID:10000347-1777480200-1777485600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:What Patrick Geddes did in India: a few steps too far?
DESCRIPTION:This talk will consider the time that Geddes spent as the first Professor of Sociology at the University of Bombay. He produced a series of town plans\, met a kindred spirit in Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore\, and then left. What was his impact on colonial India? \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Roger Jeffrey\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRoger Jeffrey is Professor Emeritus of Sociology of South Asia\, University of Edinburgh. His academic publications focused on public health and health policy\, especially maternal and reproductive health and access to medicines\, as well as secondary schooling. Since 2015 he has been researching the ‘footprint’ of India in the city of Edinburgh\, and the lives of women who qualified as doctors in the UK between 1877 and 1916. He edited India in Edinburgh\, (Delhi and London\, 2019); a further volume\, edited with Friederike Voigt\, Perceptions of Empire: Edinburgh’s Engagement with India\, was published in India in February 2026. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor 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/what-patrick-geddes-did-in-india-a-few-steps-too-far/
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/2026/03/29-April-Roger-Jeffery-1920x1080-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260430T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260430T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260422T130448Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T131749Z
UID:10000356-1777568400-1777579200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Venture Café Edinburgh Thursday Gathering
DESCRIPTION:The Intelligent Body: Exploring Programmable Immunity and the Future of Sustained Resilience\n\n\n\nModern medicine remains largely reactive\, relying on external interventions to address pathological states after they have already manifested. The Intelligent Body explores a paradigm shift: the transition from biology as a fixed\, immutable blueprint to biology as a programmable\, responsive platform. \n\n\n\nThe goal of this event is to move the conversation beyond “health” toward resilience by design. We’ll discuss the engineering challenges\, ethical considerations of resident genetic circuits\, and how Scottish innovation can advance the idea of a body that manages its own defence.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/venture-cafe-edinburgh-thursday-gathering-2/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/169-VCE-Photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260505T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260505T140000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260323T121204Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260323T121206Z
UID:10000349-1777986000-1777989600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Digital Backlash in Education: Panic\, Politics\, or Pedagogy?
DESCRIPTION:In recent years\, debates about digital technologies in education have shifted from what could be described as a digital hype to a digital backlash. Digital tools are increasingly framed as threats to learning\, cognition\, and the well-being of children and young people\, and nations worldwide have started to implement more restrictive digitalization policies\, such as banning smartphones from the classroom. This presentation explores recurring patterns in the arguments underpinning this shift\, across time and national settings\, and how similar narratives of harm and calls for scientific ‘evidence’ have resulted in different national policy responses. It discusses how this backlash emerged\, what forms of knowledge and expertise have shaped it\, and whether it can be used as a provocation to inform a more sustainable and pedagogically grounded relation to digital technologies in education. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biography\n\n\n\n\n\nIngrid Forsler\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nIngrid Forsler is an Associate Professor in Media and Communication Studies at Södertörn University\, Sweden. Her research concerns imaginaries and future visions of digital technologies in education\, in recent years focused mainly on the growing resistance against digital devices in schools. She is also interested in the postdigital\, material\, and infrastructural dimensions of contemporary learning environments.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/the-digital-backlash-in-education-panic-politics-or-pedagogy/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Ingrid-Forsler-for-EFI-newsletter_Giovanna-Pasquariell.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260507T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260507T075128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T075214Z
UID:10000358-1778173200-1778184000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Venture Café Edinburgh Thursday Gathering
DESCRIPTION:To Be (the CEO) or Not to Be? That is the Founder’s Question\n\n\n\nIt’s one of the most significant crossroads in the spin-out journey: Can\, and should\, a researcher lead the company they created? On Thursday\, we’re moving past the polite surface talk for an open conversation about the CEO’s role in deep-tech spin-outs. Whether you’re a PI weighing up your future\, a PhD student with a prototype\, or a supporter of the next wave of technical talent\, come join the conversation. We’ll hear from founders who have taken both paths and explore how Scotland can ensure more world-class research makes a world-class impact.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/venture-cafe-edinburgh-thursday-gathering-3/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/169-VCE-Photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260514T090000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260514T170000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260324T115814Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260324T115816Z
UID:10000350-1778749200-1778778000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:CreativeTech Scotland Gathering 2026
DESCRIPTION:Join us on the 14th of May at CreativeTech Scotland Gathering 2026 for an exciting day of cutting edge creative tech talks and workshop. \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\nThe Programme will be added shortly but to give you a flavour of the day\, there will be a range of industry spotlights\, hands-on workshop\, and a showcase of creative tech demonstrations and lightning talks\, with a closing reception in partnership with Venture Café 5pm to 8pm. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nOpening Keynote: Jane Harris\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDirector of the University of the Arts London\, Fashion\, Textiles and Technology Institute (UAL\, FTTI) with over £25m investment to date\, Professor Harris was Director / PI of the Business of Fashion\, Textiles and Technology (BFTT\, £6m) one of nine Creative R&D Partnerships funded by the AHRC Creative Industries Clusters Programme (£80m\, CICP\, 2018-24) – and is Co-I on an EPSRC Digital Economy Network+ (2022-27) establishing a UK wide Virtual Production Network led by the University of York\, and led DREEm: Digital\, Regeneration and Experience Economy modelling (www.dreem.org.uk)\, funded by AHRC. \n\n\n\nProfessor Harris will talk about the UAL XR Research Lab in Textiles and Dress\, a specialist research facility\, which aims to advance research in the digital rendition of textiles and dress for integration into screen and real-time environments spanning wide ranging performance\, gaming\, cultural heritage\, and live experiences. This specialist research facility is part of the UAL Fashion\, Textiles and Technology Institute (UAL FTTI). Creating capacity for innovative\, transdisciplinary practice-led research in VP/XR textiles and dress\, partners include the Victoria and Albert Museum\, Royal Shakespeare Company\, Numerion Software and SONY. \n\n\n\nTo find out more visit arts.ac.uk \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nClosing Keynote: Trevor Jones\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTrevor Jones is a Scottish-based artist and creative technologist whose work examines how blockchain and artificial intelligence are reshaping authorship and creative agency. He holds a Master of Fine Art from Edinburgh College of Art. \n\n\n\nHe first gained international recognition for his pioneering augmented reality interventions in national institutions and later became an early leader in blockchain-based art\, with landmark works such as Bitcoin Angel. His practice spans traditional painting\, digitally native systems\, and immersive\, interactive installations. \n\n\n\nJones’ work explores faith\, technology and the changing role of the artist as digital tools alter how art is made\, owned and experienced. Through hybrid physical and digital participatory projects\, he examines how authorship shifts when creative control is shared between artist\, audience and machine. \n\n\n\nTo find out more visit trevorjonesart.com
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/creativetech-scotland-gathering-2026/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Conference,Creative Industries
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/CTSG_EventBrite_banner_2160x1080_202349-2_Maddy-Burgoyne.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260514T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260514T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260507T075624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T075626Z
UID:10000359-1778778000-1778788800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:After Party: Creative Tech Scotland Gathering
DESCRIPTION:To Be (the CEO) or Not to Be? That is the Founder’s Question\n\n\n\nVenture Cafe Edinburgh is partnering with CreativeTech Scotland Gathering to host a special reception and networking event after their annual event. Expect panels\, exhibitions\, and hands-on activities.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/after-party-creative-tech-scotland-gathering/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/169-VCE-Photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260520T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260520T190000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260506T145605Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260508T082436Z
UID:10000357-1779296400-1779303600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Traveltech Meet Up
DESCRIPTION:We’re excited to announce our next TravelTech meetup on 20th May\, featuring an interactive session in collaboration with 80 Days. \n\n\n\n​Following the hugely popular session on Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) last year\, this session will explore how the AI search landscape has continued to evolve and what that means for travel and tourism businesses looking to stay visible. \n\n\n\n​From AI Overviews and search agents to the increasingly non-linear traveller journey\, we’ll cut through the noise and focus on what really matters. Expect practical\, actionable strategies to help you get found in the age of AI-driven search\, along with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and take part in the discussion. \n\n\n\n​Whether you joined us last time or are completely new to the topic\, this session is designed to give you clear insights you can apply straight away.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/traveltech-meet-up-5/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Mixer,Tourism & Festivals,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Traveltech-Meet-up-12_Maddy-Burgoyne.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260521T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260521T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260507T080400Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T080752Z
UID:10000360-1779382800-1779393600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Venture Café Edinburgh Thursday Gathering
DESCRIPTION:From Research to Reality: The Future of AI in Scotland\n\n\n\nWhat happens when brilliant research meets the right support? \n\n\n\nFor researchers\, the path from lab to impact isn’t always clear. Future Worlds works with university researchers of all levels\, helping them explore what’s possible long before a company exists. This event\, in collaboration with Future Worlds\, is for anyone in Scotland working with AI\, whether it’s your core focus or a tool you’re using to push boundaries. \n\n\n\nFor this Thursday Gathering\, we’re bringing together researchers\, founders\, and ecosystem connectors for an evening built around inspiration and possibility. Expect lightning talks\, showcases\, and a welcoming space to ask: what if? \n\n\n\nWhether you’re a PhD student\, a postdoc\, or a professor – if you’re building something with AI and want to explore where it could lead\, come along and be part of the conversation.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/venture-cafe-edinburgh-thursday-gathering-4/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/169-VCE-Photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260527T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260527T130000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260422T130032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T130102Z
UID:10000355-1779876000-1779886800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Bridging Communities: Creating the Change You Want to See in the World
DESCRIPTION:What does it really take to create meaningful change? \n\n\n\nJoin us for the first Bridging Communities event of 2026\, hosted by The Melting Pot in collaboration with the Edinburgh Futures Institute\, as we explore what it means to turn bold ideas into real-world action. \n\n\n\nThis event is for people who want to make a difference in their organisations\, communities and wider society. We know that meaningful change rarely happens by accident. It takes imagination\, persistence\, collaboration and the courage to try something new. It’s felt across all sectors and shapes and sizes of organisations. \n\n\n\nThrough the stories of two inspiring speakers\, we’ll hear firsthand how new initiatives have been created that have gone on to influence Scottish society\, from changing the world of grant making to reshaping thinking and practice in the public sector. These are stories of creating something truly new\, navigating uncertainty and building momentum for change in a sustainable way. \n\n\n\nAfter each speaker\, there will be time to reflect on what you’ve heard and connect it with your own context. This period of individual reflection will allow you to questions like: what change do you want to see\, what stands in the way\, and what practical steps could help move your ideas forward? \n\n\n\nWhether you’re leading change inside an organisation\, supporting communities\, developing new ideas\, or simply looking for inspiration and connection\, this event is designed to help you think bigger\, act more deliberately\, and learn with others who care about creating a better future. \n\n\n\nWhat to expect\n\n\n\n\nLight refreshments on arrival\n\n\n\nTwo inspiring speakers sharing their experience of creating meaningful change\n\n\n\nFacilitated reflection and conversation after each speaker\n\n\n\nNetworking with people from across sectors who are working to make a positive difference\n\n\n\nA warm and welcoming event — whether you love networking or usually avoid it\, you’ll leave with fresh perspectives and new connections\n\n\n\n\nWho’s it for?\n\n\n\nThis event is open to all sectors\, inviting as many different perspectives in the room as possible. Whether you work in the public\, private or third sector or are part of a community initiative or social enterprise\, Bridging Communities is designed to help you step outside your usual circles\, connect with others and spark new possibilities for action. \n\n\n\nWhat We Need From You:\n\n\n\n\nTo reflect on what new initiatives have inspired you in the past \n\n\n\nTo consider what new concepts get you excited in 2026\n\n\n\nTo bring one belief that you feel accelerates change \n\n\n\n\nMeet Our Speakers\n\n\n\nTwo speakers will share their experiences of creating truly new initiatives that have changed the worlds of grant making and the public sector. \n\n\n\n\nLeah Black\, Co-director of Regenerative Futures Fund \n\n\n\nCatherine Rose\, Co-Director of Scottish Policy & Research Exchange\n\n\n\nAdam Underwood\, Business Development Lead at St Columba’s Hospice\n\n\n\n\nMore speaker details to be announced soon. \n\n\n\nTickets\n\n\n\nHosted in collaboration with Edinburgh Futures Institute\, this event is free and open to all. \n\n\n\nHowever if you are able we would welcome a donation to help The Melting Pot cover their costs to run the event (this includes marketing\, staff time and event facilitation).
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/bridging-communities-creating-the-change-you-want-to-see-in-the-world/
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/2026/04/Melting-Pot.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260528T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260528T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260507T080618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T080827Z
UID:10000361-1779987600-1779998400@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Venture Café Edinburgh Thursday Gathering
DESCRIPTION:Funding That Fits: A Night for Female Founders\, Funders & Investors\n\n\n\nEvery business needs the right support to grow\, but female-led businesses often face a narrower view of what that support looks like. Equity investment is a powerful route\, but it’s not the only option. From crowdfunding to IP-backed lending\, many businesses thrive on a mix of funding sources\, yet these options often lack visibility\, leaving founders unsure what’s available or right for their stage and sector. \n\n\n\nThis special Thursday Gathering\, in partnership with Pathways Forward and Scottish EDGE\, is designed to make connections that matter and focus on practical actions\, not just another diagnosis of the problem. \n\n\n\nWho is this for?\n\n\n\n\nFounders looking for the right kind of finance at the right time.\n\n\n\nInvestors and funders who are serious about backing women-led businesses.\n\n\n\nAnyone who wants to shift from talking about the issues to making progress.\n\n\n\n\nWhat to expect?\n\n\n\nYou’ll leave with a clear view of what different funders and supporters are looking for\, along with actionable takeaways on the funding mix that could work for you. \n\n\n\nCome ready to ask questions\, make connections\, and leave with a clearer sense of your next step.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/venture-cafe-edinburgh-thursday-gathering-5/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/169-VCE-Photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260602T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260602T191500
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260409T134034Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T113359Z
UID:10000353-1780423200-1780427700@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Beth Simone Noveck: Civic University – Democracy\, AI\, and the Public Imagination
DESCRIPTION:Join Beth Simone Noveck in conversation with Oliver Escobar for a timely exploration of the civic role of the university in an age of democratic uncertainty and rapid technological change. This event will examine how universities can act as democratic institutions – harnessing AI not just as a tool for innovation\, but to strengthen participation\, trust\, and public problem-solving. At a moment when democracy feels increasingly fragile\, what responsibilities do universities hold as civic actors embedded in society? And how can they help design and deploy technologies that serve the public good rather than concentrate power? This conversation invites us to reimagine the university not only as a site of knowledge\, but as a vital partner in renewing democratic life. \n\n\n\nPart of the Future University programme\, this event looks beyond immediate sector challenges to ask what kind of institutions we need for the future – and how universities can rise to meet that moment. \n\n\n\nImage credit: Elise Racine & The Bigger Picture / https://betterimagesofai.org / https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nBeth Simone Noveck\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBeth Simone Noveck is a professor and director of the Burnes Center for Social Change at Northeastern University. She leads The Governance Lab and its InnovateUS initiative. Former U.S. deputy chief technology officer and the first state chief AI strategist\, she founded AI for Impact\, which builds democratic AI with communities. She is the author of Solving Public Problems: A Practical Guide to Fix Our Government and Change Our World and writes on AI and democracy at rebootdemocracy.ai. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChair: Oliver Escobar\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Oliver Escobar is the Chair of Public Policy and Democratic Innovation at the University of Edinburgh. He works on participatory and deliberative democracy\, with a focus on public participation\, policy work\, the commons\, political inequalities\, and the governance of the future. Oliver combines research and practice to develop social and democratic innovations across various policy and community contexts. He was Academic Lead on Democratic Innovation at Edinburgh Futures Institute (2019-2023)\, and Co-director of CRITIQUE  (2021-2023). Read more about Oliver: https://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/oliver-escobar
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/beth-simone-noveck-civic-university-democracy-ai-and-the-public-imagination/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Future University
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260606T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260606T170000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260601T134001Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260601T134319Z
UID:10000363-1780740000-1780765200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:University of Edinburgh at the Meadows Festival
DESCRIPTION:Pop into our stall in the Community Area and meet staff and students from Edinburgh Futures Institute and members of the university’s Edinburgh Local team. Find out how we support local communities and discover some of our research with fun hands-on activities.  \n\n\n\nActivities are free\, open to all and available on a drop-in basis \n\n\n\nAbout us\n\n\n\nThe Culture & Community Team at the Edinburgh Futures Institute\, University of Edinburgh provides creative activities\, events and programmes for the public to learn\, discover and be inspired by our work on society\, data and future challenges.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/university-of-edinburgh-at-the-meadows-festival/
LOCATION:The Meadows\, Melville Drive\, Edinburgh\, EH9 1JU
CATEGORIES:Meadows Festival
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260607T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260607T170000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260601T134115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260601T134239Z
UID:10000364-1780830000-1780851600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:University of Edinburgh at the Meadows Festival
DESCRIPTION:Pop into our stall in the Community Area and meet staff and students from Edinburgh Futures Institute and members of the university’s Edinburgh Local team. Find out how we support local communities and discover some of our research with fun hands-on activities.  \n\n\n\nActivities are free\, open to all and available on a drop-in basis \n\n\n\nAbout us\n\n\n\nThe Culture & Community Team at the Edinburgh Futures Institute\, University of Edinburgh provides creative activities\, events and programmes for the public to learn\, discover and be inspired by our work on society\, data and future challenges.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/university-of-edinburgh-at-the-meadows-festival-2/
LOCATION:The Meadows\, Melville Drive\, Edinburgh\, EH9 1JU
CATEGORIES:Meadows Festival
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260611T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260611T120000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260520T143947Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260520T144049Z
UID:10000362-1781172000-1781179200@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Centre for Investing Innovation Prominent Scholars Lecture with Jacob Choi: A Portfolio of AI Agents
DESCRIPTION:The Centre for Investing Innovation (CII)\, a research centre based at Edinburgh Futures Institute\, invites you to this upcoming Prominent Scholars Lecture with Jacob Choi\, co-founder and CEO of LinqAlpha. \n\n\n\nThe event is open to the public\, university students\, researchers\, and professionals working across financial services\, fintech\, Artificial Intelligence\, Machine Learning\, and data. \n\n\n\nChoi’s talk\, “A Portfolio of AI Agents: From Asset Specialists to Cross-Asset Intelligence in Institutional Investment Research\,” looks at a major change happening in how large investment organisations do research. \n\n\n\nInstead of relying on slow\, manual processes spread across different tools and teams\, more firms are starting to use AI to pull information together and analyse it quickly. The shift is moving from AI as something that simply helps analysts\, to groups of AI “agents” that can work alongside them—finding relevant material\, questioning assumptions\, and summarising key insights across different markets. \n\n\n\nBased on several years of work with major global investors\, Choi will share what he’s learned from actually building and using these systems. He won’t present them as perfect solutions\, but as real-world signs that this new approach is developing quickly—even faster than the academic or industry theory needed to fully explain it.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/a-portfolio-of-ai-agents-from-asset-specialists-to-cross-asset-intelligence-in-institutional-investment-research/
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260611T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260611T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260604T105849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T105853Z
UID:10000365-1781197200-1781208000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Venture Café Edinburgh Thursday Gathering
DESCRIPTION:The Science Behind Strong Connections\n\n\n\nVenture Cafe have teamed up with Converge to celebrate the next generation of Scottish entrepreneurs! Converge’s Kickstart programme helps students\, researchers and recent graduates from across Scotland’s universities dip their toes into entrepreneurship. It’s where people learn the basics\, test whether their idea has legs\, and decide if this path is for them. \n\n\n\nOn June 11th\, we’re bringing this year’s cohort together with the wider Venture Café Edinburgh community\, because building a good network takes time\, and the earlier you start\, the better. Whether you’re just starting out or have been around the block\, this is a chance to make connections that will matter at every stage of the journey. We’ll also hear from experienced founders and ecosystem builders on the science behind strong connections and how your networks and relationships are what help open doors\, challenge your thinking\, and support you when things get hard. Come along\, meet the cohort\, and help us welcome the next wave of Scottish academic entrepreneurs into the community.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/venture-cafe-edinburgh-thursday-gathering-6/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260615T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260615T190000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260610T122142Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260610T122144Z
UID:10000368-1781542800-1781550000@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Traveltech Meet Up
DESCRIPTION:​From Screen to Destination: Building the Data Infrastructure for Screen Tourism \n\n\n\n​Film and television have become some of the most powerful drivers of travel demand\, influencing nine out of ten travel decisions. From iconic filming locations to destinations propelled into the spotlight by a hit series\, screen tourism is booming. Yet despite its growing impact\, the sector still relies heavily on anecdotes rather than data. \n\n\n\n​As demand continues to rise\, there is a clear opportunity for travel technology and AI to help build the infrastructure needed to better understand\, measure\, and manage screen tourism. \n\n\n\n​Join us for an interactive discussion exploring the untapped potential at the intersection of travel technology\, AI\, and screen tourism.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/traveltech-meet-up-6/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Mixer,Tourism & Festivals,Workshop
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260618T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260618T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260604T112236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T112238Z
UID:10000366-1781802000-1781812800@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Venture Café Edinburgh Thursday Gathering
DESCRIPTION:Future-Proofing the Plate\n\n\n\nJoin us on Sustainable Gastronomy Day to celebrate the future of food! We know that our food system needs to change. The question isn’t whether we innovate\, but what that innovation looks like\, from lab to field to kitchen. For this Thursday Gathering\, we’re bringing together researchers\, founders\, culinary creatives\, and food lovers for an evening focused on real solutions. Across the night\, we’ll explore new approaches to growing\, cooking\, and sharing food that can help build a more sustainable\, secure\, and resilient future.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/venture-cafe-edinburgh-thursday-gathering-7/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260625T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260625T200000
DTSTAMP:20260622T054315
CREATED:20260604T141152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260604T141155Z
UID:10000367-1782406800-1782417600@efi.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Venture Café Edinburgh Thursday Gathering
DESCRIPTION:Founders Meetup Edinburgh x Venture Café\n\n\n\nWe’re teaming up with Founders Meetup Edinburgh for a special event on June 25th at Venture Café Edinburgh! \n\n\n\nWe’ll bring their signature format\, an intimate interview with a successful entrepreneur\, and infuse it with Venture Café’s signature magic: real connections\, unexpected conversations and a buzzing atmosphere where innovators connect. \n\n\n\nDuring the night\, you’ll hear from Poonam Gupta OBE\, CEO & Founder of PG Paper Company who will share her journey scaling a global business. \n\n\n\nWhether you come for the story or the people\, you’ll leave with fresh ideas and new contacts.
URL:https://efi.ed.ac.uk/event/venture-cafe-edinburgh-thursday-gathering-8/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Venture Cafe Edinburgh Thursday Gatherings
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END:VCALENDAR