Research

We catalyse collaborative, data-driven and interdisciplinary research innovation across the University of Edinburgh and across six key themes: Creative Industries & Digital Humanities, Ethics of Data & AI, Financial Services & Fintech, Future Infrastructure, Public Sector, Tourism & Festivals.

Visit the Research Support Hub

“Edinburgh Futures Institute’s wide-ranging support of critical scholarship, exploring contemporary issues and challenges connected to a datafied society, is absolutely crucial to imagining better futures and defining pathways to impact.”
Alex Taylor (Reader in Design Informatics/Critical Data Studies Cluster Co-Lead, School of Informatics)

Research centres and Hubs

We support research centres that are focused on challenge-led, interdisciplinary, data-driven innovation across our themes.

Research clusters

We support research clusters which engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering interactions amongst academics, students and professional services staff from different fields of expertise.

Research development

We support strategic research grant applications by providing expert advice on how to design, structure and resource a project and coordinate the submission process.

Data-led methods and research technology

We build capacity for innovative digital research methods.

Internal Seed Funding

A range of funds to support students and staff.

Our research community

Join our vibrant and inclusive community of researchers through our internal affiliation programme, events and mixers, and external visiting fellowship programme.

Latest research news

News

New Digital Education and AI hub launched to support Scottish teachers

A historic stone building with a central clock tower, tall peaked roofs, and round turrets, flanked by modern glass extensions, set against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

The Data Education in Schools team at the Centre for Research in Digital Education, based at Edinburgh Futures Institute, have joined the Scottish Government-funded Centre for Teaching Excellence as the newly established Digital Education and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in  Advancing  Pedagogy Research Hub.

17 February 2026

News

Responsible AI course to help UK SMEs bridge the AI trust gap

A photographic rendering of a succulent plant seen through a refractive glass grid, overlaid with a diagram of a neural network.

The BRAID (Bridging Responsible AI Divides) research programme has developed the Responsible AI for SMEs programme, designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.

22 January 2026

Thinking

Gender and the Machine: Care under Conditions of Constraint

A collage featuring a vintage illustration of a phrenology head with black lines connecting labeled brain areas, set against an old electronic switchboard background and a hand holding string in the foreground.

What does care look like when emotions are monitored by algorithms, precarious researchers hold institutions together, and trans communities build survival infrastructures with almost no resources?

15 December 2025

Our sectors in focus

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

Creative
industries

Financial Services
& FinTech

Public
Services

tourism, Travel
& festivals

Meet the research team

We’re a team of experts, navigators, makers and doers, facilitators and collaborators with diverse skills and capabilities who want to help you explore new ways of thinking and working.

Anna Votsi

Research Proposals Manager

Enda Delaney

Director of Research

Heather McCartney

Research Administrator

Valentina Guerrieri

Head of Research Support

Get in touch to discuss research support

If you’d like to discuss how we can support you with your research please complete the form below and one of of team will get back to you.

Create. Change.