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

Reimagining the value of musical accompaniment to human creativity

Read about Dr Nikki Moran’s research on the invisible and unmapped art of musical accompaniment.

News

How digital platforms shape the way we see our cities

Read about Dr Addie McGowan’s research on how platform economies shape the way we see cities and her work with the Data Civics Observatory.

News

Centre to accelerate net-zero buildings for cities

Edinburgh cityscape

The new Centre for Net-Zero High Density buildings based at Edinburgh Futures Institute has won a 4.5 million funding boost from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

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.

Headshot of Amy MacPherson

Amy Macpherson

Research Administrator

Anna Rezk

PhD newsletter editor
Headshot of Anna Votsi

Anna Votsi

Research Proposals Manager
Enda Delaney headshot

Enda Delaney

Director of Research
Headshot of Valentina Guerrieri

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.

Join us to challenge, create, and make change happen.

#ChallengeCreateChange