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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261103T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261103T193000
DTSTAMP:20261014T091142Z
CREATED:20261014T091138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261014T091142Z
UID:10000383-1793728800-1793734200@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Technomoral Conversations: AI and the Future of Fundamental Rights
DESCRIPTION:In this fireside chat\, we will hear from Javier Ruiz Diaz\, tèmítópé lasade-anderson\, Haylea Campbell and Zeerak Talat! \n\n\n\nThe 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’ Chancellor’s Fellow in Responsible Machine Learning and AI\, Dr Zeerak Talat\, this Technomoral Conversation will feature Javier Ruiz Diaz (Technology and Human Rights Lead at Amnesty International UK)\, tèmítópé lasade-anderson (Executive Director at Glitch)\, Haylea Campbell (Senior Associate in the Pro Bono Practice at Hogan Lovells Cadwalader)\, and Professor Michael Veale (Professor of Technology Law and Policy at University College London). The panelists will discuss AI’s rapidly expanding impact on fundamental rights such as freedom of speech\, labour rights\, privacy and freedom of movement\, and how AI is reshaping the wider political climate. The event will include time for audience questions. \n\n\n\nThis event is a collaboration between the Centre for Technomoral Futures and Edinburgh Futures Institute.
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/technomoral-conversations-ai-and-the-future-of-fundamental-rights/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Technomoral-Conversations-AI-and-Fundamenta-3_Jordan-Watson.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260930T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260930T170000
DTSTAMP:20260908T151355Z
CREATED:20260908T151308Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T151355Z
UID:10000381-1790784000-1790787600@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Building Compassion in Financial Services Organizations 
DESCRIPTION:[11:00am–12:00pm ET / 3:00–4:00pm UTC] \n\n\n\nPlease join our global community of compassionate leaders and change-makers for a conversation on building compassion into the culture of financial services. The Center for Compassionate Leadership and the Compassion in Financial Services Hub at Edinburgh Futures Institute\, University of Edinburgh are delighted to host this special gathering\, that will open with a panel discussion followed by ample time for audience Q&A. \n\n\n\nOur panel includes: \n\n\n\n● Bill Mansfield\, Lloyds Bank North America \n\n\n\n● Omar Shaikh\, Global Ethical Finance Initiative \n\n\n\n● Liz Grant\, Compassion in Financial Services Hub\, University of Edinburgh \n\n\n\n● Monica Worline\, Center for Positive Organizations\, University of Michigan \n\n\n\n● Laura Berland\, Center for Compassionate Leadership \n\n\n\n● Evan Harrel\, Center for Compassionate Leadership
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/building-compassion-in-financial-services-organizations/
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Global-Compassion.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260918T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260918T191500
DTSTAMP:20260918T181827Z
CREATED:20260625T120033Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T181827Z
UID:10000374-1789754400-1789758900@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Future University: Work and the Next Economy of Knowledge
DESCRIPTION:Artificial intelligence is transforming the world of work\, but its impact is not predetermined. As new technologies reshape professions\, workplaces\, and career paths\, universities face profound questions about the knowledge\, skills\, and values they should cultivate in future generations. How can higher education prepare people not only to adapt to technological change\, but to shape it? In this closing conversation\, Sarah O’Connor draws on her reporting and research into the changing nature of work to explore what makes work meaningful\, what risks we face as technology becomes more deeply embedded in everyday life\, and what role universities should play in building a more human-centred economy.  \n\n\n\n\n\nSarah O’Connor\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSarah O’Connor is a columnist\, reporter and associate editor at the Financial Times. She writes a weekly column focused on the world of work\, as well as longer features and investigations. She has won the Orwell Prize for Exposing Britain’s Social Evils\, the Wincott Award for financial journalism\, Business Commentator of the Year at the Comment Awards\, Financial/Economic story of the year at the Foreign Press Awards and Business and Finance Journalist of the year at the British Press Awards.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChair: Marion Thain\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarion Thain comes to Edinburgh Futures Institute from her role as Professor of Culture and Technology at King’s College London\, where she was Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities for 6 years. While at King’s she founded and led the Digital Futures Institute\, which grew out of her Centre for Attention Studies. She began her career as a Junior Research Fellow at Cambridge University\, and worked in English departments at Russell Group universities before moving to New York University as a professor of Arts and Literature (in English and the school of the interdisciplinary global liberal arts) and Director of Digital Humanities. She returned to the UK in 2018. Marion is interested particularly in the relationship between culture and technology (considering ‘technology’ in the broadest sense)\, and in formations of disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. Details can be found at https://www.marionthain.org 
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/future-university-work-and-the-next-economy-of-knowledge/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Future University,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/18-Sept-Future-University-Work-and-the-Next-Economy-of-Knowledge.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260918T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260918T153000
DTSTAMP:20260918T144319Z
CREATED:20260625T115932Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260918T144319Z
UID:10000373-1789740000-1789745400@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Building the University of 2050: Leadership\, Structure\, and Strategy
DESCRIPTION:Universities were built for a different age. As artificial intelligence\, demographic change\, geopolitical uncertainty\, and economic pressures reshape society\, long-established assumptions about how universities are governed\, funded\, organised\, and valued are coming under increasing strain. What kinds of institutions will be needed in 2050? Which traditions should be preserved\, and which structures may need to be reinvented? Bringing together perspectives from higher education leadership and technological change\, this session will ask whether the university as we know it is fit for the decades ahead – and what new models of knowledge\, learning\, and institutional life might emerge by 2050.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nVivienne Stern\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nVivienne Stern took up the role of UUK Chief Executive in September 2022. Vivienne has over 25 years’ experience of working in higher education policy and politics at national and international level. She previously worked for the Chair of the Education Select Committee of the UK Parliament; as a policy specialist and then Head of Political Affairs for Universities UK; and most recently as the Director of Universities UK International (UUKi) which represents UK universities around the world. She is a member of the UK Government’s Soft Power Council; the Higher Educational Advisory Group; the Skills Advisory Group and the GREAT Private Sector Council. She is Deputy Chair of the Council for At Risk Academics and chairs its Nominations and Governance Committee. She was awarded an MBE for Services to International Education in the New Years’ Honours List 2022.  In 2021 Vivienne received the European Association of International Educators’ “Vision and Leadership” award. Vivienne is a graduate of the University of Cambridge\, where she studied English Literature.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJamie Bartlett\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJamie Bartlett is one of the UK’s leading technology writers and thinkers. His previous books include The People Vs Tech\, winner of the Transmission Prize and longlisted for the 2019 Orwell Prize for Political Writing\, and The Dark Net. In 2010 Jamie founded a research centre at leading ThinkTank Demos that specialised in designing and applying AI to understand social trends.He has written and presented several hit BBC podcast series\, including The Missing Cryptoqueen\, which reached number 1 in the podcast charts around the world\, and his Ted Talk about the dark net has been watched nearly six million times. He has previously written on the intersection of tech and politics for the Telegraph\, the Spectator\, and the Guardian.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBen Wildavsky\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBen Wildavsky is a visiting fellow at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is the award-winning author of The Great Brain Race (Princeton) and the coeditor of Reinventing Higher Education and Measuring Success. His writing has appeared in The New York Times\, The Wall Street Journal\, The Atlantic\, and many other publications. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChair: Marion Thain\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarion Thain comes to Edinburgh Futures Institute from her role as Professor of Culture and Technology at King’s College London\, where she was Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities for 6 years. While at King’s she founded and led the Digital Futures Institute\, which grew out of her Centre for Attention Studies. She began her career as a Junior Research Fellow at Cambridge University\, and worked in English departments at Russell Group universities before moving to New York University as a professor of Arts and Literature (in English and the school of the interdisciplinary global liberal arts) and Director of Digital Humanities. She returned to the UK in 2018. Marion is interested particularly in the relationship between culture and technology (considering ‘technology’ in the broadest sense)\, and in formations of disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity.
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/building-the-university-of-2050-leadership-structure-and-strategy/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Future University,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/18-Sept-Building-the-University-of-2050.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T193000
DTSTAMP:20260917T184504Z
CREATED:20260625T115514Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T184504Z
UID:10000371-1789668000-1789673400@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Universities and the Future of Truth: AI\, Free Speech\, and Power
DESCRIPTION:At a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping how information is produced\, distributed\, and consumed\, questions of truth\, trust\, and authority have become increasingly urgent. What happens when AI systems mediate public debate\, generate knowledge\, and influence what we see\, believe\, and share? How should universities respond to a world of contested expertise\, information abundance\, and growing distrust in institutions? Bringing together perspectives on technology\, democracy\, public discourse\, and digital rights\, this discussion will explore the role of universities in defending open inquiry\, fostering critical thinking\, and sustaining the conditions for informed public life.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nRumman Chowdhury\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRumman Chowdhury\, PhD\, is a globally recognized expert in responsible AI\, governance\, and algorithmic accountability. She is the CEO and founder of Humane Intelligence public benefit corporation\, and the co-founder of Humane Intelligence\, a nonprofit advancing community-driven AI auditing and evaluation. Appointed as the U.S. Science Envoy for Artificial Intelligence\, she engages in global AI governance efforts with a focus on emerging markets. Previously\, she led AI ethics teams at Twitter and Accenture\, pioneering enterprise-level AI risk mitigation tools. Rumman is also a Responsible AI Fellow at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center and a trusted advisor to international organisations on AI policy and ethics.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJillian C. York\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJillian C. York is a writer and activist whose work examines the impact of technology on our societal and cultural values. Based in London\, she is the Director for International Freedom of Expression at the Electronic Frontier Foundation\, a fellow at the Center for Internet & Human Rights at the European University Viadrina\, a visiting professor at the College of Europe Natolin\, and the author of Silicon Values: The Future of Free Speech Under Surveillance Capitalism (Verso 2021).  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeffrey W. Howard\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJeffrey W. Howard is professor of political philosophy and public policy at University College London\, where he is director of the Digital Speech Lab. He is co-editor of the journal Political Philosophy.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChair: Emily Sullivan\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDr. Emily Sullivan is Senior Lecturer at the University of Edinburgh’s Department of Philosophy. She is the Co-Director of the Centre for Technomoral Futures in the Edinburgh Futures Institute and an Associate Editor for The British Journal of Philosophy of Science. In 2025 she was awarded the Herbert A. Simon Award from the International Association of Computing and Philosophy (IACAP) for outstanding research in computing and philosophy. She is currently the PI on an ERC Starting Grant (2025-2030) that conceptualizes and evaluates machine learning models across science and society as a type of toy model. In this project\, she bridges epistemic and ethical issues in simple computational models with complex modern day machine learning models.
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/universities-and-the-future-of-truth-ai-free-speech-and-power/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Future University,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/17-Sept-Universities-and-the-Future-of-Truth_-AI-Free-Speech-and-Power.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T140000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T153000
DTSTAMP:20260917T143434Z
CREATED:20260625T115413Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T143434Z
UID:10000370-1789653600-1789659000@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Teaching\, Learning\, and the AI University
DESCRIPTION:Artificial intelligence is accelerating change across higher education\, challenging established assumptions about teaching\, assessment\, expertise\, and the value of a university education. As new models of learning emerge\, what should the university of the future look like? Who will shape it\, who will benefit from it\, and what role should universities play in preparing people for a rapidly changing world? This panel will explore how institutions can respond to technological transformation while preserving their educational mission and public purpose.  \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nRose Luckin\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRose Luckin is Professor Emerita at University College London and Founder and CEO of Educate Ventures Research (EVR). An internationally recognised expert on artificial intelligence and education\, she has more than 30 years of experience researching how technology can support teaching and learning. Rose advises governments\, policymakers\, and industry on the ethical and effective use of AI in education and is a leading voice on the future of learning in an age of rapid technological change. She is co-founder of the Institute for Ethical AI in Education and the author of several influential books\, including Machine Learning and Human Intelligence: The Future of Education for the 21st Century and AI for Schoolteachers.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJanja Komljenovic\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nJanja Komljenovic is a Senior Lecturer in Education Futures at the University of Edinburgh. Her research focuses on the political economy of higher education and the digitalisation\, datafication\, and platformisation of universities. Her approach intersects economic sociology\, science and technology studies\, and higher education research. She has published internationally on higher education policy\, higher education markets\, and educational technology. Janja acts as a consultant on various international higher education policy projects\, serves as an evaluator for national quality assurance agencies\, and is a member of committees within international organisations.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAndrew Maynard\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAndrew Maynard is a scientist\, professor\, and author at Arizona State University\, where he directs the Future of Being Human initiative. His work explores the nature of advanced technology transitions from a transdisciplinary perspective\, and spans conceptual understanding of the shifting dynamic between technology\, society and the future\, to what it means to flourish in a technologically-transformed world. While his work addresses many facets of emerging technologies\, he is increasingly focused on both the challenges and opportunities emerging around frontier AI modes; especially where they challenge established ideas around learning\, education\, meaning-making and human identity. Andrew has worked with organizations from the OECD and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research\, to the World Economic Forum; has given testimony to congressional committees on tech innovation; is the author of the books Films from the Future and Future Rising\, and co-author with Jeffrey Abbott of AI and the Art of Being Human. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNoah Sobe\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNoah W. Sobe\, PhD\, is Chief of Section for Higher Education at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.  Prior to this appointment he had a two-decade career as a professor at Loyola University Chicago.  He was previously at UNESCO (2019-2022) helping to lead a flagship futures of education initiative.  Additionally\, he is a past president of the Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) and former co-editor of the journal European Education. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChair: Sian Bayne\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSian Bayne is Professor of Digital Education at the University of Edinburgh. She directs the Centre for Research in Digital Education where her research is currently focused on higher education futures and on interdisciplinary and critical approaches to researching digital education.  
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/teaching-learning-and-the-ai-university/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Future University,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/17-Sept-Teaching-Learning-and-the-AI-University.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260917T113000
DTSTAMP:20260917T105746Z
CREATED:20260625T115259Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260917T105746Z
UID:10000369-1789639200-1789644600@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Future of Research in an Age of AI
DESCRIPTION:Artificial intelligence is transforming how knowledge is produced\, analysed\, and shared across every discipline. From scientific discovery and creative practice to the humanities and social sciences\, new tools are reshaping the research process and raising fundamental questions about expertise\, evidence\, and the future of scholarship. How might AI change what researchers do\, how research is conducted\, and what universities contribute to society? This panel will explore the opportunities\, challenges\, and responsibilities facing research institutions as they navigate a new era of knowledge creation. \n\n\n\nSpeaker Biographies\n\n\n\n\n\nDevi Sridhar\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nDevi Sridhar is a writer\, broadcaster and world-leading expert in public health and wellbeing. She is Professor and Chair of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh and has advised the WHO\, UNICEF\, UNESCO and the Scottish\, UK and German governments. Devi appears regularly on ITV and Channel 4 News\, has a bi-weekly column in the Guardian\, and a certified Level 3 Personal Trainer. Her first popular book\, Preventable\, was a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week and a Sunday Times bestseller. Her latest book How Not to Die (Too Soon)’ was a Financial Times Book of the Year in 2025.   \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChristopher Smith\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nProfessor Christopher Smith is the Executive Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)\, UKRI International Champion and Creative Industries Responsible owner UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).  He has been involved across his career in culture\, heritage and the arts in Scotland\, Italy and globally.  He has been Professor of Ancient History at the University of St Andrews since 2002\, and was also Vice-Principal (2007-2009)\, before being seconded as Director of the British School at Rome\, the UK’s leading humanities and creative arts research institute overseas\, from 2009 to 2017.  In 2025 he was appointed as the Chair of the Board of the National Library of Scotland (NLS). He is the author or editor of over 20 books from textual editions to museum studies.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a Member of the Academia Europaea.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMichael Rovatsos\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMichael Rovatsos is Dean of Research and Innovation at the College of Science and Engineering and Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the School of Informatics. He has previously held key leadership roles at the University as Director of The Bayes Centre\, Deputy Vice Principal for AI\, and institutional lead on AI adoption. He currently serves on the Scottish Government’s Tech Council\, the Board of The Data Lab and acts as academic University liaison at the Alan Turing Institute. He has over 25 years of experience in AI research\, where he develops to support collaboration between human and/or artificial agents. He has published over 100 scientific articles on various topics in AI\, and has been involved in research and innovation projects that have received over £20 million of external funding. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nChair: Marion Thain\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMarion Thain comes to Edinburgh Futures Institute from her role as Professor of Culture and Technology at King’s College London\, where she was Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities for 6 years. While at King’s she founded and led the Digital Futures Institute\, which grew out of her Centre for Attention Studies. She began her career as a Junior Research Fellow at Cambridge University\, and worked in English departments at Russell Group universities before moving to New York University as a professor of Arts and Literature (in English and the school of the interdisciplinary global liberal arts) and Director of Digital Humanities. She returned to the UK in 2018. Marion is interested particularly in the relationship between culture and technology (considering ‘technology’ in the broadest sense)\, and in formations of disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. Details can be found at https://www.marionthain.org 
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/the-future-of-research-in-an-age-of-ai/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, Level 0 Event Space\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Future University,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/17-Sept-The-Future-of-Research-in-an-Age-of-AI.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260908T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260908T130000
DTSTAMP:20260820T093604Z
CREATED:20260820T093602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T093604Z
UID:10000379-1788868800-1788872400@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:FutureGaze: The Future of Tourism and Culture
DESCRIPTION:Overview \n\n\n\nFutureGaze is 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.PLEASE NOTE: \n\n\n\nFutureGaze is a free event for all Creative Edinburgh members. If you’re not a member yet\, you’re absolutely welcome to join us – and we’d love to have you. To support the community\, please consider signing up as a free member or Pay What You Can to help keep events like this accessible for everyone. \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\nSeptember’s Discussion: The Future of Tourism and Culture\n\n\n\nWhat is the scope of our cultural tourism in Scotland\, and how can we support local\, national and international audiences to engage with Scottish culture and our cultural events? \n\n\n\nDuring this event\, we’ll explore the trends we’re seeing in the data\, discuss how AI is impacting creative and cultural work\, and discover how to harness these tools for better audience engagement and data gathering. We’ll also share strategies and resources that Scottish creative and cultural organisations can use to support tourism moving forward\, helping you connect with visitors and build sustainable audiences for your work. \n\n\n\nAbout our guests\n\n\n\nJoshua Ryan-Saha\, Director of Tourism\, Travel & Festivals\, Edinburgh Futures Institute \n\n\n\nJoshua is Director of Tourism\, Travel & Festivals at the Edinburgh Futures Institute\, University of Edinburgh\, where he leads the Travel Tech Innovation Hub and the Traveltech for Scotland network. Over six years\, he has grown the network to more than 200 companies and helped facilitate over £25 million of investment into travel tech. \n\n\n\nHe chairs the Data\, AI & Technology workstream on Scotland’s Tourism & Hospitality Industry Leadership Group and leads the Scottish Tourism Data Partnership. His work sits at the intersection of academia\, government\, and industry – translating emerging technology into practical policy\, investment agendas\, and a clearer understanding of the changing customer journey. A global practitioner in the field\, he has delivered AI\, futures\, and technology sessions to over 1\,000 tourism and travel professionals across four continents. \n\n\n\nMary Bruce\, Digital Projects Officer\, Edinburgh Fringe Society \n\n\n\nMary Bruce is Digital Projects Coordinator at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society\, working on digital transformation initiatives\, including the development of the Fringe’s new website\, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies through the Digital Accelerator Programme. \n\n\n\nMary is focused on improving how artists and audiences engage with the Fringe’s digital platforms and how these platforms can best communicate and provide access to the programme. She has led research into staff perceptions of AI within a festival context\, helping to inform organisational policy development and the ethical use of AI across the organisation\, as well as its use by artists and audiences. She has also conducted user research with community groups and audiences with access requirements\, ensuring accessibility considerations are embedded into the development of the Fringe’s technical infrastructure. \n\n\n\nMore recently\, Mary led a project to develop new ways of categorising work coming to the Fringe\, helping audiences navigate the ever-growing and vast programme as well as finding ways to support artists to represent their work. \n\n\n\nAbout our host\n\n\n\nCaroline Parkinson \n\n\n\nCaroline 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. \n\n\n\nCode of Conduct\n\n\n\nCreative Edinburgh is committed to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone. Across all our activities and channels we ask participants to respect the Code of Conduct. \n\n\n\nAbout Creative Edinburgh\n\n\n\nCreative Edinburgh is a registered Scottish Charity (SC052838) committed to helping creatives thrive. Through events\, career support and advocacy\, we bring together and help grow the city’s creative community\, providing a space for creation\, collaboration and connection at every stage of your career. Creative Edinburgh is supported by Creative Scotland as a recipient of Multi-Year Funding (MYF).
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/futuregaze-the-future-of-tourism-and-culture/
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Future-Gaze.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260821T153000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260821T163000
DTSTAMP:20260819T143911Z
CREATED:20260805T094754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260819T143911Z
UID:10000377-1787326200-1787329800@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Hilary Cottam & Sarah O’Connor: New Ways of Working
DESCRIPTION:We’re continually told that the AI revolution will forever alter our relationship with work\, yet need that change be for the worse? Enjoy an invigorating discussion with two authors offering upbeat proposals for the future of work: Orwell Prize-winning Financial Times journalist Sarah O’Connor\, whose We Are Not Machines explores humans learning to master destabilising new technology\, and innovator and change-maker Hilary Cottam\, whose The Work We Need reimagines labour as a force for collective good. Chaired by Jarred McGinnis. \n\n\n\nSupported by Edinburgh Futures Institute.
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/hilary-cottam-sarah-oconnor-new-ways-of-working/
LOCATION:Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Hilary-Cottam-Sarah-OConnor-New-Ways-of-Working.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260817T130000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260817T140000
DTSTAMP:20260805T092038Z
CREATED:20260805T092036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T092038Z
UID:10000376-1786971600-1786975200@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:The Front List: Cory Doctorow and Jimmy Wales
DESCRIPTION:Remember when the internet was exciting and full of possibilities? As online content becomes darker\, more divisive\, and sensationalist over truthful\, join Jimmy Wales\, founder of Wikipedia and author of The Seven Rules of Trust\, and journalist and sci-fi author Cory Doctorow (author of Enshittification: Why Everything Suddenly Got Worse and What To Do About It) for a frank and fascinating discussion on the current state of our online lives. Can the internet ever be good again? Chaired by Gabriel Gatehouse. \n\n\n\nSupported by Edinburgh Futures Institute and Beaverbrook Canadian Foundation and the High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/the-front-list-cory-doctorow-and-jimmy-wales/
LOCATION:McEwan Hall\, Teviot Place\, Edinburgh\, EH8 9AG\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Edinburgh International Book Festival,Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Doctorow_Wales_web.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260527T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260527T130000
DTSTAMP:20260422T130102Z
CREATED:20260422T130032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260422T130102Z
UID:10000355-1779876000-1779886800@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Melting-Pot.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260429T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260429T180000
DTSTAMP:20260409T124742Z
CREATED:20260317T115554Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260409T124742Z
UID:10000347-1777480200-1777485600@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/29-April-Roger-Jeffery-1920x1080-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260429T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260429T170000
DTSTAMP:20260309T155731Z
CREATED:20260309T155728Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T155731Z
UID:10000345-1777474800-1777482000@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Sophie-Bishop-talk_Heather-McCartney.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260402T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260402T180000
DTSTAMP:20260309T122601Z
CREATED:20260305T112626Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T122601Z
UID:10000339-1775127600-1775152800@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Day of Co-Creation
DESCRIPTION:The Binks Hub invites you to celebrate creative and participatory research practices. Join for one event\, or for the whole day!  \n\n\n\nThe Day of Co-Creation is co-badged with The School of Scottish Studies Archives\, Poverty Truth Community\, Outwith at the University of Edinburgh Library\, and the Binks Hub.
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/day-of-co-creation/
LOCATION:Research Suite – 6th Floor\, University of Edinburgh Main Library\, 30 George Square\, Edinburgh\, EH8 9LJ
CATEGORIES:Book launch,Community Event,Talk/Discussion,Workshop
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Day-of-Co-Creation-screens_Kirstin-Lamb-1-scaled.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="The Binks Hub":MAILTO:binks@ed.ac.uk
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260401T153000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260401T170000
DTSTAMP:20260309T155245Z
CREATED:20260309T155243Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T155245Z
UID:10000344-1775057400-1775062800@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Amelia Acker - Book Talk: "Archiving Machines: A Material History of Data Storage"
DESCRIPTION:Imagine a punch card you can hold in your hand. A reel of magnetic tape spinning in a basement. A Palm Pilot collecting dust in a drawer. Your smartphone pinging a cell tower every few seconds. These data storage formats are evidence of how archiving became something machines do for us\, rather than something we do for ourselves. This interactive book talk uses early mobile computing artifacts to tell the hidden history of how we lost control of our data. Each object marks a shift in who structures\, stores\, and can access the digital archives we generate with every click\, swipe\, and search. \n\n\n\nArchiving Machines: From Punch Cards to Platforms examines how ‘archive’ became a verb in computing cultures\, and how this shift enabled a political one. Today\, corporations\, not individuals or institutions\, largely control access to our data archives. By tracing moments of technological transition through material objects\, this work offers both a critical genealogy of asymmetric access and grounds for imagining alternative futures for digital cultural memory. \n\n\n\nBio: \n\n\n\nAmelia Acker is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication & Information at Rutgers\, The State University of New Jersey. Her research on data management and digital preservation has been supported with funding from the Institute for Museum and Library Services\, the National Science Foundation\, the Sloan Foundation\, the Ford Foundation\, and the ACM History and Archiving Fellowship. Acker’s projects address the representation and loss of digital traces\, the history of data management\, and the transmission of information through time. She investigates how infrastructure and organizational practices shape the preservation\, accessibility\, and governance of data\, with a particular focus on the impact of platforms\, software\, and AI on archives and digital memory. Acker is the author of Archiving Machines: From Punch Cards to Platforms (MIT\, 2025).
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/amelia-acker-book-talk-archiving-machines-a-material-history-of-data-storage/
LOCATION:Room 1.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Amelia-Acker-book-talk_Heather-McCartney.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260327T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260327T170000
DTSTAMP:20260309T154825Z
CREATED:20260309T154823Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260309T154825Z
UID:10000343-1774623600-1774630800@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:CDS Seminar Series: Jonathan Gray
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a book talk on Public Data Cultures by Jonathan Gray.  \n\n\n\n​The book nurtures critical and creative engagements with public data as cultural material\, medium of participation and as site of transnational politics. It explores how activists\, journalists\, artists and others work with public data as well as looking at how critical perspectives can make a difference in practice. \n\n\n\n​After a short book talk\, there will be a collective discussion moment and time to catch up with others with overlapping curiosities. \n\n\n\n​”In an era when ‘data’ seems so often a tool of oppression and control\, this book provides a marvellous\, salutary exploration of its deployment for social change. This is a core optimistic message for our times; Gray is the ideal guide.” – Geoffrey C. Bowker\, UC Irvine \n\n\n\n​”This is an enchanting guide to a defining phenomenon of digital culture\, which shows how different worlds may come about through practising data otherwise.” – Noortje Marres\, author of Digital Sociology \n\n\n\n​From the book blurb: \n\n\n\n\n​Public data shapes what we know and how we live together. It is often digital\, freely available and related to matters of shared concern\, from global warming graphs to collaborative spreadsheets documenting mass layoffs. It circulates via maps and apps which enable us to discover\, report and rate what is around us. \n\n\n\n​Public Data Cultures explores the practices and cultures of how data is made public in the age of the Internet. Looking beyond familiar narratives of data as a resource to be liberated or protected\, this book offers new perspectives on public data as networked cultural material\, as medium of participation and as site of transnational politics. To better account for how data makes a difference\, the book argues for a more expansive conception of what is involved in making data public. In doing so\, it focuses not just on removing restrictions but also on caring for arrangements involved in making data public in ways that grow shared understanding and solidarity in responding to the many intersecting troubles of our times. \n\n\n\n\n\n​Nurturing critical and creative engagements with data\, this book is essential reading for students and scholars of media\, communications\, Internet studies\, science and technology studies and digital humanities\, as well as artists\, designers\, engineers\, reporters\, public sector workers\, community organisers and activists working with data. \n\n\n\n\n​About the author: \n\n\n\n​Jonathan W. Y. Gray (@jwyg) explores the roles digital data\, methods and infrastructures in shaping how we know and live together. He is the author of Public Data Cultures (Polity\, 2025). At King’s College London\, he is Reader in Critical Infrastructure Studies at the Department of Digital Humanities and co-director of the Centre for Digital Culture. He is also co-founder of the Public Data Lab; research associate at the Digital Methods Initiative (University of Amsterdam) and the médialab (Sciences Po\, Paris); and has taught with the School for Poetic Computation in NYC. More about his work can be found at jonathangray.org.
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/cds-seminar-series-jonathan-gray/
LOCATION:Room 1.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/publicdatacultures_16x9.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260327T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260327T110000
DTSTAMP:20260218T151804Z
CREATED:20260203T114951Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260218T151804Z
UID:10000328-1774605600-1774609200@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Epistemic Injustice and Mental Health System Survivor Knowledge
DESCRIPTION:A seminar on epistemic injustice and mental health\, led by Tamsin Oudney Walker and Sarah Golightley \n\n\n\nThis session will draw on theories of epistemic injustice and Tamsin’s PhD research to outline some of the difficulties survivors of the mental health system can face when trying to articulate their experiences and/or to share this with others. \n\n\n\nTamsin will then cover some of the ways survivors have responded to these challenges\, identifying the resources survivors use to make sense of and communicate experience and how those can vary in relation to neurological or psychological differences. \n\n\n\nThe session will conclude by thinking about what can build or diminish survivors’ confidence in their ability to make sense of experience and how we can create supportive contexts for the sharing of survivor knowledge and experience. \n\n\n\nTamsin and Sarah will then be available for questions and discussion. \n\n\n\n\n\nTamsin Oudney Walker\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nTamsin Oudney Walker recently completed her PhD about survivors of the mental health system\, epistemic injustice and zines\, at the University of Lancashire. This work was part of a wider project exploring mental health related zines: madzines.org funded by Wellcome Trust.Prior to this she worked in voluntary sector mental health services for over twenty years\, providing direct support\, developing and managing services and doing a lot of work around involvement and survivor voice. She also has experience of using services and of working as a freelance illustrator and author (Not My Shame\, Singing Dragon; Otis Doesn’t scratch\, PCCS books; Not ready Yet\, Only Women Press). \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSarah Golightley\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSarah Golightley’s research\, teaching\, and social work practice have focused on supporting marginalised people who have experienced violence. She is passionate about uplifting the perspectives of service users/survivors/lived experience experts and challenging the power inequalities in who is listened to in social research and social work practice. Her present research focus is on institutional violence and the pathologisation of youth in the USA ‘troubled teen industry’. \n\n\n\nPrior to moving into academia\, Sarah worked with LGBTQ+ victims/survivors of domestic abuse and LGBTQ+ homeless youth. She is currently conducting the Canadian Therapeutic Boarding School Research Study.
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/epistemic-injustice-and-mental-health-system-survivor-knowledge/
LOCATION:Room 2.55\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/pexels-tara-winstead-8378723_Kirstin-Lamb-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260211T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260211T193000
DTSTAMP:20260216T090155Z
CREATED:20260116T100239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260216T090155Z
UID:10000326-1770832800-1770838200@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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:20260210T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260210T130000
DTSTAMP:20260119T111753Z
CREATED:20260119T110109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260119T111753Z
UID:10000327-1770724800-1770728400@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/futuregaze-the-future-of-animation/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Future-Gaze.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260122T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260122T180000
DTSTAMP:20251127T141022Z
CREATED:20251013T112837Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251127T141022Z
UID:10000299-1769099400-1769104800@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/22-Jan-Murdo-Macdonald-1920-x-1080.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251202T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251202T200000
DTSTAMP:20251120T112140Z
CREATED:20251119T130145Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251120T112140Z
UID:10000318-1764698400-1764705600@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Spec-futures-7.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251104T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251104T193000
DTSTAMP:20251105T085945Z
CREATED:20251009T095359Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251105T085945Z
UID:10000295-1762279200-1762284600@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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:20251030T180000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T193000
DTSTAMP:20251009T093551Z
CREATED:20251001T150224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T093551Z
UID:10000294-1761847200-1761852600@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-in-the-City-Eventbrite-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T163000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251030T180000
DTSTAMP:20251013T100907Z
CREATED:20251013T100643Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251013T100907Z
UID:10000298-1761841800-1761847200@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/30-Oct-Mike-Small-1920-x-1080.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T160000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T173000
DTSTAMP:20250915T125019Z
CREATED:20250915T124929Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250915T125019Z
UID:10000290-1761148800-1761154200@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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:20251022T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251022T140000
DTSTAMP:20251016T121227Z
CREATED:20251015T125521Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251016T121227Z
UID:10000300-1761136200-1761141600@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/7.-Learning-from-Anywhere-cropped.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251021T123000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251021T133000
DTSTAMP:20250917T090352Z
CREATED:20250917T090140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250917T090352Z
UID:10000292-1761049800-1761053400@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/facilitating-futures-led-design-sprints/
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251020T170000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251020T183000
DTSTAMP:20251009T111202Z
CREATED:20251009T111159Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251009T111202Z
UID:10000297-1760979600-1760985000@www-staging.efi.cahss.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://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/giving-humanists-a-helping-hand-in-hpc/
LOCATION:Online\, Edinburgh
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T173000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251007T193000
DTSTAMP:20250912T091329Z
CREATED:20250912T091327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250912T091329Z
UID:10000289-1759858200-1759865400@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:EICC Live: Artificial Intelligence - Can Tourism Stay Human?
DESCRIPTION:Joshua Ryan-Saha is Director of Tourism\, Travel and Festivals at Edinburgh Futures Institute\, University of Edinburgh. He established Traveltech for Scotland to cement our position as a European leader in travel technology innovation. He has delivered AI and tourism innovation lectures and workshops to more than 400 industry professionals across Europe\, America and Asia\, advising tourism destinations on the use of AI. \n\n\n\nEdinburgh knows tourism’s double-edged sword and is the topic of endless debate. Is the relationship between visitors and local residents under strain. Noise\, house prices\, traffic\, and new developments have all at times attracted the ire of those who call Edinburgh their home. Yet this very tension makes our city the perfect laboratory for asking: what happens when you throw AI into the tourism mix? \n\n\n\nThrough interactive elements and real-world examples\, Joshua will navigate how AI is already reshaping travel\, from algorithm-curated itineraries to predictive crowd management. But as machines become better at planning perfect trips\, are we losing the beautiful accidents\, spontaneous discoveries\, and genuine human connections that make travel transformative? \n\n\n\nDrawing on his work around the globe\, Joshua will explore the uncertain future ahead. Will tomorrow’s tourists still get wonderfully lost? Can we harness AI’s power while preserving tourism’s capacity to surprise\, challenge\, and change us? \n\n\n\nHear how this technological revolution is unfolding in Scotland and beyond – and help shape what comes next. \n\n\n\nImage credit: Cat O’Neil
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/eicc-live-artificial-intelligence-can-tourism-stay-human/
LOCATION:Edinburgh International Conference Centre\, 150 Morrison St\, Edinburgh\, EH3 8EE
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion,Tourism & Festivals
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20251001T100000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20251001T143000
DTSTAMP:20250924T085554Z
CREATED:20250916T145035Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250924T085554Z
UID:10000291-1759312800-1759329000@www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk
SUMMARY:Planetary Health is Public Health: Reimagining the Future Together
DESCRIPTION:Join us for an inspiring seminar on green prescribing and planetary health. \n\n\n\nThe Binks Hub and REALITIES are excited to welcome attendees to a half-day event exploring alternative approaches to health and wellbeing. Focusing on green prescribing and planetary health\, the first half of the seminar will open the floor to project teams to share their real-world insights into what’s working\, where the gaps are\, and how we can collectively move forward through community research and engagement. \n\n\n\nIn the second half\, we will hear from invited organisations who are paving the way in integrating green prescribing in their communities; offering their valuable perspectives on how planetary health and local initiatives are linked. \n\n\n\nOpen to researchers\, health practitioners\, and community members\, everyone is welcome to connect and learn. \n\n\n\nImage credit: Milena Trifonova
URL:https://www-staging.efi.cahss.ed.ac.uk/event/planetary-health-is-public-health-reimagining-the-future-together/
LOCATION:Room 4.35\, Edinburgh Futures Institute\, 1 Lauriston Place\, Edinburgh\, EH3 9EF
CATEGORIES:Talk/Discussion
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