A colleague recently reminded me that to know our future, we must first understand our past, so I’ll start with the Earth system, out of which we evolved. This astonishing collection of matter and energy self-assembled into the wondrous place we inhabit today. Generally, things that self-assemble into interdependent systems, evolve in response to each other, and to their environments. Such systems tend to self-regulate.
This blog explores the current and future value of arts and culture in Scotland. While the economic, social, health and wellbeing benefits are well established, culture also plays a key role in supporting democratic life. Participation in culture can strengthen critical thinking, openness and civic engagement, helping counter disinformation and exclusionary narratives. Looking at examples…
Across the world mass biodiversity loss is being driven by human activities, including climate change, pollution and changing land and sea use. While international agreements and frameworks have been established to tackle this crisis, progress has so far been slow. Scotland, where biodiversity intactness is notably low, is experiencing many of the same challenges as those seen at the global…
Introducing “Looking Beyond” Welcome to Looking Beyond, Scotland’s Futures Forum’s blog series. This space is for ideas that flow, sometimes together, sometimes apart, towards Scotland’s future. That’s why we’ve chosen the word “Multifluous” to open this series. We’ve combined multi- (many) and -fluous (flowing), because futures thinking is rarely linear. Like the Mississippi River in…
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sir George Reid, a visionary leader, and the driving force behind the creation of Scotland’s Futures Forum 20 years ago. This month, as we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we are proud to be part of George Reid’s legacy and it is with great sadness that we stop…
This event, held on 19 February 2025 at the Scottish Parliament, brought together educators, policymakers, and researchers to discuss the responsible integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in Scottish schools. The event gave an opportunity for key stakeholders to reflect on current AI policies, young people’s perspectives, and future challenges in education. The first draft of…
This event, held on 25 March at the Scottish Parliament, brought together a group of education leaders, educationalists, policy makers and relevant education stakeholders for an exploratory discussion on possible futures for artificial intelligence (AI) in Scottish schools.
Friday 23 August 2024, at the Scottish Parliament Part of the 2024 Festival of Politics, this panel discussion explored the challenges and opportunities artificial intelligence (AI) and deepfake technology present to democracies. The panel included experts discussing the implications of AI, misinformation, the urgent need for collaborative solutions and the responsibilities of citizens, government and…
Tuesday 17 September 2024, at the Scottish Parliament This event, held on 17 September 2024 at the Scottish Parliament, showcased innovative approaches to integrating AI in education, highlighting its potential to enhance learning, foster creativity, and support ethical, inclusive practices. Through engaging presentations and discussions, participants explored key themes such as AI’s role in creative…
Friday 23 August 2024, at the Scottish Parliament As part of the 2024 Festival of Politics, Scotland’s Futures Forum helped the Scottish Parliament mark its 25th anniversary with a panel discussion reflecting on its achievements, challenges, and opportunities for growth. The event highlighted the Parliament’s strengths, legislative achievements, and areas for improvement, with a focus…
Are creative humans still relevant. This Festival of Politics debate in August 2024 explored the impact of AI on Scotland’s creative sector.
Tuesday March 19 2024 This event continued our critical conversation on the policies, strategies and practices shaping artificial intelligence’s future in Scottish schools. It brought together educators, academics and other experts and provoked discussions on key themes like ethical considerations, equitable access, and collaborative development. What challenges and opportunities lie ahead, and how can we…
22 April 2024 Scotland aims to achieve ‘net zero’ by 2045, but the Scottish Government announced, in April, that the interim 2030 target is unreachable highlighting the significant challenges ahead. By bringing together MSPs and stakeholders from academia, private, public and third sectors, the conference provided a platform to discuss and strategise on the necessary…
How are parliaments changing to respond to the climate and biodiversity emergencies? How are they supporting their elected members to deal with the issues..
Malini Mehra, chief executive of GLOBE International, joins parliamentarians in the COP pavilion to provide an update on how conference negotiations are going.
Following our public panel discussion in October 2023 on inequality in Scotland, event attendee Neil Gilmour shared his thoughts on the event and the question.
This seminar in November 2023 explored the levers that we can use in education and learning to make the best use of artificial intelligence.
This event in October 2023 explored how we can use our land to underpin food security, maintain sustainable communities, & meet climate & biodiversity targets
This blog by David Waite, Richard Crisp and Anne Green reflects on different ideas of economic change and where they’ve come from.
An update from the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank on its work in autumn 2023. This includes information about a public debate in October.
With AI growing in importance throughout our lives, this blog explores a free-market future for education and schools. It accompanies our event report: “AI and Education with the Goodison Group”
This panel discussion in October 2023 explored how fair Scotland is as a country. Complete equality of outcome is impossible – so what does success look like?
What can be done to tackle the giants of 21st century poverty? This seminar in August 2023 with the David Hume Institute and Professor Danny Dorling explored whether Scotland is providing some answers.
If all political parties in Scotland are committed to tackling poverty, why has more progress not been made? This Festival of Politics debate in August 2023 explored Scotland’s poverty problem.
Post-pandemic and in a cost-of-living crisis, how can new economic ideas help us shape the future? This Festival of Politics debate in August 2023 explored how our economy could and should work.
How can Scotland create fair and sustainable communities? This Festival of Politics debate in August 2023 explored the role of and future for our land in Scotland.
An update from the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank on its work in summer 2023. This includes information on the Festival of Politics in August.
With Scotland facing the challenges of a climate emergency and rising inequality, this seminar in June 2023 explored business purpose and making a good living.
This seminar in June 2023 explored the disruptive effect of artificial intelligence on education and skills. How could & should AI influence learning?
Blog in May 2023 by Robbie Scarff on Artificial Intelligence and Skills: what impact will AI have on what it means to be a worker?
Blog in May 2023 by Robbie Scarff on Artificial Intelligence and Education: what tools are available and what issues do they raise?
What effect will AI have on democracy? This podcast, recorded in May 2023, explored the potential impact of AI on our lives and how we should react.
Three blogs by 16 and 17-year-old students submitted to the Goodison Group in Scotland ahead of an event on AI and Education in 2023.
This blog offers ideas for how AI can help unlock education for millions of people worldwide. It is reproduced to accompany our event report: “AI and Education with the Goodison Group”
This blog offers a scenario of the future in which students use AI to learn about the past. It is reproduced to accompany our event report: “AI and Education with the Goodison Group”
This blog offers thoughts on how AI could be used within education to benefit both students and teachers. It is reproduced to accompany our event report: “AI and Education with the Goodison Group”
A half-day conference in May 2023 with the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on the relationship between local and central government.
With Scotland facing the challenges of a climate and ecological emergency, rising inequality and an ageing population, this seminar in April 2023 explored the idea of a just transition.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Energy.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Transport.
Scotland’s Futures Forum: the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank. Explore our work since 2007 by category: technology, economy, society, democracy and more.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Education.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Environment.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Local Government.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Society.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Justice.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Housing.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Economy.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Finance.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Health.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Drugs Policy.
This page links to all the creative reflections on our future that Scotland’s Futures Forum has supported.
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done technology.
With Scotland facing the challenges of a climate and ecological emergency, rising inequality and an ageing population, this seminar in February 2023 explored the idea of a wellbeing economy
A page with all of the work that Scotland’s Futures Forum has done on Democracy.
A review of Scotland’s Futures Forum’s work over 2022, bringing people together with the Scottish Parliament to explore democracy, education and tax.
A toolkit with seven key questions to scrutinise the design and use of artificial intelligence – for parliaments and others.
A contribution to the National Discussion on Scottish education from the Futures Forum and Goodison Group in Scotland.
Event in November 2022 with the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee on taxation in Scotland.
Blog by Alison Payne of Reform Scotland on Scotland’s tax system and the report “Taxing Times: Why Scotland needs new, more and better taxes”.