Scotland 2030: Greetings from a Futures Fellow
By Eleanore Widger, University of Dundee and @NellWidger As I write this I can see, to the right of my computer screen, the gorse-covered north-west side of an extinct volcano, a huge slab of rock…
Our work
New Kid on the Block
By Rob Littlejohn, Head of Business at Scotland’s Futures Forum Although I’ve titled this blogpost “New kid on the block”, I can’t pretend that I’m that new, having been in the privileged position of Head of…
Digital Democracy: Opportunities and Challenges for Scotland
Seminar with Nesta Scotland in February 2017 on what Scotland can learn from digital democracy pioneers throughout Europe.
Automation in the Scottish Economy
The growing level of automation in Scotland’s economy and the implications for our workforce was the subject of a Scotland’s Futures Forum’s Breakfast Seminar in 2017. Hosted by Richard Leonard MSP on behalf of the…
Fostering Cultures of Innovation
Workshop in November 2016 to support the SUII programme on Fostering Cultures of Innovation, featuring video presentations of each project.
Intergenerational Learning
With Baby Boomers, Generation X and Millennials all sharing the workplace, this forum debate in September 2016 focused on intergenerational learning.
Equity and Scottish Education
If we look over the horizon to 2020, what would an equitable education look like? This GGiS forum in September 2015 focused on equity in education and improving attainment.
Technology as a learning environment
This forum debate with the Goodison Group in Scotland in March 2015 explored learning environments, with a focus on technology.
IRISS – Imagining the Future Scenarios
What will community, support and social services mean and look like in 2025? Imagining the Future Scenarios There is absolutely no reason to expect that by 2025 social services in Scotland will look the same…
Business Succession: the sustainability of family businesses and SMEs
New research reveals up to £1.23 billion tax gain by increasing the number of successfully transferred SMEs and Family Businesses in Scotland Research demonstrates how SMEs and Family Businesses can significantly grow the Scottish economy….
By 2025, Scotland will be regarded as a world-leading learning nation
As part of Scotland’s Futures Forum strategic link with the Goodison Group in Scotland in the area of learning and skills, our organisations undertook a project on Scotland as a world-leading learning nation. This ambitious…
Realising the Potential of Engaged Universities
The Edinburgh Beltane Beacon for Public Engagement held an event on 15 June 2011, focusing on ‘Realising the Potential of Engaged Universities’.
The Oxfam Humankind Index for Scotland
Report from a conversation café in June 2011 held as part of the development of the Oxfam Humankind Index.
Facing up to Climate Change
In early March 2011, Scotland’s Futures Forum along with Edinburgh Beltane hosted two seminars to consider the findings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s report ‘Facing up to climate change: breaking the barriers to a…
Women in Prison
Increasing numbers of women are being imprisoned in Scotland (and other comparable jurisdictions), and this cannot be explained by rates of offending or changes in the nature of offences. The Scottish Universities Insight Institute recently…
Social Impact Bonds
Seminar in November 2010 with public, private and voluntary sectors on an innovative way of funding solutions to social problems.
The Future of British Sign Language in an Inclusive Scotland
As part of the 2010-11 seminar series, in partnership with Edinburgh Beltane, a Futures Forum was held on 15 November 2010 bringing together around 70 delegates to explore what is understood by ‘an inclusive Scotland…
Scotland: Sustainable Communities in 2030
A scenario project from 2010 examining what sustainable communities might look like in Scotland in 2030. Features report and scenarios video.
The Future of Edinburgh’s Cultural Sector
In 2010, Scotland’s Futures Forum and the City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture and Sport Division engaged in a short-term project to explore the future of the city’s arts and culture sector. The purpose of the…
Scotland’s Public Finances
Project in 2010 looking at challenges to Scotland’s public finances from budget constraints, technological change and shifting relationships.
Low Carbon Scotland Report
Futures Forum seminar in March 2010 on realising a low carbon economy. Key messages include a lack of systemic policy making and Scotland’s unique opportunities
National Trust for Scotland: a Sustainable Future
A futures discussion paper on the National Trust for Scotland produced in 2010 for the Reid Review.
What might a Scottish welfare system look like in 2020?
Seminar in September 2009 on what might a Scottish welfare system look like in 2020? With Swedish expert Prof Joakim Palme
Poverty and Inequalities in Scotland
Conference in May 2009 on poverty and inequalities in Scotland. A decade after devolution, what has improved and what are the priorities for the future?
Approaches to Alcohol and Drugs in Scotland – A Question of Architecture
Report from 2008 from a project on how we can reduce the damage caused by alcohol and drug misuse by half by 2025.
Growing Older and Wiser Together
Report from 2007 from a futures project taking a positive approach to an ageing society. Includes key questions and three scenarios for discussion