Scotland’s Futures Forum is delighted to partner with the Scottish Parliament on its first virtual Festival of Politics, which takes place from Thursday 19 November to Saturday 21 November 2020. With events moving online as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire Festival is free to attend. As the Futures Forum brings to a…
The Scottish Parliament’s think tank, Scotland’s Futures Forum, has today published analysis which shows the large amount of space private cars take up in Scotland’s cities. The aim of the project was to look creatively at the role of transport in climate change by assessing how much space is dedicated to private vehicles in comparison…
Land-use analysis of three sites in two Scottish cities shows that private cars are taking more than their fair share of the available space. The research was conducted by Marli de Jongh, a PhD student at the University of Glasgow, during a policy internship funded by SAGES, the Scottish Alliance for Geoscience, Environment and Society….
A story by Laura Scotland about Scotland in 2030. Written in 2020, “Chrysalis” explores the experience of a new parent in a world laden with technology.
A story by Sophie Charlotte Baumert about Scotland in 2030. Written in 2020, “Saplings” follows a school trip into the countryside.
A story by Katya Bacica about Scotland in 2030. Written in 2020, “The Thief and the Watchdog” follows a journey in a very different Edinburgh.
As part of the Futures Forum’s Scotland 2030 Programme – our aspirational exploration of Scotland’s culture and society in 2030 and beyond – we were delighted to support a short story competition to help us imagine the future. We teamed up with Cymera, Scotland’s Festival of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Writing, and Shoreline of…
What could schooling, education and learning look like in 2030 and beyond? Starting with this question, the Goodison Group in Scotland and Scotland’s Futures Forum have been exploring education, schooling and learning in 2030 and beyond. This Schooling, Education and Learning report presents a scenario of what education might look like in Scotland in 2030…
Tuesday 10 March 2020, at the Scottish Parliament To mark the publication of the Futures Forum and Goodison Group in Scotland report exploring the future of education in Scotland, leading figures from Scottish education joined pupils from Glasgow for an event on 10 March 2020 to discuss how schooling might change by 2030. The Schooling,…
Wednesday 4 March 2020, at the Scottish Parliament In conjunction with the David Hume Institute, Scotland’s Futures Forum held a seminar in March 2020 with Olli-Pekka Heinonen, the Director General at the Finnish National Agency for Education. Olli-Pekka spoke about the Finnish approach to education and how it is preparing its people to meet the…
Wednesday 5 February 2020, at the Scottish Parliament What jobs will there be in a net zero Scotland? With a climate emergency to respond to while new technology pushes at boundaries and disrupts our lives, many jobs in Scotland will change or disappear completely. New jobs will also emerge. How can we ensure these jobs…
Tuesday 10 September and Thursday 30 January 2020, at the Scottish Parliament Open the Scotland 2030 Leadership in Education report Scotland’s Futures Forum and the Goodison Group in Scotland continued their exploration of education in the future with two events on leadership in education. The events brought together leading figures from education for interactive workshops…
Scotland’s Futures Forum continues its exploration of our future with a series of events in spring 2020. Covering the future of education, the impact of innovation and sustainability on the jobs we do, and the shared ethics and values that will shape our political decision making, these events all take a long-term perspective on current…
With the Goodison Group in Scotland, the Futures Forum has been investigating the future for schooling, education and learning in Scotland, looking to 2030 and beyond. In a series of interactive seminars, participants from a wide range of backgrounds, including education, academia, government and business, have been asked to consider our aspirations for education and…
2019 has been a busy year for Scotland’s Futures Forum. We’ve explored our shared future in urban and rural communities, hosted discussions on transformative ideas like a citizen’s income and a wellbeing economy, and welcomed the best of Scotland’s sporting leadership into Parliament to talk about their journey. Read our review of 2019
What would success look like in for Gaelic in Scotland by 2030? This half-day conference in December 2019 explored the future for one of Scotland’s official languages. Features videos and event report
A’ Ghàidhlig – cò ris a bhiodh soirbheachadh coltach? Dè a bu chòir a bhith an dàn don Ghàidhlig ann an Alba? Cò ris a bhiodh soirbheachadh coltach ann an 2030? Aithisg na co-labhairt Leugh an aithisg air fad: Bhidiothan Coimhead air bhideo an tachartais: Geàrr-chunntas bho Oifigear Gàidhlig na Pàrlamaid, Alasdair MacCaluim air beachdan…
Is e Fòram Alba air Thoiseach a’ bhuidheann-bheachdachaidh mun àm ri teachd aig Pàrlamaid na h-Alba. Tha sinn ag obair air bunait nach eil a’ bualadh air pàrtaidhean gus rannsachadh a chur air adhart agus deasbad a bhrosnachadh mu na dùbhlanan is na cothroman mu choinneamh na h-Alba san ùine fhada. Tha e nar n-amas…
This seminar in 2019 with writer Tom Chivers explored how artificial intelligence [AI] is developing and changing our lives. Includes report and podcast.
#OurFutureScotland challenges everyone – from the First Minister and other party leaders, to leading business and technology figures, and award-winning authors and artists – to share their aspirations for the kind of country they want Scotland to be in the future. Check out the video to see what our First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Makar Jackie…
Saturday 29 June 2019, at the Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament opened its doors to the people of Scotland for an afternoon of celebration to mark its 20th birthday. As part of the celebrations the Futures Forum held a debate on what life, and the Parliament, might be like in 10 or 20 years time….
Wednesday 26 June 2019, at the Scottish Parliament Life in Scotland’s towns and cities is forecast to change significantly in the coming decades. Cities are set to continue to grow, facing the challenge of providing housing and services for new populations, while the role and place of towns in Scotland remains uncertain as traditional high…
A blog by Felix Esche, a work experience student in June 2019, on the future of our cities.
Thursday 20 June 2019, at the Scottish Parliament Since 2010, Nordic Horizons has brought six Nordic experts a year to Scotland to share their experience and expertise from some of the world’s most successful countries. It has covered issues as varied as Finnish Prisons Policy, Norwegian Outdoor Kindergarten, the Icelandic Crowd-sourced Constitution, Swedish Voting Systems…
Tuesday 11 June 2019, at the Scottish Parliament This seminar, chaired by Sir Andrew Cubie, was the second in a series of debates focusing on leadership in education, particularly leadership of change. It featured a presentation from Neil McLennan, Director of Leadership programmes at the University of Aberdeen, a small-group workshop session and reflections from…
On Wednesday 5 June 2019, former Fed Cup Captain Judy Murray spoke at the Scottish Parliament as part of the seminar series with Leaders in Sport and Physical Activity hosted by the Futures Forum and the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe). Judy reflected on her experience of coaching in tennis in Scotland, the lessons she’s…
On Wednesday 29 May 2019, the founder and chief executive of Street Soccer, David Duke, spoke at the Scottish Parliament about his journey through sport and the lessons he has learned along the way. Organised by the Futures Forum and the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (SPICe), this seminar was part of a series reflecting on…
Seminar in May 2019 on how the Scottish Parliament can best engage with citizens in a digital age. Features podcast and presentations.
A reflection by Susie Maguire on the potential effect of a citizen’s income. Written in 2019, “In An Enlightened Future” charts the dream of someone living in a world with a citizen’s income.
Scotland’s sparsely-populated areas are predicted to lose a quarter of their population by 2046, with the working age population likely to shrink by 33%. At the same time, the challenge of enabling the development that is needed to sustain rural communities is delicately balanced with the environmental imperatives of conserving our environment and protecting its…
On Wednesday 8 May 2019, the Head Coach of the Scotland Women’s National Team, Shelley Kerr, spoke at the Parliament in a seminar chaired by the Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh MSP. Podcast Listen to a podcast of Shelley’s presentation here: Shelley spoke about how she had to battle to play football as a girl growing…
Seminar in April 2019 with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) looking at science, policy and solutions on a global scale. Features a podcast.
Panel discussion at the Scottish Parliament in 2019 on a citizen’s income or universal basic income. How attractive – and affordable – is it as a policy?
Short report of event from March 2019 with Helen Lewis on the Future of Feminism with Monica Lennon MSP.
Scotland’s Futures Forum continues its exploration of life, society and culture in Scotland in the future through a series of events tackling subjects from the potential for a citizen’s income, the future for rural Scotland and the role of leadership in education. All these events take place in the Scottish Parliament and are open to…
On Tuesday 12 March 2019, the Futures Forum and the Goodison Group in Scotland continued their exploration of schooling and learning in the future. Bringing together representatives from business, government and education, this event focused on leadership in education and featured a contribution from Professor Graham Donaldson. The seminar built on previous events from which…
Jennifer Wallace, Carnegie UK Trust, @Jen_CarnegieUK Earlier this month I attended a Scotland’s Futures Forum seminar on a wellbeing economy at the Scottish Parliament. The event, a collaboration between the Futures Forum, the Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee and the newly formed Wellbeing Economy Alliance (WEAll), heard from a range of thinkers and doers…
Report of a seminar in February 2019 with the Wellbeing Economy Alliance on Scotland as a wellbeing economy.
How can housing meet the needs of older people in the future? This seminar in January 2019 explored the future for housing with an ageing population. Features podcast of presentation.
In 2019, the Futures Forum and the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) hosted a series of seminars hearing from leaders in sport and physical activity. Each was asked to share the lessons they’ve learned in their journey through sport, along with their thoughts about the future. The seminars were for MSPs, MSP staff and Parliament…
Scotland’s Futures Forum is delighted to announce our Spring 2019 Programme of Events. As part of our Scotland 2030 Programme, we’ll be hosting discussions looking at the future for housing with an ageing population, and the future for further and higher education in 2030 and beyond. We’ll also consider the question of whether a citizen’s…
This seminar in December 2018 brought together experts from Denmark and Norway to share good practice on drugs policy.
16 November 2018, at the Scottish Parliament In conjunction with the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee, the Futures Forum brought together a diverse range of people to consider the future for social care for older people in Scotland. The seminar was chaired by the convener of the Health and Sport Committee, Lewis Macdonald MSP….
Future Schooling, Education and Learning: Goodison Group in Scotland Forum Debate Tuesday 13 November 2018, at the Scottish Parliament The Goodison Group in Scotland and the Futures Forum continued their exploration of schooling and learning in the future, with a focus on secondary education in 2030. Read the event report here: Future Education: Secondary Schools…
Tuesday 6 November 2018, at the Scottish Parliament The Futures Forum concluded its investigation into life in the future with a discussion on death and dying in 2030 and beyond. Chaired by the Parliament’s Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Ken Macintosh MSP, this session considered our approach to death and dying in Scotland, now and in the…
Half day conference in November 2018 with the Finance and Constitution Committee on governance in the UK after Brexit. Features event report.
Wednesday 3 October 2018, at the Scottish Parliament The Futures Forum continued its investigation into life in the future with a discussion on growing older in 2030 and beyond. Chaired by Ross Greer MSP, this session focused on the role of older people in our society and the aspirations we have for our later years….
Artworks commissioned in 2018 by the Futures Forum from Fiona J MacLellan as part of a paid internship. The pieces represented the growing body of work in our Scotland 2030 Programme.
This seminar in September 2018 featured a presentation by Greg Berman, Director of the Center for Court Innovation in New York, on its approach to smart justice.
Hello and welcome to the Futures Forum’s bulletin for autumn 2018! With the Scottish Parliament having returned from the summer recess, we look back on a busy summer for us and forward to an exciting autumn of events in our Scotland 2030 Programme. Autumn Programme of Events Read more about Scotland 2030: Growing Older, Wednesday 3…
This seminar in September 2018 used Nourish Scotland’s vision of a sustainable food system in 2030 to prompt a discussion on food in Scotland. Features video of presentations and report.
Are autonomous vehicles the future? How well developed are they already, what is likely to happen next, and how can Scotland exploit the opportunities they present? Scotland’s Futures Forum was delighted to work with Ivan McKee MSP and various partners including Jacobs to explore the potential presented by the development of autonomous vehicles and the…
On 4 July 2018, the Futures Forum held a seminar on the opportunities for Glasgow from the development of autonomous vehicles. Hosted by Glasgow City Council and produced in conjunction with Jacobs and Glasgow Chambers of Commerce, the event was chaired by Councillor Jen Layden and featured a keynote introduction from Ivan McKee MSP, Minister for…
On 21 June 2018, Scotland’s Futures Forum hosted a seminar on the opportunities and challenges presented by the development of autonomous vehicles. A panel discussion chaired by Gail Ross MSP, Deputy Convener of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, saw contributions from four industry experts: Sarah McCartney and Kate Carpenter from Jacobs Ltd Iain Forbes,…
Future Schooling, Education and Learning: Goodison Group in Scotland Forum Debate On Tuesday 19 June 2018, the Goodison Group in Scotland and the Futures Forum continued their exploration of schooling and learning in the future, with a focus on primary education in 2030. Dylan and Alexander from the Children’s Parliament outlining the vision of a…
On Friday 15 June 2018, the Futures Forum, the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Constitution Committee and the Royal Society of Edinburgh brought together a group of experts from throughout Scotland to consider the long-term sustainability of Scotland’s public finances. Read A Sustainable Future for Scotland’s Public Finances Event Report The seminar took place on the…
Tuesday 5 June 2018 at the Scottish Parliament The Futures Forum’s investigation into Scotland’s culture and society in the future continued with a discussion of our working lives in 2030. Read Scotland 2030 – Work in a Gender Equal Country Event Report Participants heard a presentation from Jo Salter, a director at PwC (and the…
In partnership with the University of Aberdeen, on 25 May 2018, the Futures Forum held an event on the aspirations for our future in Aberdeen and the North East. Using the Our Future Scotland video as a prompt, an expert panel provided their perspective on the opportunities for the North East in particular and Scotland in…
“Our Future Scotland” challenges everyone – from the First Minister and other party leaders, to leading business and technology figures, and award-winning authors and artists – to share their aspirations for the kind of country they want Scotland to be in the future. The film was screened at the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 16 May…