Societies face multiple long-term policy challenges that range from the existential, such as climate change, to the more rudimentary like infrastructure management. No doubt, we are surrounded by policy decisions about the future. In such a world, are our democratic institutions well set up to deal with these decisions? The Problem of Short-Termism in Policy Making Short-termism in public policy refers…
20 Years of Impact 2025 marked a significant milestone for Scotland’s Futures Forum. Over two decades, the Forum has served as a space for long-term thinking, encouraging discussion on Scotland’s possible futures. This anniversary provided an opportunity not only to celebrate past achievements but also to imagine what the next 20 years might hold. Readers…
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…
Watch Deputy Presiding Officer Liam McArthur MSP in conversation with Danny Dorling, Professor of Human Geography at the University of Oxford and the UK’s best-known social geographer. In his latest book, The Next Crisis, What We Think About the Future, Professor Dorling uses the most up-to-date research to redraw our assumptions about where our greatest threats come from and solutions that…
Will AI support or supplant human participation in politics? As AI tools become embedded in political life, from campaign chatbots to false biographies and AI-generated avatars, how do we ensure that AI doesn’t become a disruptive force in politics, and that democracy remains human at its core? Exactly who will maintain a balance between automation and accountability, and how do we address the risks…
Hear from leading experts as they discuss the future of health in Scotland, focusing on cutting-edge innovations in preventive care and wellbeing. Watch our panel share insights on how technology, policy, and community-led health strategies are shaping the future of healthcare. This session, from the Festival of Politics 2025, also featured an audience Q&A with the panellists…
It’s been 30 years since the controversial reorganisation of local government in Scotland. Is the current structure fit for the next 30 years? At the Festival of Politics 2025 our panel reflected on historical lessons and explored innovative ideas for reshaping local governance. Did the creation of the Scottish Parliament come at the expense of strengthening local…
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.
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 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”.
A forum debate in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 8 November 2022 on Scottish education as part of the National Discussion on Education.
Podcast of “Data Vultures Destroying Democracy” debate, from the 2022 Festival of Politics, on the increasing role of data in our society and the implications for democracy.
A Futures Forum debate at the Festival of Politics on 11 August 2022 on disinformation, new media and democracy. In partnership with the CPG on Tibet.
An update from the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank on its work in summer 2022. This includes information on the Festival of Politics in August.
A summary of the Futures Forum’s work on the future of democracy from 2021 and 2022: Environment, Technology and Participation.
This report uses events at COP26 to identify a pathway for Parliaments in tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
This seminar in June 2022 focused on what happens when decisions made by algorithm don’t work as intended: who is accountable and how are they held accountable?
A short review of the responses of Parliaments around the world to the development of artificial intelligence [AI].
A discussion on 7 June 2022 with the Goodison Group in Scotland on building a compelling vision for Scottish education.
An update from the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank on its work in spring 2022. This includes a chance to share your views on what we should be doing.
To mark Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2022, the Futures Forum asked several Gaelic speakers to share their views of the future. These are their blogs.