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Scotland’s Futures Forum: the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank. Explore our work since 2007 by category: technology, economy, society, democracy and more.
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A Wellbeing Economy?
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
Winter Update: Review of 2022
A review of Scotland’s Futures Forum’s work over 2022, bringing people together with the Scottish Parliament to explore democracy, education and tax.
Scrutinising the Use of Artificial Intelligence: A Toolkit
A toolkit with seven key questions to scrutinise the design and use of artificial intelligence – for parliaments and others.
Let’s Talk Scottish Education: A Contribution to the National Discussion
A contribution to the National Discussion on Scottish education from the Futures Forum and Goodison Group in Scotland.
Frameworks and Forecasts: Taxation in Scotland
Event in November 2022 with the Scottish Parliament Finance Committee on taxation in Scotland.
Why Scotland needs radical tax reform
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”.
Let’s Talk Scottish Education
A forum debate in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 8 November 2022 on Scottish education as part of the National Discussion on Education.
Information and Disinformation
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.
Summer 2022 Update
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.
Democracy 2045: Challenges and Opportunities
A summary of the Futures Forum’s work on the future of democracy from 2021 and 2022: Environment, Technology and Participation.
COP26: Code Red for Parliaments
This report uses events at COP26 to identify a pathway for Parliaments in tackling the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
Artificial Intelligence and Accountability
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?
Parliamentary Responses to Artificial Intelligence
A short review of the responses of Parliaments around the world to the development of artificial intelligence [AI].
Education Futures: Building a vision for Scottish education
A discussion on 7 June 2022 with the Goodison Group in Scotland on building a compelling vision for Scottish education.
Spring 2022 Update
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.
Gaelic Week 2022
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.
Highland Visual Arts in the 2040s: A Look Back
A blog by artist and teacher Críostóir de Piondargás on Gaelic visual arts. Written originally in Gaelic for Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2022, this blog imagines a successful sector in 2045.
Rewilding
In this blog, Tòmas MacAilpein looks at rewilding – in the Highlands, in the Lowlands for nature and people. Read this blog in Gaelic… I remember walking through a bright wood and into a dark…
2035
A story by Iain Finlay MacLeod about Scotland in 2035 and beyond. Written originally in Gaelic for Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2022, “2035” is a darkly comic tale of our future.
The Lights on in the Islands
A blog by Rhoda Meek, a crofter and businesswoman, on Scotland in 2045. Written originally in Gaelic for Seachdain na Gàidhlig in 2022, the blog explores how housing is central to islands communities.
There’s power in the community
In this blog, Green Instagrammer Iona Whyte tells us how community power and environmental initiatives can come together for the good of Scotland in 2045. Read this blog in Gaelic… Scotland and our public are…
Green and brown
In this blog, broadcaster and ‘gardener of sorts’ John McDiarmid looks at how allotments contribute to community, wellbeing and the environment in the city, and the benefits of growing our own food. Read this blog…
The 2045 legacy of the Queen of Gaelic Song
In this blog, musician and broadcaster Mary Ann Kennedy looks back at the life of renowned Gaelic singer Jessie MacLachlan and asks what we can learn from her for the future. Read this blog in…
Windows on the world
In this blog, writer and publisher Màiri Kidd looks at how the translation of literature between languages – large and small – can give us other windows on the world. Read this blog in Gaelic……
Seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic…
Ealain-lèirsinneach na Gàidhealtachd anns na 2040an: Sùil Air Ais
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic…
Uinneagan air an t-saoghal
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic…
Ath-fhiadhachadh nam Sgìre Fhìn
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic…
2035
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic…
Solais laiste nan Eilean
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic…
Tha cumhachd anns a’ choimhearsnachd
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic…
Governing Now for Future Generations
If a week is a long time in politics, how can Parliaments and Governments take decisions for our long-term future? This seminar in March 2022 explored what Scotland can learn from Wales.
Dìleab Banrigh nan Òran 2045
Gus seachdain na Gàidhlig 2022 a chomharrachadh, iarr Fòram Alba air Thoiseach air grunn luchd-labhairt Gàidhlig na beachdan aca a thoirt dhuinn mun àm ri teachd. Tha am pròiseact, a chaidh a ruith le taic…
Seachdain na Gàidhlig: Views of the Future
To mark Seachdain na Gàidhlig (Gaelic week) this year, the Futures Forum will publish a series of Gaelic blogs specially commissioned for the occasion. In our event on the future of Gaelic in 2019, one participant shared…
Education Futures: Classrooms of the Future
Round-table discussion in March 2022 with Scottish Parliament Education Committee: How will and should the learning experience in schools continue to change alongside developments in society and technology?
Education Futures: Who should run Scotland’s schools?
Round-table discussion in February 2022 with Scottish Parliament Education Committee: In a time of change, who should run Scotland’s schools?
Code Red: Parliaments & the Climate and Ecological Emergencies
This COP26 event asked parliamentarians, advisers, citizens & academics to explore how Parliaments must evolve in the context of a Code Red for humanity.
History, literature, language and a sustainable Scotland
After taking part in a 2021 Festival of Politics event on Scotland as a sustainable society in 2045, writer James Robertson shares his reflections on our future
Autumn 2021 update
An update from the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank from autumn 2021. It includes information on the Festival of Politics and new directors.
Scotland 2045: A Sustainable Society
Online discussion from September 2021: What does a sustainable Scotland look like? How can we build a society that works for all our citizens? What changes do we need to make as individuals?
Scotland’s Climate Assembly: A call to action
18 August 2021 – Online seminar with Scotland’s Climate Assembly: How should Scotland change to tackle the climate emergency in an effective and fair way?
Summer 2021 Update
Update on board changes and plans from Scotland’s Futures Forum from summer 2021.
Review of Session 5
Scotland’s Futures Forum is the Scottish Parliament’s futures think-tank. Our work is designed to inform MSPs and enable them to consider the effects of decisions taken today on Scotland’s long-term future. In the fifth session…
Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland: Doing Politics Differently
Can we do politics differently? This seminar in January 2021 explored what the Scottish Parliament can learn from the work of the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland.
Future Schooling, Education and Learning: Where next for education in Scotland?
Conference asking participants to take a step back from the day-to-day challenges of Covid-19 and consider the future: where next for education in Scotland?
Where next for education in Scotland? Videos and additional material
As part of our conference with the Goodison Group in Scotland “What’s next for education in Scotland?” , we were keen to highlight the great work and innovation already possible in Scottish education and learning,…
Review of the year: 2020
2020 has been a year like no other. Often, it has been hard for many of us to look beyond the end of the week, let alone into the long-term future. At Scotland’s Futures Forum,…
Scotland 2030 Programme
The Scotland 2030 Programme has been an investigation into the kind of country we want Scotland to be in 2030 and beyond. Through it, Scotland’s Futures Forum has explored how Scottish culture and society is…
Scotland 2030: 10 for 2030
Throughout the Scotland 2030 Programme, our event participants shared their thoughts and ideas on how to approach the future. These are 10 ideas for the Scottish Parliament to consider – with some background information to…
Scotland 2030: Creative Reflections
Stories, artwork and other creative reflections on Scotland’s future produced during the Futures Forum’s Scotland 2030 Programme
‘Positive view’ needed to tackle Scotland’s challenges of the next decade
Scotland’s Futures Forum, the Scottish Parliament’s think-tank, is today publishing the findings of its Scotland 2030 Programme, looking at what sort of country we might become, and what our response might be to the great…
Alba 2030 Sealladh Brosnachail air an Àm ri Thighinn
Tha Prògram Alba 2030 air a bhith na rannsachadh air an t-seòrsa dùthaich a tha sinn a’ miannachadh a bhios ann an Alba ann an 2030 agus nas fhaide air adhart. Troimhe, tha Fòram Alba…
Scotland 2030: What do we want, and how can we get there?
Thursday 19 November 2020, 7pm to 8.30pm, online and free As Scotland’s Futures Forum publishes its report into Scotland in 2030 and beyond, join an expert panel at the Scottish Parliament’s Festival of Politics to…
Scotland 2030: Empathetic, Equitable and Joyful
After her participation in a 2020 Festival of Politics event on Scotland in 2030, chaired by Presiding Officer Ken Macintosh MSP, writer and presenter Tomiwa Folorunso shares her reflections on the next 10 years. Scotland’s Futures…
Scotland 2030: Children’s rights must be at the heart of all that we do
Ahead of his participation in a Festival of Politics panel discussion on Scotland in 2030, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland Bruce Adamson shares his reflections on the next 10 years. Planning ahead would…
Festival of Politics 2020 – looking forward to 2030
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…
RESEARCH REPORT: “Stealing Our Cities” – City space being overwhelmingly used for private cars
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…
Stealing our cities: land-use analysis
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…
Chrysalis by Laura Scotland
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.
The Thief and the Watchdog by Katya Bacica
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.
Saplings by Sophie Charlotte Baumert
A story by Sophie Charlotte Baumert about Scotland in 2030. Written in 2020, “Saplings” follows a school trip into the countryside.
Scotland 2030 Programme: Short Story Competition
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…
Scotland 2030: Future Schooling, Education and Learning
What could schooling, education and learning look like in 2030 and beyond? Read the Schooling, Education and Learning report Starting with this question, the Goodison Group in Scotland and Scotland’s Futures Forum have been exploring…
Scotland 2030: Future Schooling, Education & Learning – Report & Film
Tuesday 10 March 2020, at the Scottish Parliament Read the Schooling, Education and Learning report To mark the publication of the Futures Forum and Goodison Group in Scotland report exploring the future of education in…
Finnish Lessons: Olli-Pekka Heinonen
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…
Scotland 2030: Carbon Positive Jobs
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,…
Scotland 2030: Leadership in Education
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…
Spring 2020: Upcoming Events
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…
Scotland 2030: Future Education Scenario
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…
Review of the year: 2019
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…
Scotland 2030: Gaelic – what would success look like?
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
Alba 2030: A’ Ghàidhlig – Buaidh is Piseach
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…
Artificial Intelligence: A Misunderstood Revolution
Wednesday 11 September 2019, at the Scottish Parliament In conjunction with Reform Scotland, the Futures Forum held a seminar with writer and journalist Tom Chivers on artificial intelligence. The seminar covered how AI is developing…
Our Future Scotland
#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…
Our Future Scotland @ the Scottish Parliament’s 20th Birthday Party
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…
Scotland 2030: A Sustainable Future for Urban Scotland
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…
Scotland’s cities: retrofitting or new urban developments?
A blog by Felix Esche, a work experience student in June 2019, on the future of our cities.
A Nordic Rethink: Where Next for Nordic Horizons?
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….
Scotland 2030: Leadership in Education
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…
Leaders in Sport & Physical Activity: Judy Murray
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…
Leaders in Sport & Physical Activity: David Duke
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…
Digital Democracy: Engagement and Parliament
Seminar in May 2019 on how the Scottish Parliament can best engage with citizens in a digital age. Features podcast and presentations.
In An Enlightened Future by Susie Maguire
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 2030: A Sustainable Future for Rural Scotland
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…
Leaders in Sport & Physical Activity: Shelley Kerr
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…
Climate Change with the IPCC
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.
Scotland 2030: A Citizen’s Income?
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?
The Future of Feminism with Helen Lewis
Short report of event from March 2019 with Helen Lewis on the Future of Feminism with Monica Lennon MSP.
Scotland 2030: Leadership in Education
View the Leadership in Education report 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,…