The Scottish Parliament's think-tank

Our work on Society


  • A Wellbeing Economy?

    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


  • History, literature, language and a sustainable Scotland

    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


  • Scotland 2045: A Sustainable Society

    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 2030: 10 for 2030

    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: What do we want, and how can we get there?

    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

    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

    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…


  • Scotland 2030: Gaelic – what would success look like?

    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

    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…


  • Scotland 2030: A Sustainable Future for Urban Scotland

    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?

    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.


  • Leaders in Sport & Physical Activity: Judy Murray

    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

    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…


  • In An Enlightened Future by Susie Maguire

    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 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

    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…