Our mission is to combine academic scholarship and research with commercial relevance to explore future-orientated technological, economic, political, socio-cultural issues and trends on all scales from the local to the global.
What We Do
The Social Futures Observatory has at its heart a philosophy of collaborative, community-based research, drawing together a wide range of researchers and practitioners to think about and explore the challenges facing society over the next 10 years and beyond. Supported by multi-disciplinary groups of academics and commentators, we work closely with individuals and organisations actively involved in initiating change and operating in changing environments to help provide clear accounts of what actions taken today may imply for longer term futures.
How We Work
Our network of academics and practitioners provides a broad community of interests which enables the generation of ideas and subjects for debate and study. For current research areas see here
The SFO translates these themes into research projects that provide continuing feedback on the themes and topics being considered. For current projects see here
Our structure offers a creative attitude towards research, encouraging the widest opportunities for collaboration and flexibility. Research projects are funded from both commercial and non-commercial sources, providing the opportunity to match funding with the scope and nature of the issues to be explored.
Who We Work With
The Social Futures Observatory has at its heart a philosophy of inclusion. Within SFO we offer a space where academic researchers and serious social commentators, often in conjunction with commercial, government and non-government organisations, can work on a variety of research programmes as part of a broad multi-disciplinary community.
For more about our partners, please see here
Our Team
SFO core and associate members cover a wide range of commercial experience and academic expertise.
For more about our people, please see here