Leeds Institute for Societal Futures

Deputy Directors Briony Thomas and Tom Campbell reflect on why co-production, collaboration and diverse perspectives are essential to creating meaningful societal change. 🔗 bit.ly/4yYiK7f #co-production #collaboration #society @universityofleeds.bsky.social

📰 What's new at Leeds Institute for Societal Futures? 👉 Shape Tomorrow Together 2027 👉 Coaching for Social Impact Conference 👉 Creative Health MASc 👉 AI Ethics and Society MSc 👉 Opportunities and resources for changemakers 🔗 societal.leeds.ac.uk/news/october...

What if creativity wasn't an add-on to health, but part of the solution? The new Creative Health MASc explores how arts, culture & community action can tackle health inequalities and improve wellbeing. Working across disciplines & with partners turning ideas into action. Learn more: bit.ly/4rzehFe

Book our webinar, 2-3pm on 4 November to learn more about Shape Tomorrow Together's Connect, Co-Design, and Pitch programme. We're bringing together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, community organisations, businesses & people with lived experience to tackle society's biggest challenges.

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we're spotlighting Black Voices in the City, a co-produced project led by Synergi Leeds. Bringing together communities, researchers & partners, the project is developing a Black Mental Health Advocacy Model for Leeds to help tackle mental health inequalities. bit.ly/4yltsnp

University of Leeds is one of the host partners of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, a series of interactive events that share ideas and solutions from social science research. From climate education to brain health, there are workshops for everyone: societal.leeds.ac.uk/news/explore...

Melissa Kirby (LIHS) and Hannah Greenwood (Purple Patch Arts) are bringing together experts and people with learning disabilities to explore more inclusive conversations about capacity in research. Read more about Capacity Conversations and its aim to remove barriers to research participation:

On World Dyslexia Awareness Day, Professor Thomas Campbell reflects on how dyslexia shaped his work on inclusion, disability and social justice. Read the blog: bit.ly/4rRy56M #WorldDyslexiaAwarenessDay #Inclusion #SocietalFutures

The best solutions rarely come from one sector alone. Connect, Co-Design and Pitch 2027 brings together communities, organisations and researchers to shape new ideas around AI, health inequalities, social cohesion, and migration. 🔗Find out more bit.ly/4hRboeK #CoDesign #SocialInnovation

Changing the narrative around domestic abuse starts with education. This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we're highlighting Rebecca Shaw's programme helping young people recognise abuse and build healthier relationships. #DVAM2026 @universityofleeds.bsky.social bit.ly/3VsFxtb

🎓 Funded PhD opportunities now open at the University of Leeds through the ESRC White Rose DTP. Open to UK and international applicants. 📅 Deadline: 20 Jan 2027 📆 Info session: 8 Oct 2026 🔗 bit.ly/4hWK2ou #PhDOpportunity #ESRC #SocialScience @universityofleeds.bsky.social

What happens when people come together to tackle society's biggest challenges? Our latest bulletin reflects on a year of collaboration, innovation and action, and looks ahead to what's next. 🔗 bit.ly/3Tdp3o4 📌🌍 @universityofleeds.bsky.social @openresleeds.bsky.social #Societal #Partnerships

Meet some of the first students on our new AI Ethics and Society MSc. From Democracy at Stake to Bias & (In)Justice in AI Systems, they're already exploring some of the biggest questions facing society today. Find out more about the modules: bit.ly/4wsuNYp @universityofleeds.bsky.social #AIEthics

Great to see the @universityofleeds.bsky.social recognised in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027, for its commitment to tackling global challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration. Proud to see Leeds Institute for Societal Futures highlighted as part of that work. #TheTimes

A landmark week for LISF! We are welcoming the first students to our pioneering AI Ethics and Society MSc. Co-designed with experts, students and partners, the programme brings together disciplines from across the @universityofleeds.bsky.social to tackle one of the defining challenges of our time.

⚖️ How can we make the legal profession more accessible and inclusive? Alex Batesmith from the @universityofleeds.bsky.social discusses the Bar Diversity Hub's work to improve diversity and access across the Bar of England and Wales. 🎥 bit.ly/4xn6JHU #NationalInclusionWeek #Diversity #Inclusion

Building social cohesion requires investment in the people, organisations and spaces that bring communities together. 🥬 The Common Ground Award 2026-27 supports VCSE organisations across England working to reduce division and strengthen community resilience. Call opens 14/9. 🔗 tinyurl.com/yc8f7kaa

📢 Join the launch of the Earning + Learning campaign Hear from young people, the TUC, Young Women's Trust and University of Leeds researchers on improving employment rights for student workers. 📅 24 September, 12pm 💻 Free online event 👉 Reserve your place and find out more: tinyurl.com/4j58sa3y

💥We are delighted to reveal the projects from our first Shape Tomorrow Together programme. When researchers, communities, businesses, policymakers and practitioners come together, big changes can happen. Shape Tomorrow Together helps turn ideas into action. Find out more: bit.ly/4xp3gbO

💥 Day 2 of Shape Tomorrow Today is here. After last month’s inspiring collaborations, we’re turning ideas into action - co-designing projects, building partnerships, and tackling real-world challenges. This is where bold ideas start becoming reality. #research #society #partnerships #codesign

AI is transforming how knowledge is produced, but not always who benefits. At the Knowledge Futures Symposium, Tom Campbell & Dibya Roy will explore the future of knowledge production & what it means for equity, trust, and responsibility, aligning with our ethical AI challenge area. societal.ac.uk

💥Proud moment - congratulations to Professors Louise Waite & Briony Thomas on becoming inaugural Civic Exchange Fellows - recognising their leadership in uniting research, communities & policy to tackle shared challenges. Learn more: bit.ly/42ZPPBn #CivicEngagement #policy #Leeds

🤖 AI is only as ethical as the humans behind it. AI isn’t just technical - it’s ethical, political and deeply human. Our new MSc in AI, Ethics and Society at Leeds Institute for Societal Futures tackles bias, labour, accountability and global inequality in AI. Shape AI responsibly: bit.ly/4cKniUZ

Inspiring participation in SHAPE and STEAM starts in the community. 🌍🖌️🤖 ✂️ By bringing arts and engineering into spaces like Brownies groups, Briony Thomas is sparking curiosity, building confidence and widening access for young people beyond the university. 👉 bit.ly/4vuVtsc #Community #Impact

Seed Funding Opportunity from Leeds Institute for Societal Futures - to support bold, collaborative projects tackling major societal challenges. Join our upcoming workshops to spark new partnerships, shape ideas, and pitch for support. Full details: bit.ly/4szjqga #SeedFunding #Partnerships

Funding available for social science researchers at Leeds through the ESRC IAA to boost collaborations beyond academia. Drive real‑world impact, build partnerships & get projects moving. Read our case studies bit.ly/4atTISz 📨 societal@leeds.ac.uk 🔗societal.leeds.ac.uk Next call closes 3/6/26.

Seed Funding Opportunity from Leeds Institute for Societal Futures - to support bold, collaborative projects tackling major societal challenges. Join our upcoming workshops to spark new partnerships, shape ideas, and pitch for support. Full details: bit.ly/4szjqga #SeedFunding #Partnerships

Great panel this week hosted by Kirsty Wark ‘What’s Next? AI, skills and the future of the creative industries.’ Dibya Roy, Module Leader for Navigating AI, Creativity & Cultural Policy on the new MSc AI Ethics & Society, shared insights on AI and human creativity. More info:🔗https://bit.ly/4bj0i0p

The ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowship call for 2026 is open. Apply to hold your Fellowship at the University of Leeds (9 months full-time or 18 months part-time). EOIs due 17:00, 8 April 2026. Full details can be found here:🔗 bit.ly/4764PAj #WRDTP #Leeds #Postdoctoral #Fellowship

We are looking forward to meeting visitors at the University's Masters Discovery Fair on Wednesday! Come and find out more about Leeds Institute for Societal Futures, meet the team and learn about our new AI Ethics & Society MSc! #Masters #AIEthics #Study #Leeds #AI @universityofleeds.bsky.social

Looking for a fully funded PhD that connects your research with real‑world impact? Leeds has three ESRC WRDTP Collaborative Studentships in the ESRC pathway - Security, Conflict & Justice. Application deadline: 11 March 2026. More info: bit.ly/4rpwBiO #PhD #Funding @universityofleeds.bsky.social

Director of Leeds Institute for Societal Futures, Professor Louise Waite, shared expert commentary in The Times on the Anti‑Slavery Collective’s links to Princess Eugenie. Her research drives our challenge area Migration, Mobility & Belonging. Find out more here: bit.ly/4bgRJ5E #research #privilege

@universityofleeds.bsky.social staff – next ESRC Impact Acceleration Account deadline is 4/3/26. Explore our funding streams, with up to £15k available to boost the impact of your research. 🔗 Find out more on our SharePoint site bit.ly/4sAlMvJ 🪙 #Funding 👩‍👦 #Research 💥 #Impact #Accelerate #Change

AI is reshaping everything. The real question is who gets to shape AI? Our new AI Ethics & Society MSc invites future leaders to hold AI to account. Meet us at the University of Leeds Masters Discovery Fair on 11 March. 🔗 bit.ly/4axrc2g #EthicalAI #ResponsibleAI #HigherEducation #Leeds

Soon we'll be announcing dates for our sandpits to shape projects across our four challenge areas. We’re looking for voices from industry, NGOs, local gov and the third sector. Want to be involved? Sign up here👉 bit.ly/42zFpbO #Collaboration #Impact #Innovation #Leeds #Yorkshire #WorkWithUS

Funding available for social science researchers at Leeds through the ESRC IAA to boost collaborations beyond academia. Drive real‑world impact, build partnerships and get projects moving. Read our case studies 👉 bit.ly/4atTISz Next call closes 4 Mar 2026. @universityofleeds.bsky.social #Impact

Leeds awarded 3 funded WRDTP Collaborative Studentships for 26/27 in the Security, Conflict & Justice pathway. • Emergency planning + resilience • Electronic monitoring + probation • Civil resistance + peace processes Apply by 11 March 2026 More🔗 bit.ly/4rpwBiO #Funding #PhD #Research #Leeds

Thinking about a Masters?🎓 Meet Leeds Institute for Societal Futures @ the University of Leeds’ Masters Discovery Fair on 11 March, 10.30–3.30. Discover how PG study can help shape your future. Learn about our new AI Ethics and Society MSc launching Autumn '26: bit.ly/4bj0i0p #Masters #Leeds

Help shape the next phase of Leeds Institute for Societal Futures. Want to collaborate in our development sandpits & workshops? #EthicalAI #HealthInequalities #Migration #Polarisation #AIEthics & more – whether you're internal or external to University of Leeds, let us know! EOI form: bit.ly/4bj9iCB

How can research & real‑world partners spark faster impact? Our recent IAA showcase highlighted collaborations across industry, public sector and communities - all powered by Impact Acceleration Account funding. Want to work with our researchers? bit.ly/49Wa8mp #SocialImpact #KnowledgeExchange

We’re looking forward to Monday’s fully booked Joint Impact Acceleration Account Showcase, celebrating how IAA #funding is helping Leeds researchers drive real‑world impact. Find out more about our funding opportunities bit.ly/4qWpNc7 @openresleeds.bsky.social @universityofleeds.bsky.social

🎓Apply now for ESRC White Rose DTP PhD studentships commencing Oct '26 @universityofleeds.bsky.social 💠Application deadline: 21 Jan 2026 💠Open to UK & international applicants 💠Funding includes fees + stipend 💠Specialist awards available 👉 Further info: bit.ly/471gXBM #Funding #PhD #Studentships

@universityofleeds.bsky.social staff – next ESRC Impact Acceleration Account deadline is 4/3/26. Explore our funding streams, with up to £15k available to boost the impact of your research. 🔗 Find out more on our SharePoint site bit.ly/4sAlMvJ 🪙 Funding | 👩‍👦 Research Impact | 📈 Accelerate Change

Want to shape the future, not just watch it happen? Be the first to hear from us and get updates tailored to what matters most to you. Sign up now and join the movement for change: 🔗https://bit.ly/42zFpbO Because tomorrow isn’t waiting. Neither should you. #SocietalFutures #Leeds #Change

Want to see how research creates real-world impact? Join us at the Joint IAA Showcase @ the University of Leeds. Discover how Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) funding has amplified research projects across the university—turning ideas into action and innovation. Book your place here: bit.ly/3L36z5E

Professors Louise Waite and Hai‑Sui Yu introduce the Leeds Institute for Societal Futures - a bold and collaborative space for tackling society's biggest challenges. Big ideas start here. Watch the vision unfold. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bap9... #SocietalFutures #Leeds