Future Forums

Future Forum is the British Science Association's (BSA) programme which gives young people a chance to have their voices heard on issues involving science.

The next generation are tasked with solving the greatest challenges in our time, yet our research has found that they do not feel able to have their say on the issues affecting their future and they don't feel spoken to by politicians, scientists and other influential figures.

Future Forum provides organisations, who want to better serve young people, the opportunity to find out more about what they value.

Our reports

Science & creativity

In 2022, Future Forum focused on young people's views on creativity and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and the role of both in solving the issues of tomorrow.

The survey and workshops were conducted in partnership with UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, with support from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

Download the report

Genetic research

Future Forums in 2020 were funded by the Wellcome Centre for Human Genetics, with the aim to start a conversation between young people and researchers about genetic research – current and future – and its potential social impact.

The workshops focused on three main areas: COVID-19, genetics research
and medical data processing.

Download the report

Industrial Strategy

In 2019, we ran four Future Forums (in Glasgow, Gateshead, Bury St Edmunds and Lambeth), funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), to understand the views of young people on the four 'Grand Challenges' from the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy (AI & Data, Ageing Society, Clean Growth, and Future of Mobility).

This report gives an insight into the project, and their thoughts on the topics.

Download the report

The future of cities

Our pilot event (2017) was run in partnership with Affinity Sutton and
Oxfam, and explored the issues of the future of cities, innovation
and inequality.

Download the report

For more information on the Future Forum programme and youth voice work at the BSA, please get in touch at [email protected]

Latest

Community Buddies Grants 2023 Guidelines

The Community Buddies Grants Programme aims to support community leaders and researchers who have been part of the Community Buddies Programme to further develop their existing relationship and to co-create a project that is mutually beneficial and responds to a local need.
Our British Science Week 2023 round-up

That's a wrap on British Science Week 2023! But don't worry - there are still plenty of resources available to keep the science engagement going. We've rounded them up here, with all the links and info you need.
The Ideas Fund awards £291,286 to support community-researcher collaborations

The Ideas Fund has awarded £291,286 to organisations in Hull, North West Northern Ireland and the Highlands and Islands of Scotland to address the systemic issues that community groups and researchers can face to working together.
'Question Time' launches British Science Week 2023

A ‘Question Time’ event launched British Science Week on 9 March 2023, with panellists including George Freeman MP (Minister for the Department of Science, Innovation & Technology), an A-Level student from Essex and chaired by Anne-Marie Imafidon.

Science engagement mapping

We are collating and analysing data around science engagement to further understand the landscape and inequities across the UK.
For Thought

For Thought is our thought leadership programme of events and activities bringing together business leaders, scientists, policymakers, opinion-formers and community influencers to discuss pressing societal challenges in the 21st century.
The Ideas Fund

The Ideas Fund is a new grants programme delivered by the British Science Association and funded by Wellcome that enables the UK public to think about, develop and test new ideas related to areas of mental wellbeing that are relevant to them.
All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in STEM

We run the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diversity and Inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). Find out more here.
Community Engagement

The British Science Association is committed to supporting community organisations who work with groups who are underserved and underrepresented in science.
British Science Festival

Europe’s longest standing science festival, the British Science Festival featuring over 100 events, installations, performances and workshops exploring topics across the scientific spectrum.
British Science Week

British Science Week is an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths.
CREST Awards

Our flagship programme for young people providing STEM enrichment activities to engage and inspire 5 to 19-year-olds.
Building Inclusive Science Engagement

Working with science communicators and public engagement professionals is an essential part of the British Science Association’s strategy
UK Science Festivals Network

The UK Science Festivals Network unites festivals that programme science content across the UK to share ideas and represent festivals in public.