About Us

Who are we and what we do

Futurelab is an independent not-for-profit organisation that is dedicated to transforming teaching and learning, making it more relevant and engaging to 21st century learners through the use of innovative practice and technology. We have a long track record of researching and demonstrating innovative uses of technology and aim to support systemic change in education – and are uniquely placed to bring together those with an interest in improving education from the policy, industry, research and practice communities to do this. Futurelab is close enough to government to be influential, but distant enough to have an independent viewpoint; credible and respected by academia, but with rigorous project management, support and delivery mechanisms that deliver to commercial timelines. Our integrity and commitment to positive change allow us access to education practitioners and learners and we, in turn, support them to adopt new teaching practices with a range of research-informed support and tools.

Futurelab’s work to date covers a range of both topical and forward-thinking areas including, among others, curriculum innovation; learning spaces and building capital programmes; digital inclusion; health and well-being; play and computer games; adult and family learning; assessment; and digital literacy and participation. Examples of our work include:

• Developing a new approach to teaching and learning, resulting in an enquiry-based curriculum that is available to all schools (Enquiring Minds, supported by Microsoft)
• Researching a variety of subjects from the use of computer games in families and in schools through to supporting schools to help learners to use and create using digital technologies and to effectively link home and school to support learning
• Being commissioned by Local Authorities to advise schools going through the BSF process to ensure that resultant buildings are future proof and meet the needs of learners
• Developing a range of free resources for educators to support a range of activities from supporting debate and thinking skills through to a series of podcasts that reflect on what it means to transform education using technology
• Supporting the education community to plan effectively for the future.

Futurelab cannot do this work on its own. We rely on funding and partners from across the education community – policy, practice, local government, research and industry - to realise the full potential of our ideas, and so continue to create systemic change in education to benefit all learners.