Enjoy tasty food and brilliant performances from local people. Returning for its fifth year, Stories and Scran celebrates dynamic, thought-provoking work created by our Citizen participants.
Expect diverse and creative talent from Project Esperanza’s Women’s Group, WHALE Arts, the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group, and Citizen Collective.
And Scran Academy are back to serve up delicious, sweet treats you can enjoy during the event.
Stories and Scran runs from 8 – 9.15pm at the Book Festival’s new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute on Lauriston Place.
The University of Edinburgh has welcomed its first commercial tenant to the new Edinburgh Futures Institute in the capital’s historic Old Royal Infirmary in Lauriston Place.
Smart Data Foundry has moved from the nearby Bayes Centre to a state-of-the-art workspace in one of the converted Nightingale wards in the A-listed building, which dates back to 1879.
SDF’s move follows a period of sustained growth for the organisation which was founded in 2022 to unlock the power of financial data to tackle the major issues facing society. Over the past two years it has seen its workforce grow and mature and forged partnerships with clients like Sage, NatWest Group and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
The data pioneer has moved into a purpose-built ward on the 2nd floor of the historic building which housed the city’s main hospital until 2003. The Institute officially opened to the public on 3rd of June, following a multi-million-pound, seven-year refurbishment programme.
Professor Kev Dhaliwal, Interim Director of Edinburgh Futures Institute said: “Edinburgh Futures Institute is delighted to welcome Smart Data Foundry. As one of the region’s Data Driven Innovation Hubs, we bring together staff, students and partners into an inspiring, collaborative and entrepreneurial environment.
“Co-location with our financial and public services sector hubs, alongside numerous industrial partners, researchers, and talented students, will accelerate data innovation and insights to help solve national and global challenges. We share the ambition to deliver positive social impact and build a better world using the power of data.”
The building includes teaching facilities, rooms for co-working with industry partners, business incubation areas, labs for innovation and prototyping, a public square, café, and exhibition and performance spaces.
Dame Julia Unwin, Chair of Smart Data Foundry, said: “Edinburgh Futures Institute has an unrivalled range of facilities in the heart of Edinburgh, and this strategic relocation underscores our commitment to fostering greater collaboration, innovation and productivity in our mission to unlock the power of data for good.
“It’s our aim to cultivate a dynamic ecosystem where data scientists, researchers, and industry partners can collaborate seamlessly to unlock new insights and drive forward our purpose of creating positive impact across society, the economy and the environment. Our new home at the Edinburgh Futures Institute is the perfect base for this ecosystem to flourish.”
Dougie Robb, Chief Financial Officer at Smart Data Foundry, added: “The combination of modern design, restored historic architecture and beautiful grounds at Edinburgh Futures Institute will help us to showcase our services to clients and attract the best talent to the Smart Data Foundry team.
“It’s not just a new office; it’s a place where ideas will flourish and groundbreaking work will be done.”
Smart Data Foundry currently delivers pioneering projects including a Cost-of-Living Dashboard for East Renfrewshire Council. Utilising near real-time de-identified data from NatWest Group, this dashboard integrates financial well-being indicators with contextual information, helping the council to understand better the challenges citizens face and therefore how this might impact on future policy interventions.
Other projects include the launch of the groundbreaking Income Volatility Dashboard with Joseph Rowntree Foundation. This innovative platform provides a comprehensive and unique view of income volatility and insecurity on consumers throughout the United Kingdom as a research and policy platform.
An office space which has been vacant since 2021 will receive a colourful lease of life when the organisation behind the Hidden Door Festival takes up a new residency.
Councillors on the Finance and Resources Committee have agreed to lease the council-owned building at 133 Lauriston Place for the next 10 years to the Edinburgh-based arts charity, which is currently planning a festival later in 2024 to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
They will use the space as an office and creative hub, undertaking repairs to the building while they lease it, in exchange for a favourable rental price.
Finance and Resources Convener, Councillor Mandy Watt, said: “This is a building which needs a lot of work so it hasn’t been occupied for the last few years. I’m delighted that Hidden Door have agreed to take it on and make it their own.
“Known for rejuvenating spaces into vibrant venues, I’ve no doubt they will create an inviting creative hub here. The venue is situated just a short stroll away from the art college and other fantastic venues like the Cameo and the Usher Hall, so the opportunities for collaboration are countless.
“We’re pleased to support a well-loved community arts charity in this way. The permanent location throughout the term of this lease should provide them with greater security and stability and a more accessible building everyone can enjoy.”
Hazel Johnson, Hidden Door’s Festival Director, said: “This is a hugely exciting and important step for Hidden Door – a hub from which to plan our activity and festivals will enable us work more closely with Edinburgh’s creative communities, all year round.
“As a volunteer-led charity, this is a huge milestone – and the timing couldn’t be better, as we both celebrate 10 years of Hidden Door festivals, and look to the future. We can’t wait to get in and get cracking!”
