Tomorrow's University: A Futures Café

Tomorrow's University: A Futures Café

You are invited to the Tomorrow's University: A Futures Café! This in-person event at the Limerick Citizen Innovation Lab aims to bring together voices from local communities and organisations to explore one shared question: What role should the university play in enabling more sustainable futures for our region?

Through guided creative exercises, we will imagine and discuss how higher education institutions could lead sustainable change in Limerick and beyond. The session is open to people from all backgrounds. It offers a chance to add your voice, connect with others, and contribute ideas that will inform the next steps in this exploratory work.

What is a Futures Café?

A Futures Café is a participatory workshop that invites diverse perspectives to explore possible futures in a supportive, guided environment. Instead of debating today’s challenges, we focus on imagining what could be created, strengthened, or redesigned to support a more sustainable, resilient, and thriving region.

This Futures Café event will explore how universities can serve as civic partners in local sustainable development, community wellbeing, and the regeneration of natural ecosystems. Activities are hands-on, conversational, and accessible to everyone.

Who Should Attend?

This event is for anyone interested in the future of education, sustainability, and community-led change.

We welcome participation from:

• Citizens who want to help shape the region's futures
• Students and staff from higher education institutions
• Local government and public-sector representatives
• Community groups, social enterprises, and civil-society organisations
• Private-sector and industry partners
  

Your lived experience, willingness to explore, and curiosity are the most valuable contributions you can bring.

How Will We Prepare?

No prior experience with futures or sustainability is required. Every particpant will be invited to a pre-session where key concepts will be introduced ahead of time. This approach ensures that everyone has the time and space to gather their perspectives before the main event.

In this pre-session, you will learn:

• The basics of foresight and futures thinking to help anticipate and imagine long-term change
• Key ideas in sustainability and regeneration for regional development
• How the role of higher education is evolving in Ireland and internationally
  

This preparation ensures the workshop is accessible, engaging, and meaningful for all participants, regardless of background or experience.