Cardiff University's ambition to co-create and share knowledge to deliver a better world for future generations has been boosted by the appointment of its first Academic Director for Cardiff Futures.
Professor Keri Facer , a leading UK and international figure in futures thinking and research, has been appointed to the newly created post.
Cardiff's Futures initiative sets out to embed interdisciplinary, creative, long-term futures thinking and activities across the University, joining up Cardiff's existing expertise and practice in this field and opening up new opportunities for futures-oriented research, teaching and collaboration with partners in Wales and beyond.
"The world needs universities to be thinking and acting differently. The futures we are facing are challenging – for our students and our societies. We have to work out how to confront technological, ecological and social change in ways that create fair and sustainable futures. Universities have a critical role to play in helping bring about the profound changes that will be needed to create new ways of living," said Professor Facer.
"This was a position I couldn't resist. It's a once in a lifetime chance to work with a fantastic university to develop a clear collective sense of what it means for a leading university to try to shape better futures together with partners in Wales and around the world.
"I have a strong belief that universities have a responsibility to work in collaboration with the communities - both local and global - that they are a part of.
"Cardiff University not only has a long history of civic engagement and futures research, but the new strategy states it explicitly. And what's great is that in my visits to Cardiff, I've learned that these commitments are deeply held by the people and the Schools of the University - it is not just a slogan." she added.
The role of Academic Director will provide strategic leadership for the new Futures initiative, working across the university to develop new practices that encourage and promote innovative futures thinking across research and education.
Professor Facer is currently Professor of Educational and Social Futures at the University of Bristol and August T Larsson Guest Professor at the Swedish Agricultural University (SLU).
She has a distinguished academic track record in the field, including as research director for the independent research lab Futurelab, Editor in Chief of the journal Futures, Chair of the Anticipation Conference, and as advisor to the UNESCO Futures of Education Commission and the Department for Education.
Her interdisciplinary track record has seen her work with organisations ranging from Microsoft and the BBC to local city farms. She has recently led a major international British Academy programme working with colleagues across six continents to understand the role of time and the future in sustainability transitions.
She is currently the Co-Investigator on the ESRC Centre for Socio-digital futures working on implications of VR and AI for education, as well as with colleagues in Sweden on social learning practices needed to address climate and ecological crisis.
In 2021, she was named one of the top 100 influential academics in government by Apolitical .
Welcoming Professor Facer's appointment, Cardiff University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner said: "I am excited Professor Facer will be joining us to take up this key role."
Her appointment is key to driving our Futures commitment forward. Cardiff has a unique opportunity to demonstrate the potential of futures thinking to make powerful, positive change.
"We have world-leading research in futures thinking and Wales has embedded the accountability to Future Generations in its government.
"I'm keen to see what we can do together, as a powerful collaboration between the University, the city and country - to demonstrate how to create more liveable futures. I'm looking forward to working alongside Professor Facer to drive this agenda forward in the coming months and years."
The role of Academic Director will report to the University's Vice-Chancellor and will initially be a fixed term post for five years. Professor Facer will also hold a Professorial position in our newly established School of Global Humanities.
Professor Facer is expected to take up the new role in November 2026.
