From Vision to Action: Engaged Futures

The Engaged Futures programme has brought people from inside and outside of the higher education sector together, to explore what transformational change could look like. It has happened within a time of great turmoil, challenge, and change.  

Central to Engaged Futures is the three horizon model. This model is a strategic framework to support transformational change. Horizon 3 (H3) is our hoped for future, Horizon 1 (H1) is where we are now, and Horizon 2 (H2) is the horizon of disruption and innovation. The model recognises key actors and activities that are propelling us towards H3 (referred to as H2+) and those actors that are maintaining the status quo (H2-).

At the 2026 Engage Summit, we explored our collective visions for the future (H3) with speakers and delegates offering their perspectives and insights; strengthening the futures we had imagined. 

We reflected on the current state of play (H1) drawing on evidence from the NCCPE State of the Sector research, the Royal Society Science for Society Report  and CaSE Public Attitudes to R&D 2025. We concluded that whilst engagement is now recognised as a core part of institutional identity, with commitment evidenced in strategy and supporting infrastructures, the engagement infrastructure underpinning this work is under significant threat, with universities and those they work with facing significant resource challenges. 

We celebrated and shared inspiring examples of H2+ actors and practices – evidencing high-quality work that is disrupting the current systems and making new pathways to the future. 

Together we considered the actions that we might take individually or collectively to move towards our desired futures, with the closing plenary highlighting approaches we could take to effect change. 

Several themes emerged from the discussions across the two days of the summit.

People recognise the need for change and see value in the direction that Engaged Futures is proposing.

Rather than questioning the overall vision, participants wanted to focus on implementation. They were interested in identifying concrete actions and quick wins that, if enacted collectively, could create wider ripple effects across the system.

Priority concerns centred on the higher education system and the ways power operates within it. Participants reflected on how we can disrupt the status quo, challenge whose perspectives count, and broaden who gets to influence outcomes.

There was particular interest in how change can reach across the whole system rather than remaining confined to isolated projects or pockets of good practice. This is exactly where Engaged Futures—particularly through the Transformational Inclusion and Creating Living Knowledge domains—will continue to focus its efforts.

A related discussion centred on leadership at a time of significant pressure across the sector. We know that cuts and difficult decisions are being made. We also know that engagement and inclusion bring a wealth of direct benefits and positive ripple effects that speak to the wider interests of our institutions and society. Summit attendees challenged us to think about how those benefits can be framed and communicated in ways that influence decision-making at the top. 

The challenge is how we make this case in terms that resonate with decision-makers. What is it we can offer to help inform their decision making, during a period of financial constraint and uncertainty? How do we support leaders to understand what they risk losing by deprioritising engagement and inclusion in particular?

The Summit suggested that there is considerable appetite for change. The question is not whether people care about these issues. The question is how we create practical opportunities for people and organisations to contribute. 

It feels as though Engaged Futures has an important role to play—not only in helping to catalyse change across the system, but also in providing a home for the passion, commitment and expertise that remains so evident among those working within and alongside higher education.

We are currently bringing all the learning together and developing our next steps. 

In the Autumn we will be sharing and testing how we plan to shape our Engaged Futures work into something clear, practical and capable of generating positive change. We hope you will part of this with us. It isn’t too late to sign up if you are interested in shaping the next phase of this work and taking steps to bring about a new future for the HE sector.  

Be part of Engaged Futures by joining as a Catalyst: