Future Threats Lab
Human-Centric Futures at King’s College London
The Future Threats Lab is a collaborative research, learning and creative space in the Department of War Studies at King’s College London. Taking a human-centred approach to the most serious threats facing communities and habitats around the world, we bring together a diverse range of scholarly, policy, ethical and artistic perspectives within King’s and beyond.
In today’s world, where threats to humanity are increasingly complex, systemic and intractable, future threats research is more essential than ever. We aim to develop new methods and concepts to better understand and respond to the most serious threats facing humanity, and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration through seminars, workshops, publications, and artistic exhibitions.
As part of the King’s Centre for Science & Security Studies, the Future Threats Lab is an inclusive community open to those working on a broad range of future threats and human-centred approaches to future security. We have a wide range of expertise to share, including on conceptualisations of future threats and the ideas that propel them; specific technologies and weapons systems; the political, social and psychological dynamics of future threats; new horizons of human expansion, such as in space; systemic and cascading threats, particularly in the environmental realm; and the potential for unethical and exploitative practice within solutions to existential threats.
What is the Future Threats Lab?
As a collaborative research space, the Lab has five distinct purposes and characteristics. It is:
A collective of people conducting research on future threats, individually and/or collaboratively.
Led by a team who organise events and online discourse on a broad range of threats, thus creating a collaborative space (physical and virtual) intended to enhance research, learning and creativity.
A space for creative and critical reflection on the most serious issues of our time.
An inclusive and ethical community, encompassing diverse perspectives.
A support hub for information exchange, research and teaching collaboration, and joint funding efforts.
Diversity and Inclusion
At Future Threats Lab, we are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment where everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued and empowered. We believe that diversity drives innovation, enhances collaboration, and enables us to better understand and address the complex challenges of the future. Our pledge reflects our dedication to creating a workplace where every individual can thrive.