Training and Workshops

A key part of our mission at Future Narratives Lab is to build the independent power and capacity of civil society. Below we outline a few examples of one way we do that: training workshops.

These aim to equip civil society with cutting edge approaches, while avoiding privatised methodologies, developed to divide and exploit. Each can be delivered online or in person, at different scales. If you’re interested in workshops on these or any other related topics, get in touch using the form further down the page.

For details of our public events see our work page.

How can we counter the shaping of the debate that has been key to the continued power of Big Tech? We will explore how to communicate effectively about AI, effectively expressing the challenges at hand whilst presenting a positive alternative vision.

In this workshop, we:

  • Identify the key narratives that legitimise the extractive practices of tech companies, their features & weaknesses.
  • Establish clear guidelines for how you should communicate about and use AI in your organisation for progressive goals.

How do we understand dominant societal narratives, which keep our imagination and action trapped in a limited spectrum of possibilities? This process is the foundation of much of our work, providing crucial strategic context.

In this workshop, we:

  • Learn how to understand & analyse the landscape of prevailing assumptions and agendas around a topic.
  • Apply this to your area of focus, identifying opportunities to shift the conversation and alter common sense.

What approaches can broaden your supporter base, building power & resilience? We will explore how to build messages that resonate across political & cultural lines, appealing to the values & preferences of conservative audiences.

In this workshop, we:

  • Define and analyse different types of conservative audiences, their power, preferences and values.
  • Prototype messaging approaches to speak to them, and test them directly in conversation with simulated AI avatars.

“Thank you for the wonderful workshop! The valuable insights we gained will certainly enhance our strategy and improve engagement across sectors, including with more conservative audiences— which is much needed! Looking forward to working together in the future.”

Marc MeunierCoalition Lead, Methane Matters

How can civil society evolve and adapt to meet the needs of how most media is created and consumed now? The online short form video format via social media is increasingly crucial to getting progressive messages heard – but it’s harder than it looks…

In this workshop, we:

  • Explore the key features and dynamics of the increasingly dominant medium in contemporary communication.
  • Recognise what kinds of content fit the algorithms of each platform (TikTok, Reels etc), and how to create them.

How should we respond to the to the rapid rise of reactionary forces and their dangerous, exploitative rhetoric? We will explore how we can understand the ecosystems in which far-right ideas thrive, create counternarratives and build responsive coalitions.

In this workshop, we:

  • Recognise the key different elements of the new far right movement, and what unites and divides them .
  • Appreciate the aesthetic as well as persuasive character of their appeal, and therefore what will work in response.

What does it takes to get powerful, persuasive messaging, proven to work in practice? Learn what you need to confidently push ahead with the right approach to rapidly prototype, test, refine and deliver messages to key audiences.

In this workshop, we:

  • Understand the process and requirements of developing & testing effective messaging on any issue.
  • Work through the key questions and explore the pros and cons of different available methodologies.

Contact Us

If you are interested in any of the above workshops or anything else, please get in touch via the form below.