Walk the Futures is a guided, multi-sensory, story-filled walk through your local area, followed by a creative workshop. Expect an immersive experience designed to stretch your imagination, invite new perspectives, and give you time to pause and reflect.

You’ll step into a range of possible futures set in familiar places, explore sensory provocations, and take part in thoughtful group conversations about what might lie ahead, and what it means for you, your community, and the world around you.

This workshop is part of an independent, non-profit research project by Suzanne Whitby, a researcher affiliated with Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

The study explores how sensory storytelling and place-based experiences affect how people engage with the future, especially around big social and environmental questions.

Rather than focus on facts and figures, this research looks at how people feel, reflect, and respond when invited to imagine the future in creative, grounded, and personal ways. 

If you take part, you’ll be asked to:

• Join one walkshop, which includes a guided walk followed by a creative workshop (~5.5–6 hours total), with a light breakfast and early lunch included. We sometimes also offer a shorter version of this even that lasts around 3 hours.
• Complete a short questionnaire before the event, and a feedback form after the event.
• Receive short follow-ups over the next three months (via email or post). These include short emails, reflecting on questions when time allows, and answering brief surveys.
• Optionally: take part in an interview if you'd like to reflect more deeply on the experience.

This adds up to around 8–10 hours over 3–4 months, most of it during the live walkshop one day.

Participating in a Walk the Futures event is totally free! There are no fees, sales, or hidden costs involved.

Your investment is your time and feedback.

This is a not-for-profit research event developed as part of a research project conducted by me, Suzanne Whitby. I fund the research (there is no external funding involved).

You’re warmly invited to apply if you:

• Are over 18 and not currently studying full-time
• Live or work near the location of the event you wish to attend
• Are able to walk and stand intermittently for up to 2–3 hours
• Can commit to one half-day walkshop (several dates available) and a few short follow-ups
• Are curious and open to imaginative thinking, reflection, and dialogue

No special knowledge is needed. Just a willingness to explore (plus good shoes and weather-appropriate clothing.)

The route takes place outdoors in an urban area and is accessible to most participants, including those using wheelchairs or small mobility aids. You’ll be walking at a relaxed pace, with time to pause, reflect, and rest along the way.

The experience includes emotional and immersive themes, and is designed to be welcoming, flexible, and reflective. You’re always free to pause, opt out of any activity, or withdraw entirely, at any time, for any reason.

Participation is voluntary and based on informed consent. Before taking part, you’ll be asked to give your consent. Your privacy, safety, and comfort are central to how this event is run.

All data that we collect is anonymised and handled securely in line with GDPR.

This project has received full ethical approval and is conducted in line with university research guidelines at VU Amsterdam.

Take a look at up-coming events and apply to participate.

You can also look for local Walk the Futures editions, or sign up to be notified when new events are published.

Yes! We're actively looking for opportunities to bring Walk the Futures formats to other locations.

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