Collingwood Future

AI, ethics and leadership

Understand AI. Question its use. Lead responsibly.

Collingwood Future is Collingwood College’s flagship student development programme exploring artificial intelligence, ethics and leadership. Free and open to every Collingwood student, it offers opportunities to develop your judgement, meet inspiring speakers and consider how technological change will shape your future.

Whatever your subject or year of study, you are welcome. No previous knowledge is required.

Why take part?

AI raises questions that reach across every discipline. What can these systems reliably do? How should we use them? Who benefits, who might be disadvantaged, and who takes responsibility when things go wrong?

Collingwood Future brings students into conversation with academics, alumni and practitioners to explore these questions together. You will have opportunities to:

• Understand AI’s capabilities and limitations
• Examine questions of fairness, creativity, evidence and responsibility
• Develop confidence in making and explaining informed decisions
• Connect your learning with future study, work and leadership
• Meet people whose experience can broaden your interests and ambitions

How it works

Events take place once or twice each month during Michaelmas and Epiphany terms, normally 7–8pm in the Penthouse Rooms at Collingwood College.

Each evening includes an accessible conversation led by a guest speaker followed by plenty of time for questions and discussion. A networking reception afterwards offers the chance to continue the conversation and meet the speaker and other students. You can attend as many sessions as you like. Questions, different perspectives and suggestions for future events are welcome throughout the year.

Become a Collingwood Future Fellow

To complete the programme:

1. Attend two or more events over the academic year and
2. Submit a short poster explaining how you will put what you have learned into practice in your future study, work or other activities.

Students who complete these requirements will receive a Collingwood Future: AI, Ethics and Leadership Certificate of completion which they can add to their CV and LinkedIn profile and become a Collingwood Future Fellow.

The poster submission deadline is 27 April 2027 with a celebratory event to follow.

Michaelmas programme 2026

Professor Noura al Moubayed (Computer Science) - 20 October

Dr Will Yeadon (Physics) - 17 November

Seb Butcher (Law graduate) - 30 November

Kirstie Galloway (Durham graduate, co-hosted with Collingwood College Finance Society)

All events: 7–8pm, Penthouse Rooms, followed by a networking reception.

Our wider ambition

Directed by the Principal, Professor Thom Brooks, Collingwood Future connects the college’s student community with expertise across Durham University and beyond. It brings ethical judgement and responsible leadership into conversations about innovation, helping students consider how they can contribute to technological change in the public interest.

The programme will run annually. Plans include visiting fellows, an annual conference and further opportunities for students to engage with research and professional practice. Student interests and ideas will help shape its development.

Find out more

For questions about events, taking part or contributing to the programme, contact the College Office:

collingwood.collegeoffice@durham.ac.uk