The Future We Design

The Future We Design Seminar Series is the Policy School’s anchor for our 20th anniversary, examining how policy shapes, and is shaped by, the spaces, systems, and stories we create. This interdisciplinary series brings together practitioners from design, sustainability, and the arts to explore how we intentionally build a more responsive public sphere. Each seminar demonstrates the school's commitment to boundary-crossing thinking and positions the Policy School as a convener of essential civic conversations.

Civic Spaces and Public Policy

Thursday, February 26th | East Village 17th Floor (Reserved)

How do the physical environments we design enable or constrain democratic participation? This seminar brings together architects, urban designers, and policy practitioners to explore how built infrastructure, from government buildings to public plazas, shapes civic engagement and public service delivery.

Sustainability in Leadership (Alumni Event in partnership with Office of Alumni Relations)

Tuesday March 10th | East Village 17th Floor (Reserved)

Cities, companies, and campuses are navigating complex transitions toward sustainable operations and governance. This session convenes municipal officials, corporate leaders, and campus administrators implementing ambitious climate and equity goals, demonstrating how policy innovation happens across sectors and scales. We are thrilled to invite alumni working in sustainability fields, government officials, and industry experts to this event. Sustainability means a lot of things, and we will discuss how we lead in a way that serves and includes future generations.

Arts Influence on Policy

Thursday, April 2nd | Museum of Fine Arts (Confirmed)

Through the lens of the iconic "Soiling of Old Glory" photograph, this seminar explores how cultural expression documents injustice, preserves collective memory, and catalyzes policy transformation. Bringing together photographers, historians, and museum professionals, this session demonstrates how art creates the conditions for social change. This event will serve as the culmination of the series and will celebrate the 20th Anniversary and end of the Spring Semester alongside friends of the school, faculty, and our university community.

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Host or Publisher Northeastern University School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs