Every year, Nesta shines a light on a set of signals that tell us something important about the shape of things to come. Authors zero in on a specific trend, technology, idea or data point with significant, if uncertain, implications for the future.

Often, these signals of change counter received wisdom in some way, or they serve as a canary down the mineshaft – tipping us off to an unduly-overlooked challenge. We’ve derived inspiration from our own research and evidence gathered by others, in addition to observations gleaned from delivering practical programmes across Nesta’s three missions.

Looking ahead to 2023, this year’s collection explores everything from the potential of kitchen robotics, the rise of pronatalist policies to incentivise baby booms through to community-led movements on green energy. In addition to stimulating debate about more troubling trends, we also aim to spotlight promising ideas and innovations to be nurtured further over the coming year.