In the conference’s opening keynote, Hunter-Torricke (pictured) will draw on his experience from working at organisations including Facebook, SpaceX and the UN, to explore social, economic and technological drivers of change in business and humanity.

The MRS annual conference 2025, ‘Shaping Our Future’, will look at how research and insights are enabling brands, businesses and governments to adapt and strengthen their relevance and value, and futureproof their organisations.

The programme for the conference, announced today ( 11th December), outlines details of the speakers and sessions across three content streams.

Jane Frost, chief executive at MRS, said: "As insight and research professionals, we're used to being asked ‘what’s coming next?'. This is the great challenge Dex Hunter-Torricke will address in his opening keynote. During the decade of disruption that we've just lived through, Dex has lead transformation at Facebook, SpaceX and the UN. Surely that makes him among the most qualified people in the world to answer the ‘what next?’ question. And without knowing the answer, how can the research sector help shape our future?"

Also speaking at the conference, Dr Tali Sharot, associate professor of cognitive neuroscience and director, Affective Brain Lab, University College London, will close the event with a keynote session exploring how we can break through entrenched beliefs, reframe ideas and influence change.  

More information can be found on the conference website.