About Us —
Civic Foresight for Buffalo
The Buffalo Signals Laboratory is a civic foresight laboratory serving Buffalo and Western New York. Through the Observatory, it surfaces and interprets signals of change. Through Capacity Building, it helps people and communities build foresight skills. Through FutureLab, it helps organizations prepare for what’s next.
Observatory. Capacity Building. FutureLab.
observatory
We scan emerging signals, synthesize insights, and publish shared intelligence for Western New York, including reports, data analysis, and scenarios.
capacity building
We host learning experiences, including workshops, resources, a certificate, a conference, and communities of practice.
futurelab
We help organizations prepare for what’s next through signal scans, foresight reports, trend analysis, scenario development, and strategic support.
Our Mission —
Making foresight part of how Buffalo thinks, plans, and acts.
Buffalo Signals Laboratory helps Buffalo and Western New York understand emerging change, build the capacity to think ahead, and apply foresight to shape better futures for our communities and organizations.
Leah Sciabarrasi, Ph.D.
Founder
This Founding —
Why I started Buffalo Signals Lab
“As a fourth-generation Buffalonian, I care deeply about where this city is headed. I started Buffalo Signals Laboratory because I wanted to create a civic space where we could document the early signs of change and teach the practice of foresight to strengthen Buffalo’s ability to anticipate change and prepare for the future.”
– Leah
How we work —
See → Strengthen → Shape
See
We surface emerging signals, trends, and possibilities so Buffalo can better understand what may be coming.
Strengthen
We build the skills, tools, and networks people need to think ahead and use foresight in their work and communities.
Shape
We apply foresight to help organizations and communities explore possibilities, make better decisions, and act intentionally toward preferred futures.
OPERATING THROUGH FISCAL SPONSORSHIP
The Buffalo Signals Laboratory is powered and fiscally sponsored by BootSector, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit, which allows us to operate and receive philanthropic and grant funding.
Let’s do this —
Buffalo’s future is ours to shape.
Contact Us!
We'd love to hear from you!
