There is theory, there is method – and then there is live implementation in complex and chaotic contexts. Applied foresight presents challenges to practitioners that distinguish it from academic futures studies. This presentation addressed the often-conflicting intersections of scope, resources, politics, personalities, topic, methods, and ethics. It offered examples of how those tensions got resolved – or did not – and highlight the implications for making applied foresight work effective. The case studies drew from work with government agencies, non-governmental organisations and charities, and the private sector.
This masterclass seminar created a context for sharing participants experiences about foresight or futures approaches they have used that worked really well, informative failures, trade-offs commonly negotiated and about ethical issues that have arisen and on how to ensure traction and action on insights.
