Preparing for grand challenges: the role of future-oriented technology analysis in anticipating and shaping structural and systemic changes

Whereas earlier FTA conferences focused in a rather self-reflexive manner on future perspectives for FTA (2004) and the impact of FTA on decision-making (2006, 2008), the 2011 edition was responding timely to the growing demand for forward-looking intelligence in times of crisis and uncertainty, by proposing FTA as a key instrument to help prepare for and tackle Grand Challenges. The papers presented in this special issue explore the growing demand for forward-looking intelligence in times of crisis and uncertainty from different angles. Three contributions explore new avenues of how FTA could be conceived in the future by discussing and elaborating theoretical groundings, and what their potential and limitations are in addressing Grand Challenges. Four further contributions analyse concrete cases of advanced FTA practices in areas that are characterised by high degrees of complexity and uncertainty. These contributions point to possible future directions to be followed by FTA in order to better cope with Grand Challenges. Some common lines of thought seem to emerge around the recognition of fundamental uncertainty and unpredictability. Such notions lead several authors to remind us on the role of FTA to challenge persisting premises on extrapolated futures based on past events. Stronger emphasis on creativity and exploration of truly alternative future developments are called for to be better prepared to address both the existing Grand Challenges and those to emerge in the future.

HAEGEMAN Karel;  WEBER K. Matthias;  KÖNNÖLÄ Totti; 

2012-09-24

ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS

JRC72883

0953-7325,   

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09537325.2012.715475,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC72883,   

10.1080/09537325.2012.715475,