Challenges and priorities for European research: a foresight review

Abstract

A review of recent foresight exercises reveals some important drivers of research in Europe. In this editorial, we introduce five main areas where science and technology will be required to deliver tangible gains for society and the economy in the coming years. It is no longer enough for research agendas to be dictated by the supply of expertise from the science base. Increasingly, they must respond to social values like access and sustainability, and humanize the interface between technology and people.

Foresight Evolution: From Forecasting and Planning to Foresight

“…Форсайт перешел от универсального подхода и решению проблем к более индивидуальным подходам в соответствии с их контекстом и содержанием. Ожидания от Форсайта изменились с узкого выбора приоритетов НТИ на реформирование, а также информирование политики и стратегии на всех уровнях управления [6]. Принимая во внимание все эти события, можно утверждать, что понимание, процесс и практика прогнозирование претерпели значительные изменения [9].…”

Comparison of national foresight studies by integrated foresight management model

“…Characteristics of the organisation [18] Direction setting [18], vision building [4] Connection of policy to practitioners [9] Balance between various ''intrinsic tensions'' [18] Advocacy [18] Provident vs. negotiation state [27] Scope [9] Direct link to science and technology policy [6] Creating a forward thinking culture [4] Technoeconomic vs. socioeconomic approach [6] Plan for uncertainty [13] Matching technological changes with acceptable directions for society [8] Foresight becomes a part of routine decision making [11] Enrich policy making process [7] Agenda setting with wide range of interests [15] Involvement of government in foresight [11] Focus on risk management [15] Strategic 2 5 2 9…”

What is in a name? A rejoinder to Ziauddin Sardar's ‘the namesake’

“…Secondly, because, so far, I fail to see in which sense foresight adds a different ingredient or feature with regard to already existing concepts. According to FOREN, 1 foresight is ''a systematic, participatory, future intelligence gathering and mediumto-long term vision-building process aimed at present-day decisions and mobilising joint actions'' [3] (p. 3). This definition must be considered relevant since the authors have been the main promoters of foresight.…”