LIST OF PANELS

General objectives

This panel explores the role of strategic foresight in public policy, emphasizing the application of foresight tools to examine and shape public policies in response to disruptive transformations. Strategic foresight, as a forward-looking approach, helps policymakers anticipate future scenarios, enabling them to proactively develop policies that are both resilient and adaptive to change.

The panel aims to explore the use of strategic foresight in identifying and understanding disruptive dynamics, thereby providing policy recommendations with critical insights into emerging opportunities and risks. In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, characterized by technological breakthroughs and global challenges, the ability to foresee disruptive changes is crucial for informed decision-making. Foresight methodologies serve as powerful instruments for analyzing trends, envisioning multiple future pathways, and preparing strategic responses that mitigate potential risks while taking advantage of new opportunities.

One key focus of this panel is enhancing foresight methodologies to equip researchers/policymakers with the tools to address both technological and societal challenges effectively. By integrating foresight into policy development, governments can anticipate and respond to issues ranging from technological innovations to socio-economic shifts. This proactive approach helps bridge the gap between policy formulation and the evolving needs of society, ensuring that public policies are agile, inclusive, and responsive to disruptive transformations.

Research question

A key research question guiding this exploration is: How can strategic foresight be enhanced to design policies that effectively address disruptive transformations? As global challenges and technological innovations continue to evolve at an unprecedented pace, understanding how to adapt foresight practices to design forward-looking policies becomes crucial. The enhancement of strategic foresight involves refining methodologies, incorporating new analytical tools, and developing more inclusive approaches that consider diverse societal needs and values. By answering this research question, this panel aims to identify pathways for making foresight practices more integral to the policymaking process, ensuring they can effectively guide responses to emerging disruptions.

Scientific relevance

The scientific relevance of this panel lies in advancing the understanding of how foresight can contribute to improved public policy design and implementation in an increasingly volatile and complex environment. Effective foresight involves not only predicting future trends but also understanding the potential implications of these changes for policy and governance. As technological disruptions become more pervasive, foresight tools, such as scenario analysis, horizon scanning, and trend monitoring, offer enhanced predictive capabilities. These tools enable policymakers to prepare more effectively for a wide range of potential future scenarios, reducing uncertainty and supporting more informed decision-making.

The panel invites scholarly contributions that examine the critical role of strategic foresight in shaping public policy to understand and respond to disruptive transformations. In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements and complex societal challenges, technology foresight offers policymakers a strategic tool for envisioning the future and preparing adaptive responses. We seek contributions that address both theoretical and practical perspectives, including empirical studies, theoretical analyses, and methodological innovations that deepen our understanding of foresight’s role in policymaking.

Submissions cover a range of topics, including:

Foresight for disruptive changes: Assessing the potential impact of disruptive technologies and innovations, such as AI, blockchain, and quantum computing, on society and public policy.

Foresight for management: Using foresight to enhance policy resilience during unexpected disruptions.

- Scenario planning for policy innovation: Developing strategic scenarios to guide policy responses to disruptive changes.

Cross-Sectoral foresight applications: Applying foresight across sectors to create comprehensive policy strategies.

Policy adaptation through Horizon Scanning: Leveraging horizon scanning to inform agile policy adaptation in response to rapid change.

Foresight for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Enhancing strategic foresight to align policies with long-term sustainability goals amidst disruptive transformations.

Social dimensions of foresight: Considering social factors in foresight to enhance public engagement in policymaking.

Innovative approaches in foresight practices: Exploring novel foresight methodologies, tools, and frameworks for enhanced policymaking in complex environments.

AI-Driven foresight applications: The role of artificial intelligence in augmenting foresight capabilities, such as predictive modeling, scenario analysis, and data-driven decision-making.

Barriers to foresight implementation: Identifying and addressing barriers to embedding foresight in policy-making processes.