6 take-aways

1. Insights from Hans Louwhoff, COO SURF:
"Are we merely meeting the future as it unfolds, or actively building the future we desire?"

Hans Louwhoff, CEO of SURF, kicked off the event with thought-provoking insights into the importance of looking both internally and externally for innovation and foresight. He emphasized the need for organizations to not only address internal challenges but also remain vigilant about external trends and developments. Louwhoff prompted attendees to consider the frequency with which they develop foresight and strategy, highlighting the necessity of flexibility and adaptability in anticipating the future. He posed the question: Are we merely meeting the future as it unfolds, or actively building the future we desire? Central to Louwhoff's message was the idea that SURF exists to provide its audience with opportunities to experience something new. By fostering a culture of innovation and forward-thinking, SURF aims to empower individuals and organizations to embrace change and drive positive transformation.

2. Insights from Fontys Tilburg's TCL Bachelor's programme:
The importance of balancing innovation and continuity

Monica Veeger, lecturer and researcher, shared insights about Fontys Tilburg's TCL Bachelor program, which focuses on understanding trends and societal changes. Unlike traditional approaches, TCL encourages hands-on learning and challenges students to think differently about the future.
Veeger highlighted the program's focus on observing societal values and needs to anticipate trends. Despite initial challenges, TCL emphasizes the importance of balancing innovation with continuity, recognizing that some things stay the same even as the world changes.
Fontys' commitment to forward-thinking education is evident, with TCL graduates equipped to address future needs in roles like trend consultants and social concept designers. Veeger emphasized the need for flexibility and adaptation in an uncertain future.

3. Insights from Derek-Jan Fikkers, University of Twente: 
A more flexible approach to strategic planning 

Derek-Jan Fikkers, director of strategy and policy at the University of Twente, shared valuable insights into the challenges and strategies surrounding institutional planning and foresight. He emphasized a shift away from systemic and institutional-level focus, highlighting the need for a more agile approach to strategic planning.

Fikkers highlighted the importance of institutions owning their future insights and strategic planning. However, he noted that these reports can sometimes be abstract and vague, necessitating a rethink of the strategic planning process.

Demographic, economic, and political challenges call for a change in strategic approach, with declining student numbers and changing language programs posing significant hurdles. Fikkers stressed the urgent need for reorganization and strategic planning to address these issues.

During the seminar, Fikkers fielded questions about redesigning institutional systems. He advocated for a return to purpose, challenging assumptions, and thinking outside the box to address decline and problems. Fikkers also highlighted University of Twente's efforts in decentralizing strategic planning and operational improvements, emphasizing the need for foresight capacity within institutional building blocks.

In addressing concerns about rigidity in institutional culture, Fikkers acknowledged the challenges of effecting change and emphasized the importance of cooperation between short-term and long-term goals. He advocated for a balanced approach that integrates both perspectives to navigate institutional change effectively.

4. Insights from TU Eindhoven's University of the Future Project: 
Ambitious moonshot goals towards 2050 

Chantal Brans, program manager education innovation, and Marcello Sala, project leader ‘University of the future’, from TU Eindhoven shared insights into their innovative University of the Future project, highlighting a theory of innovation space that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and ambitious moonshot goals.

The project, which looks ahead to 2050, aims not only to predict but to actively create a desired future for the university. Central to their approach is the iterative process of engaging stakeholders and visualizing ideas through card-based sessions. By involving students, staff, ecosystem partners, and industry stakeholders, they converge diverse perspectives into tangible plans for the future.

Brans and Sala emphasized the importance of taking people along in the process, sparking creativity and fostering open-mindedness. Despite challenges in getting stakeholders to embrace change, the project has garnered enthusiasm from both students and professors, making it fun and visually appealing to encourage active participation.

However, the project faces struggles, including concerns about inclusivity, session depth, and balancing desirable versus achievable futures. Additionally, positioning the project within the larger university context presents challenges, but ongoing efforts to validate future plans and prioritize diversity remain integral to its success.

Ultimately, the University of the Future project aims to create a tangible impact by influencing future policies and experiences through whitepapers and exhibitions, while also fostering a culture of active participation and collaboration among stakeholders. Through iterative reflection and engagement, TU Eindhoven is charting a course towards a desired future for higher education.

5. Insights from Prof Deborah Nas, Faculty of Industrial Design, TU Delft: 
The importance of extremes in shaping future scenarios

Prof. Deborah Nas, innovation lead at the centre for quantum & society at TU Delft's Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, shared insights into two innovative projects focusing on societal impact and strategic foresight.

In the Quantum Delta NL project, Nas explores the societal implications of quantum technologies, contemplating both their positive and negative impacts. She emphasizes the importance of considering access, regulations, and global collaboration, particularly in addressing the technology gap between rich and poor countries. Nas highlights the uncertainty surrounding quantum technologies and advocates for strategic foresight to navigate future possibilities.

Nas's current research in strategic foresight involves horizon scanning to identify emerging issues and uncertainties, followed by scenario development and targeted communication. She emphasizes the importance of extremes in shaping future scenarios, using them to construct balanced viewpoints and stress-test policies. Nas acknowledges the challenges of envisioning a future that may seem improbable and emphasizes the need for scientists to engage with strategic foresight.

In the Mobilisers project, Nas focuses on team building and creating a safe space for envisioning the future. Despite concerns that future scenarios may appear overly optimistic, Nas views them as valuable conversation starters.

Overall, Prof. Deborah Nas's work emphasizes the importance of proactive engagement with emerging technologies and strategic foresight in shaping a desirable future.

6. Insights from Sandra Mathijssen, Foresight scientist at TNO: 
Balancing short-term urgency with long-term innovation

Sandra Mathijssen, foresight scientist at TNO's Department of Sustainable Productivity and Employability, shared valuable insights into the proactive approach to decision-making through foresight studies.

Mathijssen highlighted the PRO-SPECT (PROfessional Sectoral perSPECTive) approach, consisting of four key steps: scoping, scanning, impact assessment, and providing perspective. This approach enables the identification of future issues, collection of relevant data, investigation of potential impacts, and ultimately, the formulation of informed policy and strategies.

She emphasized the importance of considering various factors, including technology, products/services, organization of work, and human capital, in making future-proof decisions. Through scenario studies like Project Gini and Project Life Long Learning, Mathijssen explores the impact of technology, globalization, and other factors on skills demand and inequality over the next decade.

However, foresight studies face challenges, including limited utilization, uncertainty, and a mismatch between future knowledge and policy practice. Mathijssen stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement, perfect timing, and maintaining a balance between short-term urgency and long-term innovation.

She emphasized the need for concrete action, advocating for collaborative work sessions to discuss options and implement a future-oriented organizational process rather than treating foresight as a one-off project.

In conclusion, Sandra Mathijssen's work highlights the value of foresight studies in navigating uncertain futures, empowering decision-makers to anticipate challenges and seize opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

Break-out sessions

After the knowledge sessions, attendees were divided into subgroups, enabling discussions on their respective foresight practices, areas of exploration and possible roles for SURF in this process.

Participants discussed the ethical, legal and societal implications of new technologies such as AI, as well as the responsibilities involved in creating them. They agreed on the need to stop reacting to future challenges and actively prepare for them. They suggested conducting stress tests on possible future scenarios to improve readiness. There was also broad agreement that it is crucial to help people imagine the future and integrate forward thinking into organisational strategies and policies.

Suggestions were made for SURF to offer toolkits or similar resources to support forward-thinking. Participants emphasised the value of events like these, especially for stimulating discussion and promoting innovation. Central to their discussions was the need for SURF to facilitate such conversations, with an emphasis on re-evaluation and preparedness for possible disruptions.

Tip: the next Foresight Practices seminar will take place on 28 November 2024!

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