THE FAN CLUB

Futures Analysts' Network

The FAN Club

The FAN Club is a forum where those who have an interest in horizon scanning and futures analysis can meet to exchange new ideas, innovative thinking and good practice. It is sponsored by the Horizon Scanning Centre in the Government Office for Science and is a key ingredient of the capacity raising programme.

Meetings are held every quarter in central London and combine presentations, workshop sessions and case studies to stimulate discussion. They are open to anyone from the public, private or voluntary sector who is interested in using futures thinking and decision support techniques to develop policy or strategy.

Horizon Scanning?

Definitions of horizon scanning abound. HSC defines it as "the systematic examination of potential threats, opportunities and likely developments including but not restricted to those at the margins of current thinking and planning. Horizon scanning may explore novel and unexpected issues as well as persistent problems or trends." In short it is about looking beyond normal sources, looking across boundaries and seeing things you might not normally notice.

The Horizon Scanning Centre

THE FAN Club is just one of a number of activities being carried out by the Horizon Scanning Centre (HSC) which is part of the Foresight division in the Government Office for Science.

HSC was launched in November 2004 to enhance government's forward-looking horizon scanning capacity. It will provide support and challenge to government departments by:

• undertaking a regular strategic horizon scan exercise
• undertaking selected project work with departments
• skills transfer and the provision of resources.

Its work will be strongly informed by the science base and by the best of existing work in government, the private sector and elsewhere. If it is successful, it will increase the influence of evidence based futures analysis in strategic planning and investment decisions both in government and elsewhere in the economy.