Foresight’s role is to help government think systematically about the future. We use the latest scientific and other evidence combined with futures analysis to tackle complex issues and help policymakers make decisions affecting our future.
Our work makes a critical contribution to meeting important challenges of the 21st century - such as food security, flooding and obesity.
- Foresight Projects are in-depth studies examining major issues 20-80 years in the future.
- The Foresight Horizon Scanning Centre does short projects looking at discrete issues across the entire public policy spectrum.
- Our Toolkits and Networks look to strengthen futures thinking capacity and share best practice within and across government.
Foresight reports directly to the Government Chief Scientific Adviser and the Cabinet Office. It is a part of the Government Office for Science within the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
Latest news
15 July 2010: Foresight Programme strategic futures online training tool
The Foresight Horizon Scanning Centre has created an online version of its popular strategic futures training. The training tool is aimed at strategists, policy makers, planners and operational staff responsible for shaping or implementing strategy so they can make better decisions about the future. The online tool complements Foresight's role in encouraging long term thinking and evidence-based analysis throughout government and public sector organisations.
Take the training.
16 June 2010: Changes to Future Analysts Network
The Future Analysts Network (FAN Club) has been running since 2005 as a forum where those who have an interest in horizon scanning and futures analysis could meet to exchange new ideas, innovative thinking and good practice. Five years on the FAN Club has seen its initial purpose largely fulfilled. The event held on 19 May was the last under the current model. A report on that meeting will appear on the website.
11 June 2010: 2009 Annual Review published
Foresight's annual review highlights our activities and how our work is used by government in 2009 and beyond. Interesting features include examples of national and international impact and the publication of Land Use Futures.
Read the review.