Futures Thinking for Social Foresight (PDF)

Futures Thinking for Social Foresight

Richard A Slaughter with Marcus Bussey

This downloadable PDF publication provides teachers and students with a practical overview of futures studies. It also acts as a source book for teachers and others looking for activities and material that will help to develop futures literacy in their students. The long-term goal is that of creating social foresight. To these ends it offers a tapestry of sections that weave patterns via ideas and practical action. There are five main sections:

  1. Mapping Futures Studies – Key concepts
  2. Context and Applications
  3. Futures Concepts and Related Techniques
  4. Methods
  5. Futures Thinking for Social Foresight

In addition to these practical and user-friendly sections, there are a number of ‘reflections’ or short pieces that invite deeper consideration. In addition there are numerous diagrams and figures, many of which have been produced especially for this publication.

Overall, Futures Thinking for Social Foresight provides an accessible and comprehensive introduction to, and overview of, some of the best thinking and most accessible options available in futures studies and applied foresight. It can be used with students of all ages. Also available in CD-ROM format and as five separate PDF files for ready classroom use.

AFI Foresight Monographs

The Australian Foresight Institute Monograph Series was edited by Rowena Morrow and published from 2003 to 2006. In addition to the soft cover edition shown here the series was collected and re-published in a hard cover library edition in 2007. These publications were part of a research program on Creating and Sustaining Social Foresight that was supported…

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Whaley, C., Campbell, J. (et al) & Aust. House of Reps., The Elusive Potential of Applied Foresight (in Australia)

Enhancing Thinking and Creativity with Futures Studies, Charles E. Whaley, 99 pages, New York, Trillium Press, 1991, Pb US$12.99 Visions of a Future Australian Society: Towards an Educational Curriculum for 2000AD and Beyond, Campbell, J., McMeniman, M. & Baikaloff, N. 64 pp, Brisbane, QLD, Ministerial Consultative Council on Curriculum, 1992, Pb, Free From Short Term…

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