Have you ever wondered if "predicting the future" can actually be taught in a classroom, or if every futurist is just making it up as they go? For an emerging discipline, the lack of a standardized curriculum can often feel like a barrier to professional legitimacy. This episode explores the efforts of the University Foresight Network to uncover the shared foundations beneath diverse academic approaches to foresight and strategic planning [1, 2].

In this paper, Peter Bishop details a collaborative investigation involving five major global programs—including the well-known "Manoa School" in Hawaii and the University of Houston—to determine if they are teaching a common core [3, 4]. While each program brings its own unique flavor, from experiential artifacts to philosophically explicit lists, the study uncovers a surprising level of consensus on the essential theories, frameworks, and methods that prepare students for careers in the field [2, 5].

Establishing this common ground is more than just an academic exercise; it is a vital step toward the credibility and accreditation of the foresight profession [6]. By documenting these shared concepts, methods, and professional skills, the work provides a blueprint for how a nascent field matures into a recognized discipline with sound principles [6].

Tune in to discover how the experts are building the blueprint for tomorrow's foresight education.

Ref:
Peter Bishop. The University Foresight Network: The Search for Common Ground among Foresight Educators. World Future Review, 8(1), 2016, 6–11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1946756715627371