Future studies and foresight projects

Method description

Foresight is a strategic instrument for the systematic foresight of selected areas of social change. The IZT focuses on social and political as well as technological aspects of foresight in terms of future opportunities and risks of developments. In the area of technological foresight, the IZT uses participative-empirical approaches as well as supportive methods of early technology assessment (expert surveys, patent research, etc.). IZT's foresight processes involve the application of procedures that serve to uncover future trends and discontinuities and to identify opportunities and threats. On the other hand, they aim to create acceptance (appreciation) for future-related views, visions and developments themselves. Thus, it is also about the procedural integration and organisational embedding and shaping of the focused topics and decisions.