Abstract

Many organisations are increasingly aware of the advantages of active foresight work. However, these endeavours are often lacking long-term vision and efficacy. Furthermore, its implications are not considered holistically in decision-making processes and in the selection of strategic development objectives. Nevertheless, it can be proved that systematic foresight is needed to guarantee sustainable knowledge valorisation and impact of RDI projects among various stakeholders.

Universities should have the capacities to act as pioneers of future trends, phenomena and signals as well as a shared vision of the desired future. Often, however, they lack relevant skills and competencies for systematic and strategic foresight work at individual and institutional level. RMAs as part of the key actors in creating impact and value should have an essential role in foresight.

For simplifying the foresight process in pre-award activities, PMO at TAMK has prepared a cycle for foresight data management and systematic foresight process with five different phases: 1) Mapping of the present situation and defining objectives, 2) Future data collection and processing, 3) Creation of alternative visions and defining the desired one, 4) Utilization of data and results in decision-making, and 5) Actions and follow-up.

All these phases can be supported by pre-defined guiding questions, selected foresight methods and tools as well as acquired competencies. When this process is well imbedded and resourced in RDI service processes, proper future data management and clear vision will make selection of focus areas and topics together with the researchers and experts more transparent and decision making better based on data. In our poster, we will also describe the first results of a small-scale pilot implemented in TAMK’s pre-award team using Future’s Platform in selected project preparation processes.

With better competences of foresight, human understanding of the future trends, and shared vision, RMAs can support researchers towards more impactful and sustainable topics and activities.

Our take-away message: With our presentation we want to engage and inspire the RMA community to envisage and debate our stronger role and capacities in foresight. We RMAs should remember that we can also influence our desired future – the future is made together.