The futures field has witnessed a rise in foresight training for government and business leaders. How should the public judge the quality of foresight training they receive? This article presents practical steps that foresight firms can take to upgrade their training impact through continuous improvement, based on the Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation Model.
Recently, I was interviewed by Peter Hayward, host of
As 2018 began I was honored to be appointed to a two-year term as Chair of the Association of Professional Futurists. One recurrent theme in my life has been the pull of the future. The future to me was when humanity would turn their swords into plowshares and take to the stars. Early on I was captured by the coming of the year 2000 as a milestone for global actions and celebrations. Having trained myself as a practicing futurist to serve alliances and cities, I was invited in 2002 to the founding meeting of the Association of Professional Futurists. Since that time I have learned so much from my peers. I am proud to be a credentialed member of this leading body of foresight professionals. See news.
From 2014 to 2016, I was part of a global team of 23 foresight professionals who worked on a “Foresight Competency Model,” that mapped the underlying competencies of futurists. See link to 2017: Hines, A., Gary, J., Daheim, C., & van der Lann, L. (2017, September). Building Foresight Capacity: Toward a Foresight Competency Model. World Futures Review, 9(3), 123-141.
After 2 years, and 3 rounds of peer review, my landmark global Delphi for 2030 has been published. See the URL link to: Gary, J. E., & von der Gracht, H. A. (2015, August). The future of foresight professionals: Results from a global Delphi study. Futures, 71, 132-145.
Abstract: In the fall of 2011 I conducted a Real-time Delphi survey with members of Empowered21, entitled: “Outlook 2020: The future of Spirit-empowered Christianity.”
Psychologists have told us that humans are distinct in their ability to think forward. To what degree is foresight an innate human function of our brain power, or thinking preferences? Continue reading
How did Jesus approach his future? How did the changes of his day impact his horizon? What can we learn from his context that will help us create a more sustainable future? Continue reading
This paper explores how a PhD in Futures Studies, if refocused on theory-building could create anticipatory theories across the social sciences, and buttress the work of a new generation of futurists. Continue reading
From 2009 to 2011 I served as the regional editor of Foresight, the journal of future studies, strategic thinking and policy. Continue reading