Seminar on "Science and Technology Foresight: Methods and Practice"

On April 4, 2012 the Research Laboratory of Science and Technology Studies, HSE Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK), organized the workshop "Science and Technology Foresight: Methods and Practice". Issues of the future development of science and technology, prospects of emerging and general purpose technologies, and evaluation of effectiveness of Foresight studies were considered at the workshop.

One of the main subjects discussed at the workshop was the concept of Grand Challenges and its relationship to S&T Foresight. Dr. Rafael Popper made a very interesting presentation on this topic.  The concept is based on three key aspects, the first of which is existence of multipleapproaches to understanding and changing the future. Rafael Popper proposed the «SMARTER» concept, which consists of seven components:

• Scoping;
• Mobilising;
• Anticipating;
• Recommending;
• Transforming;
• Evaluating;
• Renewing.

The second key aspect implies use of a wide range of tools to support scanning processes. Finally, the third aspect suggests using a network innovative approach that allows to adapts IT-tools and software in such a way that ensures receipt of relevant results.

Presentations:

A. Chulok	"Future of S&T: Evaluation of the Prospects of Mature and Emerging Technologies"
D. Meissner	"Assessing the Effectiveness of Foresight Studies"
R. Popper	"Grand Challenges and S&T Foresight"
L. Ogorodova	"Medicine of the future: foresightbased choice of priorities"