Foresight Theory and Concepts

2025/2026

Academic Year

ENG

Instruction in English

3

ECTS credits

Delivered at:

Department of Educational Programmes

Course type:

Compulsory course

When:

1 year, 3 module

Instructor

Chulok, Alexander

Course Syllabus

Abstract

Foresight is the art and science of exploring and shaping the future. It is the application of systemic, participatory, future-intelligence-gathering, and medium to long-term vision building process to informing present- day decisions and mobilizing joint actions. With growing complexities and uncertainties in our world, Foresight has become a first and key step of innovation.

Learning Objectives

• To introduce the concept of Foresight, its theoretical background as well as the process, and approaches; quantitative and qualitative methods like trend watching, horizon scanning, big data analysis, scenario planning, prioritization, Delphi surveys, strategic and technological roadmaps; innovative ways of decision-making and STI policy formulation; STI strategy- and priority-setting; cooperation and networking with stakeholders.
• To form students' understanding of the basics Foresight and Strategic Planning in a complementary stance, including methods for scanning environments, identifying trends and drivers of change with weak signals and wild cards, developing future scenarios and visions and making long, medium and short term strategic plans for identifying priorities and actions.

Course Contents

• Basics of Foresight and Strategic Planning
• Objectives and Processes of Foresight
• Methodology for Foresight and Strategic Planning
• Scenarios technique
• Translating Foresight into strategy
• Embedding Foresight into organisations

Assessment Elements

• Seminar Activity
• Presentation
• Final control

Interim Assessment

• 2025/2026 3rd module
  0.4 * Final control + 0.3 * Presentation + 0.3 * Seminar Activity

Authors

• Зинченко Екатерина Андреевна
• CHULOK ALEKSANDR ALEKSANDROVICH