FIF Series EP 89 - Participatory Futures Methods - REAL

Explore the transformative power of participatory futures methods and learn how to engage diverse stakeholders in co-creating futures rather than relying solely on expert analysis. We examine why traditional expert-driven foresight approaches have significant limitations and how participatory methods can enhance both the quality and impact of futures work.

• Traditional foresight often suffers from limited perspectives, implementation gaps, power imbalances, and missed innovation opportunities
• Participatory futures approaches enrich foresight by incorporating multiple perspectives and building ownership
• Key principles include genuine inclusion, recognizing multiple ways of knowing, power awareness, future literacy development, and action orientation
• Practical methods include collective horizon scanning, visioning workshops, futures dialogues, immersive scenario experiences, participatory policy design, and future prototyping
• Effective processes require clarity of purpose, strategic stakeholder engagement, inclusive design, and clear bridges to action
• Case studies demonstrate how participatory approaches have created significant value in both corporate and public sector contexts
• Common challenges include time constraints, participants lacking futures literacy, process unpredictability, and leadership skepticism

The future doesn't belong to experts alone. By engaging diverse perspectives in co-creating futures, we generate richer insights and build collective capacity to shape what's ahead in ways that benefit more people. Join us next episode as we explore the ethical responsibilities of futures practitioners.

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🎧 Listen Now On:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/think-forward-conversations-with-futurists-innovators-and-big-thinkers/id1736144515

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IOn8PZCMMC04uixlATqoO

Web: https://thinkforward.buzzsprout.com/

Thank you for joining me on this ongoing journey into the future. Until next time, stay curious, and always think forward.