Universities Futures Lab - Podcast series Mind and body
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Dec 19, 2024 
Renato Soldenhoff, a Futures and strategic design practitioner at Zurich University of the Arts, explores the transformative role of futures thinking in education. He discusses how the pandemic accelerated digital transformation, making previously imagined scenarios a reality. Renato highlights the importance of arts-based methods for engaging senses, encouraging collaboration, and moving beyond comfort zones. He offers practical takeaways on co-creating futures and using improvisation as a powerful tool for change.
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Atelier Futures Started Before COVID
- Renato described how Atelier Futures began as internal training just before the COVID lockdown and then expanded after the pandemic validated its scenarios.
- The sudden shift to digital learning made their previously ‘crazy’ scenarios suddenly real and accelerated their work on futures methods.
Futures Thinking Shapes Curricula
- Futures thinking invites universities to consider long-term challenges and changing curricula, competencies, and formats.
- Renato argues this helps institutions anticipate direction and adapt educational offerings proactively.
Futures Work Builds Adaptive Mindsets
- Participating in futures processes cultivates imagination, flexibility and calmness toward change.
- Renato says these personal skills make staff and students more responsive and less anxious in uncertain times.