Academic scholarship & research with commercial relevance - Social Futures Observatory

The Social Futures Observatory and CeMoRe at Lancaster University are hosting a morning of talks and discussion led by a range of experts on futures. Taking place on Wednesday 14th March, at the Royal Society of Arts in London, the event will be co-hosted by:

Michael HULME, Director of the Social Futures Observatory www.socialfuturesobservatory.co.uk & Hon Professor, Lancaster University

John URRY, Distinguished Professor & Director of the Centre for Mobilities Research, Lancaster University www.lancs.ac.uk/fass/centres/cemore

The focus will be on futures in 'mobilities', ranging from potential new kinds of social networking, modes of communication and information exchange to large-scale future transportation infrastructures. In thinking futures we are especially interested in 'social habits'. Much of the time these seem so taken-for-granted and fixed; and yet some novel changes in habits spring up 'left-stage' and become almost overnight how life now has to be. These tipping points are obviously difficult to anticipate but essential for thinking and planning different futures.

Attendees, free and by invitation only, will be from the commercial, academic, thinktank, policy, and NGO sectors, coming together over one morning to reflect upon futures and the processes of future-making.

Location: The Royal Society of Arts, Durham Street Auditorium, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ Registration/refreshments from 8:30am; Event time 9:00am to 12:00

Already used by many of the UKs leading organisations our 'Future Vision Workshops' explore the indicators and direction of likely consumer behavioural change over the coming 12-24 months. Each workshop is specifically tailored to the client but all draw on analysis of political, economic, social and technological issues likely to have measurable impact over the coming 24 months. Each workshop sets local conditions in a global context. The work draws on many data sources, commercial and academic, to present a balanced but challenging and provocative view. In addition it includes interviews with individuals explaining what concerns them and their hopes/fears for the future.

The workshop is designed to provide a single point of context for clients and to assist with planning, research and development cycles. Our 2012 workshops commence in February 2012.