Dr. Andy Hines, assistant professor and program coordinator of the University of Houston Foresight program, traveled to Dubai in November and led team members from the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) through a scenario planning and implications workshop. The project is exploring how the work of the GDRFA will be different from now until 2030. In addition to the scenario planning activity, the project involves a horizon scan and a final report that pulls it all together. Horizon scanning is a process used by futurists for identifying, collect, and analyzing "signals" of future changes. These signals provide clues to emerging trends and issues of the future.
Dr. Hines serves as the principal investigator; and, Alexandra Whittington, lecturer in the Foresight program is leading the project with responsibility for the ongoing activities. Foresight program graduate students Katie King, Eric Kingsbury, Maria Romero, and Mark Sackler are also assisting with the project.
"Through the Future Foresight Foundation, our research program continues to gain momentum; and, we have had a great learning experience so far. We are quite pleased to provide real-life project experience for our students," said Dr. Hines.
See the Houston Foresight blog for more news about how the grad program prepares futurists.