About Foresight
Since its creation in 1994 the Foresight Programme has helped the UK Government to think systematically about the future. We advise government about how to ensure today’s decisions are robust to future uncertainties.
By combining the latest science and evidence with futures analysis, we help policy makers tackle complex issues with a better understanding of the potential opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
We do this in three ways:
- Major Foresight Projects: in-depth two-year studies which build a comprehensive evidence base on major issues looking 20-80 years into the future
- Policy Futures Projects: shorter projects which provide futures and evidence analysis to fill a specific gap in existing policy understanding
- The Foresight Horizon Scanning Centre: training, toolkits and networks to strengthen futures thinking capacity and share best practice within and across government
Our work is used to stimulate and inform the development of more effective strategies, policies and priorities at national and international levels.
Foresight is headed by Professor Sir Mark Walport, the Government Chief Scientific Adviser, who reports directly to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. It is a part of the Government Office for Science within the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.
