Future studies is a field of study that examines variables such as the economy, climate, and political change to determine the kinds of issues, risks, and opportunities we will encounter in the years to come. Futurists are individuals trained to examine these variables and develop a picture of what the future will look like. Part of the reson why experts try to predict the future is to gain insight and make more informed decisions.

Finnish Society for Futures Studies
The Millennium Project
The College of Marin

Studying the future is not an easy task. However, there are schools that prepare individuals to study the future and become futurists. Some of these schools and academic programs are listed below.

Futures Studies
Open Here Futures Research
Future Survey-June 2002
World Futures Studies Federation
University of Houston, Clear Lake-Masters in Futures Studies
University of Kerala-Masters in Futures Studies

The people who conduct surveys, samples, and create futures scenarios are called futurists. Futurists receive training that prepares them to integrate information from different sources and produce a workable blueprint of how the future may look. This blueprint or scenario gives decisionmakers knowledge and background information.

The Legal Futurist
Futurism and Futurists
Association of Professional Futurists
Futurist.com

Below are a sample of articles that provide additional resources and information about futures studies and futurists.

UNESCO list of resources on futures studies International Journal of Futures Studies
Chronicle of the Future
Journal of Futures Studies
Building Blocks for Futures Studies

Scenario Planning