The Journal of Futures Studies announces the launch of its first monograph, “Anticipation to Emancipation: Toward a Stage Theory of the Uses of the Future“, written by Professor Sohail Inayatullah.
The monograph represents his latest work and synthesis, drawing on hundreds of case studies and decades in using the future in professional settings. It deepens the Six Pillars framework and accompanying tools (scenarios, causal layered analysis, visioning) by inquiring which methods and tools are appropriate for which national, institutional, organizational and personal contexts.
Seven stages are suggested. The first is perceived injustice – “it is not fair.” The second is risk mitigation. The third is creating alternative futures. In this phase, the future is used to understand what happens if nothing changes, what happens if there is marginal change, what happens if there is adaptive change, and what happens when a different conceptualization of and access to power emerges. The fourth is directionality, the vision. The fifth is “making the vision real.” The sixth is metaphor. In this phase, a narrative is created that helps move groups and individuals from the impossible to the powerful. The final state is personal and focused on using the mantra technique to transform the narrative.
The entire process intends to enhance our ability to create justice in our perceived worlds, moving from one future to alternative futures, to the the realization of preferred futures. The entire process is designed for the context of the user, to meet each person where she or he is at.
On March 15th 2022 we held a launch event for the monograph which brought together the JFS community to both learn and celebrate the work of one of the foremost pioneers in futures studies.
Opening comments were given by Dr. Jian-bang Deng, Head of the Graduate Institute of Futures Studies and Professor and Director of the Department of Education and Futures Design at Tamkang University. There was a presentation on the work by Professor Sohail Inayatullah, as well as a generous opportunity for Q&A from event participants. Finally, Dr. Riel Miller, Head of Futures Literacy, UNESCO, offered his reflections. A recording was made of the event and is now available for public viewing below.
