Future-oriented Technology Analyses: Methods and Impacts

Chair	Anders Jacobi
Day and time	Thursday, March 14^th, 2013: 10:00 – 13:15

Gunter Clar (Steinbeis-Europa-Zentrum) speaking

Future-oriented technology analyses (FTA) provide a systematic outlook and assessment of technology trends and possible developments, assisting better informed policy-making. These forward-looking activities, including foresight, gain significance due to rapid technological changes especially in the context of their possible economic and societal impacts.

The aim of this session was to explore the issue of technology assessment from the perspective of FTA. The session searched for mutual links of FTA and technology assessment. Is it technology assessment that enriches knowledge base to consequent FTA? Or it is FTA that serves as a tool for a more comprehensive technology assessment? Presentations throughout the session provided a number of case studies and shared experience in utilisation of forward-looking activities, methods and tools in specific sectors, contexts and settings. The focus of the presentations were therefore placed on practical utilisation and outputs of the presented projects. The consequent discussions tried to answer the questions stated above: How can forward-looking activities contribute to the development of technology assessment methods and vice-versa?

The abstracts of the session can be read here.

Presentations of the session: