Strategic Foresight
Framework Visualized. Source: The University of Houston Foresight Resources
I started off as a research analyst for the first semester. Our team learned the foundational framework of foresight work, from technical terms to best practices. Each week, we scoured articles, podcasts, newsletters, and thought pieces for early signals—stories on the fringes of technology, policy, and society. Once we gathered these wide-ranging sources, we looked for patterns and underlying connections. Our goal was to pinpoint the standout ideas that could shape future scenarios.
Then came the fun part: imagining detailed worlds where these emerging trends were fully realized, followed by creating artifacts or visuals that illustrated those possibilities. It was incredibly engaging work, culminating in our first foresight report, Horizon Shift. We were fortunate to share it with multiple industry partners, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
In the spring of 2023, NEXT Innovation Scholars (NIS) decided to pilot a new type of project called Strategic Foresight. Our advisor, Aaron Bradley—certified in Foresight from the University of Houston—worked alongside a select group of us who received additional training from Jump, a consulting firm in San Francisco.
Strategic Foresight is all about exploring and anticipating potential futures to inform present-day decision-making. It leverages trends analysis, scenario development, and stakeholder engagement to identify both opportunities and threats. When the sign-up opened, I jumped at the chance. The project’s unique blend of quantitative research and intuitive, imaginative work sounded ideal, and it soon became my favorite college endeavor—pushing me to innovate, improve, and take on more responsibility.
Horizon Shift:
The following semester, I stepped up as a project lead. My onboarding was a deep dive into professional foresight practices, including a two-day training session at Jump in San Francisco. I also worked closely with Aaron Bradley and returning student leader, Jonathan Raj. Together, we refined our processes, aiming to establish Strategic Foresight as a permanent offering within NIS and, one day, expand its scope to serve commercial clients.
This semester, we took a more directed approach, narrowing our focus to the entertainment, healthcare, and education industries. I led nine student researchers from seven different majors, overseeing everything from initial source discovery and trends analysis to scenario development. Our efforts paid off: Jonathan and I won the Neil Armstrong Innovation Award, and I was honored to present our work at the Innovation Showcase before industry partners like Kroger. We’re now finalizing our second report, eagerly awaiting its editing and publication.
Artifact
One of our team’s core deliverables is a creative artifact that spotlights future possibilities. In one example, we explored the idea that human actors in commercials, television, and film might soon be replaced by AI-generated models. This shift could redefine beauty standards, moving away from traditional human features toward AI-crafted aesthetics.
As we continue refining and releasing foresight reports, I’m excited to see how this practice evolves within NEXT Innovation Scholars—and how it will equip us to shape the future, rather than simply respond to it.