Projects
Foresight
About Foresight
Foresight is a national programme, managed by the Office of Science and Innovation (OSI), to develop visions of the future to guide people who make today's decisions in business, academia and government. Originally launched in 1994 as the Technology Foresight programme, following a recommendation in the 1993 White Paper, Realising our Potential, the second round of the Foresight programme, was announced by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in December 1998, and was due to finish in March 2004.
However, following the review of the Foresight programme in 2001, Foresight was re-organised into a series of rolling projects rather than a panel-based exercise and are allowed to operate as and when necessary for as long as necessary. The new Foresight exercise was launched on 29 April 2002 by Lord Sainsbury of Turville. The first two pilot projects of the new exercise were on Flood and Coastal Defence and Cognitive Systems. Further projects included Cyber Trust and Crime Prevention, and Exploiting the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the latter of which was supported by the Institute.
The following highlights the Institute's contribution to the national programme.
Events
Meetings organised under the auspices of the Institute:
Physics and Foresight: Science in our lives
Tuesday 13th April 1999, University of Salford
Reflecting the broader issues of sustaining competitive advantage and enhancing quality of life, this meeting addressed the role of physics within two key Foresight themes - the Ageing Population and Crime Prevention. Invited speakers included experts in social trends and practising scientists who, together, discussed threats and market opportunities, staging a debate on how science and society can work together.
If you would like to know more about this subject, there were two reports which were developed as a result of this meeting: 'Physics and Foresight: Science in our lives' and 'Physics and Foresight: Consulting the community'. Please contact the Department of Higher Education & Research Policy for a free hard copy.
Future Nuclear Power - the practicalities
Wednesday, 28th November 2001, DTI Conference Centre
The Institute in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Biology organised the first in a series of expert workshops to inform the Foresight process, on Future Nuclear Power - the practicalities. The workshop was chaired by Dr Alun Jones, Institute of Physics.
Final report of the meeting .
The Royal Society of Chemistry held its workshop on Hydrogen on 9 January 2002 and the Institute of Biology held its workshop on Biofuels on 6 February 2002. In addition, the Institute of Energy was invited to run a fourth worskhop in the series, on Energy Storage on 5 March 2002.
Reports
The following reports have been prepared by the Institute and its members as a contribution to Foresight:
Technology Foresight - The Implications for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
Institute of Physics, 1996
Produced by the Institute with the support of the DTI, this report aims to provide a commentary on the recommendations of the Technology Foresight reports which are relevant to technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It identifies relevant technology and market trends as well as business considerations of significance to SMEs.
Physics and Foresight: Science in our lives
A summary of the meeting held at the Institute of Physics Annual Congress on 13 April 1999
Institute of Physics, 1999
Physics impacts upon numerous wealth creation and quality of life issues. To demonstrate, this report illustrates the broad impact that physics can have within the core Foresight themes of Crime Prevention and the Ageing Population. A summary of presentations and dialogues which took place at a one-day meeting during the Institute's 1999 Annual Congress. Please contact the Institute for a hard copy.
Physics and Foresight: Consulting the community
A report of a survey of physics research for Crime Prevention and the Ageing Population November 1999
Institute of Physics, 1999
This report presents the results from a major electronic survey of current and proposed physics research that is relevant, or has potential applicability, to the Ageing Population and Crime Prevention. A commentary from the Institute aims to draw out trends and opportunities for the future. Please contact the Institute for a hard copy.
Physics for Foresight - Physics at the heart of the future
Institute of Physics, 2001
Produced by the Institute, this report presents all of the Institute's official responses to the second round of the Foresight programme, which began in April 1999.
Foresight for the 21st century - A forward look for physics
Institute of Physics, 2001
Produced by the Institute, this report reviews the Foresight panels' consultation recommendation reports published in December 2000 and highlights areas identified within them where physics and physicists will contribute vital knowledge and/or expertise.
Projects
Functional Materials
The Institute provided secretariat support to a Task Force of the Materials Panel which reviewed the research area of Functional Materials.
The Task Force was chaired by Professor Graham Davies, University of Birmingham, and Chairman of the Foresight Materials Panel, which aimed to highlight key technology areas in the field of Functional Materials which have a high potential and where the UK should be doing more to strengthen its position.
The Task Force produced a report , which provided a list of key policy recommendations to influence support and funding in the areas identified to government, industry and the Research Councils.
Membership of the Task Force
Professor Graham Davies, University of Birmingham - Chair
Professor Colin Humphreys, University of Cambridge
Professor Will Stewart, ex-Marconi plc
Dr Rob Hardeman, Seagate Technology
Dr Bryan Gallagher, University of Nottingham
Dr Tom Foxon, University of Nottingham
Dr Markys Cain, National Physical Laboratory
Dr Robert Bowman, Queen's University of Belfast
Exploiting the Electromagnetic Spectrum
The Institute supported the Exploiting the Electromagnetic Spectrum Foresight Project.
Final report of the project.
Further Information
Further information on the Foresight programme can be obtained from the Foresight website.
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