APF Most Significant Futures Works Program 2015

One of my favorite things I do as a futurist is to help coordinate the APF’s Most Significant Futures Works program. It is an opportunity to recognize the outstanding work of futurists and others exploring the future. It is also vitally important that we spread the word about good foresight work, so the public and potential clients know what it looks like….and want more of it.
The program kicked off in 2008 with a retrospective recognition of outstanding futures works from the past. Since then, it’s been an annual event (with a “pause” in 2010 and 2011) in which judges recognize outstanding works in three categories:

• Category 1 Advance the methodology and practice of foresight and futures studies
• Category 2 Analyze a significant future issue
• Category 3 Illuminate the future through literary or artistic works.

To get the ball rolling this year, I have nominated two works (in Category 1 and 3):

• Research Foresights: The Use of Strategic Foresight Methods for Ideation and Portfolio Management;Ted Farrington, Keith Henson, & Christian Crews; article; Research-Technology Management, March/April 2012, pp.26-33, Category: 1 Methods and practice; nominated by Andy Hines
• Byologic/Zed.TO; Trevor Haldenby, cross-platform narrative, http://byologyc.com/ and http://zed.to/; Category: 3 Illuminates future through artistic work; nominated by Andy Hines

Nominations are restricted to APF members, but if anyone has come across a great piece of foresight work, let me know (ahines@uh.edu) and I’ll explore getting it nominated. Check out the previous winners. Note how many program faculty and alums (in red) are represented among the winners — keep up the good work. —Andy Hines
Past MSFW Award Winners