TY - BOOK
T1 - ERA Toolkit: Applications of Wild Cards and Weak Signals to the Grand Challenges & Thematic Priorities of the European Research Area
AU - Ravetz, J
AU - Miles, I
AU - Popper, R
N1 - EUROPEAN COMMI SSIONDirectorate-General for Research and Innovation Directorate B – European Research Area Unit B.5Social Sciences and HumanitiesThis report was launched at a major conference on Horizon 2020 for the European Commission, Brussels, October 2011
PY - 2011/10/28
Y1 - 2011/10/28
N2 - This ‘ERA-Toolkit’ report aims to be a source of reference and inspiration, for all those involved with the European Research Area. We explore some of the applications of the iKnow methods and tools to the themes of the ERA. We find from experience that such themes call for a ‘Wild approach’ to exploration and deliberation in foresight and horizon scanning. In particular, this is supported by the ‘WI-WE’ (Wild Card / Weak Signal) resources – a whole platform of innovation tools (iBank, iScan, iLibrary, iCommunity, iDelphi, iNews and iOracle), as created by the iKnow project.The themes of the ERA range far and wide, across technological, economic, environmental, political, social and ethical (TEEPSE) issues. Here these are set out in the form of 21 ‘Grand Challenges’and 11 ‘Thematic Priorities’. Each of these Grand Challenges and Thematic Priorities is a broad and deep agenda. Often they aim to address so-called ‘wicked’ problems: issues which lack fixed boundaries or definitions; without clear scientific methods or evidence; and lacking any consensus on policy responses. Each of these extends from multi-disciplinary scientific approaches, towards other parts of society; policy and governance; finance and business; media and culture; and community and civil society. And for each of these Grand Challenges and Thematic Priorities, it is clear that conventional research methods are generally not enough. To explore a world which is increasingly complex, interconnected, multi-level and vulnerable, new approaches are needed, which can respond both to systemic risks and to creative opportunities. To explore such risks and opportunities is the essence of the Wild approach, as supported with the WI-WE resources. This report provides a first outline of how this is taking shape on the ground It is designed to be used in parallel to the iKnow platform on http://www.iknowfutures.eu, and in particular to the Practical Guide to applications of Wild Cards and Weak Signals.
AB - This ‘ERA-Toolkit’ report aims to be a source of reference and inspiration, for all those involved with the European Research Area. We explore some of the applications of the iKnow methods and tools to the themes of the ERA. We find from experience that such themes call for a ‘Wild approach’ to exploration and deliberation in foresight and horizon scanning. In particular, this is supported by the ‘WI-WE’ (Wild Card / Weak Signal) resources – a whole platform of innovation tools (iBank, iScan, iLibrary, iCommunity, iDelphi, iNews and iOracle), as created by the iKnow project.The themes of the ERA range far and wide, across technological, economic, environmental, political, social and ethical (TEEPSE) issues. Here these are set out in the form of 21 ‘Grand Challenges’and 11 ‘Thematic Priorities’. Each of these Grand Challenges and Thematic Priorities is a broad and deep agenda. Often they aim to address so-called ‘wicked’ problems: issues which lack fixed boundaries or definitions; without clear scientific methods or evidence; and lacking any consensus on policy responses. Each of these extends from multi-disciplinary scientific approaches, towards other parts of society; policy and governance; finance and business; media and culture; and community and civil society. And for each of these Grand Challenges and Thematic Priorities, it is clear that conventional research methods are generally not enough. To explore a world which is increasingly complex, interconnected, multi-level and vulnerable, new approaches are needed, which can respond both to systemic risks and to creative opportunities. To explore such risks and opportunities is the essence of the Wild approach, as supported with the WI-WE resources. This report provides a first outline of how this is taking shape on the ground It is designed to be used in parallel to the iKnow platform on http://www.iknowfutures.eu, and in particular to the Practical Guide to applications of Wild Cards and Weak Signals.
M3 - Commissioned report
SN - 978-0-946007-26-4
BT - ERA Toolkit: Applications of Wild Cards and Weak Signals to the Grand Challenges & Thematic Priorities of the European Research Area
PB - Manchester Institute of Innovation Research
CY - Manchester
ER -