The Emergent Futures Group
Applying research and innovation to advance the development of networked enterprises.
The Emergent Futures Group provides strategic thinking methodologies that assist organisations, communities and individuals to co-create attractive and sustainable futures. Its purpose is catalytic, holistic and generative. Its fundamental assumption is that appropriate dialogic frameworks lead to the emergence of shared and preferred futures.
Theoretical underpinnings include:
- Soft Systems Methodology (SSM)
- Scenario Thinking (ST)
- Futures and strategic foresight methods
- Narrative theory and story-telling
- Creativity concepts.
The preferred approach is action learning.
Programmes are delivered through executive development, degree and other courses, research projects, conversations, and publications. Ongoing development of the ariadne framework, the core of the Group’s theoretical assumptions, is undertaken through applied research and aided by wider engagement in a learning community created through the Emergent Futures Seminar series.
The Group’s Principal is Professor Lynn Allen (Curtin Business School. She works with a wide range of colleagues and partners. The Group is advised by a distinguished panel of academic, corporate and community thinkers.
Navigating the Maze: Executive Education Course
The program provides the resources and necessary skills to deeply reflect upon and plan for the longer term future of your organisation. The course is run over 3 months. Find out more
Services and Products
The products and services offered by the Emergent Futures Group are aimed at assisting groups explore the future and generate new paths forward. The work of the Group draws on futures and systems thinking methodologies (including scenario thinking and the soft systems methodology); creativity and narrative concepts. These are increasingly being brought together into an integrated framework called ariadne which assists organisations to generate emergent futures for applications in policy, strategy and future orientated problem solving.
1. Consultancy and applied research
- Research and facilitation for groups seeking to generate new ways forward as part of the policy and strategy development process.
- Development of strategic conversation frameworks for organisations.
- Identification of longer term strategic risks.
2. Executive education
- An action research project titled Navigating the Maze. Fifteen senior executives from organisations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors address a future orientated issue in their own organisation. Participants learn the methodology which is complemented with coaching and have the added benefit of working closely with colleagues from other sectors.
3. Seminars
- A one day introductory seminar to futures and systems thinking.
- A two day seminar on Ariadne (a framework for surfacing emergent futures in applications such as policy and strategy development and future orientated problem solving).
- A two day Soft Systems Methodology course.
- A two day Scenario Planning seminar.
4. Learning seminars and network
5. Publications
- A Deep Conversation on the Theme: Generative Organisations?: Methodologies and ideas for thriving in a world of change and complexity, Curtin Business School.
- Sensing and creating the emerging opportunities of the 21st century: a contribution to creative and adaptive organisations, Trudi Lang. Working Paper 2005:1.
- No monopoly on creativity: Australia and the emerging creative class, Trudi Lang, Working Paper 2005:2.
Further Information
For specific information about how the Emergent Futures Group can assist you, please contact:
Lynn Allen: +61 8 9266 4859 - lynn.allen@curtin.edu.au