Abstract submission is closed.
We thank all the authors for their contributions.
The review team is now evaluating the submissions and we will inform all the corresponding authors of the acceptance as soon as possible.
Futures Conference 2025 focuses on the futures of technologies, their development, importance, role and risks as a driver of social change. What are the effects of social and environmental changes on technological development and vice versa?
The conference will focus on question like how can organisations and societies proactively manage the dual role of technology both as a solution and a source of new societal dilemmas; how can AI and other technologies contribute in advancing the scientific discipline and innovative approaches to technology within futures studies and foresight; how to perceive and rethink the linkages between novel technologies and policy-making; and how to reconstruct innovation policies in an era of pervasive technological changes.
Technology often emerges both as a solution to and a source of new societal dilemmas. ‘Mutual shaping of socio-technical transformation’ refers to the idea that technological and societal changes influence and shape each other in a reciprocal manner.
Futures studies has emphasised envisioning multiple, competing preferable futures and recognising that the future is not predetermined but shaped by our collective choices. Our choices will also lead to impacts, calling for ex-ante impact assessment of our technological futures. Assessing the potential effects of technologies before they are fully implemented, we can better foresee and mitigate negative consequences while enhancing positive outcomes. This proactive approach to foresight enables societies to navigate the uncertainties of technological innovation more effectively. In the industrial context, the pursuit of competitiveness through the adoption of new technologies underscores the necessity for stronger integration of foresight into management practices in both strategic and tactical level.
Policy-making, especially in technology and innovation policies, are connected in multiple ways to technology development. Recently, there has been multiple calls from various actors to ‘reboot’ innovation system policies and to rethink the linkages between novel technologies and policy-making. Thus, there is a need to scrutinise and reconstruct different aspects of the ‘new innovation policies’ in the context of new pervasive technologies.
The ‘Futures of Technologies’ conference will create a cross-sectoral platform where participants can meet, share, and discuss these issues. The conference program will consist of plenary lectures, parallel paper and panel sessions as well as participatory workshops. The conference will aim to generate multidisciplinary, stimulating and critical discussions that promote networking between people interested in futures issues from different backgrounds and perspectives.
Guidelines to Abstract Submissions
We invite researchers, scholars, practitioners, consultants and students from universities, research institutes, companies, governmental and non-governmental organisations to share the latest research results, findings and thoughts on these key topics:
1. Theoretical frameworks of technology in futures studies and foresight
2. Methodological innovations due to AI and emerging technologies
3. Anticipatory governance of emerging technologies
4. Linkages between foresight, technology, and policymaking
5. Bridging foresight and management: futures studies approach in management practices
6. Case studies on technology-enabled future design
7. The use of technologies in research, teaching and learning
8. Futures of the digital and green transitions
9. The role of technology in tackling global challenges
10. Technology impact assessment
11. Ethical issues in technology
The conference sessions will be categorised into two different lines: academia-oriented and practice-oriented presentations. We kindly ask you to choose between these two when you submit your abstract. The following guidelines for all kinds of presentations are advisory.
Academia-Oriented Presentations
Presentations based on empirical, methodological or theoretical research projects:
– Background and purpose: description of the problem, study objectives, research question(s) and/or hypotheses;
– Methods: study design, including a description of participants and selection strategies, data collection procedures, measures, and approaches to analysis;
– Findings: specific results in summary form;
– Conclusions and implications: description of the main outcome(s) of the study and implications for practice, policy or further research.
Practice-Oriented Presentations
Presentations based on practical case studies or related to policy or education:
– Background and purpose of the presentation;
– A summary of the main points of the presentation;
– How the presentation will address one or more of the conference’s aims and themes;
– Conclusions from and implications of your presentation for practice, policy or further research.
Submit your abstract for a) paper presentation, b) panel session or c) interactive workshop (max. 400 words) no later than 31 January 2025.
Abstract submission is now closed. We thank all the authors for their contributions. The review team is now evaluating the submissions and we will inform all the corresponding authors of the acceptance as soon as possible.
The submission and review of papers will be managed through an online conference paper management system called EasyChair. See a short guide to support you in the submission process.
Important Dates
Deadline for the abstracts: 31 January 2025
Notification of acceptance: 3 March 2025
Conference Organisers
‘Futures of Technologies’ is the 25th international Futures Conference of the Finland Futures Research Centre and Finland Futures Academy, University of Turku. It is organised together with the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
Futures of Technologies │ 10–12 June 2025 