The growing need for foresight in Irish environmental research and policy: climate, energy and sustainability in times of flux

The growing need for foresight in Irish environmental research and policy: climate, energy and sustainability in times of flux

Tuesday 10 February 11am-12:30pm, H2.40 O’Brien Centre for Science (Hub) 

Tea/coffee from 10:30am on second floor O’Brien Centre for Science (East), by the staircase. Lunch will be provided after the event at 12:30.

Hosted by UCD Earth Institute and UCD Energy Institute 

Foresight, or futures studies, is an umbrella term for a range of techniques used in empirical inquiry and strategic policymaking to address uncertainty and to develop better policy. Internationally, these techniques are widely used in environmental research and policy, including climate, energy and sustainability, and are now considered standard practice. While interest in, and adoption of, foresight techniques is growing in Ireland, there has not yet been widespread implementation.

This interactive seminar offers both researchers and policy practitioners the opportunity to engage with this common agenda, at the cutting-edge of foresight. It will consider why foresight has become standard practice, what it involves and how it can be applied. It will also provide background in concepts and approaches, provide real-world case studies on application and consider the opportunities and benefits of foresight’s growing use in national analysis and policy.

The event will be of particular interest both to environmental researchers and also to those involved in policy development, across the spectrum. 

Speakers include (opens in a new window)Dr Tadhg O’Mahony (UCD School of Architecture and Environmental Policy), plus policy and academic experts. 

(opens in a new window)Please register here by Thursday 5 February.