INFU - Innovation Futures
New Innovation Structures in Europe: Visions. Scenarios. Policy Recommendations. Open Innovation, User-Co-Design, or Rapid Prototyping: In the EU research project "Innovation Futures in Europe", Z _punkt examines trends that might lastingly transform the European innovation landscape. The goal is to derive strategic options for EU research policy. In a first step, "weak signals" that indicate a change in innovation structures were being collected. The entire list was published in the first project report, which is available for download on the project website. As second step of the project, different expert committees develop visions on the basis of these "weak signals". Based on this, a moderated Foresight Process finally serves to develop scenarios and to derive policy recommendations. The project ends in December 2011. Project partners: Austrian Institute of Technology, Fraunhofer ISI, and Strategic Design Scenarios.
iKnow - Interconnecting Knowledge
Methods for the Scanning and Analysis of Wild Cards and Weak Signals Tsunamis, terrorism, financial crisis: As yet, we are unable to prepare adequately for unexpected and disruptive developments. The European Commission has therefore launched the project iKnow. Between the years 2008 and 2011, an online databank is being established that interlinks scientists and politicians, provides information, and advances methods. iKnow is geared towards the early identification of important themes and developments that influence the European research landscape. For this purpose, Z_punkt refines methods for the scanning and analysis of wild cards and weak signals, together with seven partners from other EU member states as well as Israel. An interactive platform provides access to a databank of current wild cards and weak signals.
FNR Foresight for Luxemburg
Prioritising Research Fields Between October 2006 and March 2007, Z_punkt – in collaboration with VDI-TZ Düsseldorf’s Zukünftige Technologien Consulting – accompanied a Foresight process which identified mid term to long term scientific research fields and promotional priorities for Luxembourg on behalf of the “Fond National de la Recherche“ of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Emerging Technologies
Research Priorities in the EU, the USA,
and Japan
The project “Emerging Science and Technology Priorities in Public Research Policies of the European Countries, the US and Japan” was concluded in October 2005. On behalf of the European Union, Z_punkt identified – in collaboration with an international pool spearheaded by CM International – 40 future technologies which can be listed as the research priorities of the countries surveyed, and drew up recommendations for the European Union where to orientate future research promotion.
