A peek into the next half century…
The forward look, commissioned by the government's Horizon Scanning Centre, comprises two scans – entitled Sigma and Delta – that look at emerging trends, potential new issues, opportunities and threats, and the possible implications for society.
The Delta Scan contains 100 short papers exploring expert views on the future in science and technology. The broader Sigma Scan contains 146 short papers aimed at identifying future issues and trends across the entire public policy spectrum.
The UK’s chief scientist, David King said the scans aim to stimulate debate. “We’re not in the business of predicting the future, but we do need to explore the broadest range of different possibilities to help ensure government is prepared in the long-term and considers issues across the spectrum in its planning.”
However, he stressed the scans are independent and do not constitute government policy.
The issues covered provide a framework for Horizon Scanning Centre's future work across government on science and technology developments, and their impact on strategy and policy.
The scans will also be used by the Department of Trade and Industry’s Sciencehorizons public engagement programme, on the wider implications of science and technology, which will present the public with visions of how new developments in science and technology over the next 15 to 20 years could affect the future.
The Delta Scan includes contributions from over 200 science and technology experts through workshops in the UK and US, interviews and on-line contributions.
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