Centre for Futures and Foresight Studies
No one can predict what the future holds. But we can help you plan for it.
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The Centre for Futures and Foresight Studies (CFFS) combines deep methodological expertise in futures research with extensive sectoral knowledge. It offers rigorous research and analysis to inform decision making.
Good decisions rely on good evidence, now and for the future.
Our work helps you to both make better strategic decisions and shape your future.
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Bespoke research and analysis We draw on an extensive toolkit of futures research methods to help decision makers understand future change, improve decision making, and manage risks.
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Building futures and foresight capabilities We support organisations aiming to develop and integrate futures and foresight skills, processes and structures to improve internal analysis and decision making.
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Thought leadership Through advisory, videos, blogs and commentaries, we translate research insights into understandable formats to inform policy and strategic decisions.
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Futures research methods We continue RAND’s long history of methodological work, which started in the late 1950s and 1960s with the developments of the Delphi method and scenario analysis.
Our research uses innovative and tried-and-true methods, plus expert knowledge.
We use a range of futures approaches to help you reduce complexity and gain actionable insights, including methods to:
- Forecast future change using methods such as Horizon scanning, Trends analysis, Driver and Systems mapping.
- Anticipate future scenarios, including potential urgent developments, and understand how these may impact your organisation.
- Develop and explore possible futures, by using evidence-driven approaches to creating plausible scenarios of how different futures may look like.
- Explore options for action through traditional and innovative methods, drawing on the expertise of RAND's other methods centres.
We work for you—and with you.
Our approach to futures research is deeply rooted in collaboration, where we deploy bespoke and tailored approaches to your specific needs.
- At the crossroads of academic institutions and consultancies We translate rigorous and objective research and analysis into practical and actionable insights and impact-focused recommendations.
- A UK Government-approved provider of futures research We work under the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy ‘Futures Framework’ run in collaboration with GO Science.
- Proven track record of helping organisations make better decisions about the future We build on RAND’s 70-year legacy in futures and foresight and we continue to deliver world-class futures research and analysis.
LeadershipMeet our team.
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Erik Silfversten
Erik Silfversten is director of the RAND Europe Centre for Futures and Foresight Studies (CFFS) and an assistant director of the D&S team. He works at the intersection of technology, policy and the future and his primary research interest are complex, strategic policy challenges in relation to emerging technologies He has provided a wide range of futures and foresight research and advice to the UK government, especially to the Ministry of Defence. 
Salil Gunashekar
Salil Gunashekar is a senior research leader and deputy director of the Science and Emerging Technology team. With over two decades of experience of working in public policy research and academia, he has a particular interest in exploring the impact of emerging technologies, and in examining research systems policy. His work cuts across multiple sectors, often sitting at the intersection of technology, R&I systems, policy, and the future. He has long-standing experience of futures and foresight methods and is a member of the CFFS steering group.
Sonja Marjanovic
Sonja Marjanovic is director of RAND Europe’s portfolio of research in the field of health care innovation, industry and policy. She is a member of the CFFS steering group and has experience in designing and applying futures methods to research studies in areas of health care research. Her work provides decision makers with evidence and insights to support innovation and improvement in health care systems, and to support the translation of innovation into societal benefits for health care services and population health.
Stijn Hoorens
Stijn Hoorens is a senior research leader at RAND Europe and director of RAND’s office in Brussels. He has 20 years of experience in conducting foresight and horizon scanning, as well as designing and implementing futures studies in a range of policy areas.
Contact us Get in touch.
Let’s start a conversation about how we can work together to help you be better prepared for the future.