DTI publishes technology reports: a crystal balls looking 50 years ahead

The two Scans - entitled Sigma and Delta (www.sigmascan.org and www.deltascan.org
)- look forward 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 drawing comprehensively on current futures work, which is research aimed at identifying future issues and trends across the entire public policy spectrum.

The Government's Chief Scientific Adviser Sir David King, who oversees the work of the Horizon Scanning Centre, said:

"These Scans are tools for government to identify risks and opportunities in the future.

"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.

"The Scans are aimed at stimulating debate and critical discussion to enhance government's short and long term policy and strategy."

The Scans reflect the Government's commitment to forward-looking strategic approaches based on good evidence and analysis. However, the Scans are independent and do not constitute government policy.

The issues covered in the Scans will continue to 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 DTI's Sciencehorizons public engagement programme on the wider implications of science and technology. Sciencehorizons will present the public with visions of how new developments in science and technology over the next 15-20 years could affect our future.
A series of events will be held in the first half of 2007 in science centres and community spaces to help strengthen communication between the public and Government on science issues.

Issues from the two Scans have already been used in the Horizon Scanning Centre's work across government, including:

* Scan outputs have informed the Treasury's recently published 'Long Term Challenges' paper describing horizon scanning as a 'vital tool'; * They have been used by the Health & Safety Executive to inform scenarios on the future of workplace health and safety; and, * In the UK-Asian Trade 2020 project, part of the Asia Task Force initiative launched by the Chancellor. The Scan provided the context and broad framework for workshops in five Asian countries.

The Horizon Scanning Centre (HSC) is part of the Foresight Directorate within the Office of Science and Innovation (OSI). The OSI is headed by Sir David King, the Chief Scientific Adviser to the UK Government and is situated within the DTI.

The HSC identifies future issues and trends relevant to the entire public policy spectrum (social, technological, economic, environmental, political). Drawing on this broad base, HSC works with Government Departments and high-level cross Departmental bodies on issues of strategic importance. These projects vary in duration from a single event, such as a workshop, to many months. Its aim in such work is to feed into cross-government priority setting and strategy formation.

The Sigma Scan (a 'Scan of Scans') is a synthesis of the best futures work globally. It contains issues and trends with relevance to the public policy agenda. It is drawn from a wide range of sources, including think tanks, academic publications, mainstream media, corporate foresight, expert/strategic thinkers, government sources, alternative journals, charities/NGOs, blogs, minority communities and futurists.

The Delta Scan is an overview of future science and technology issues and trends, with contributions by science and technology experts from the worlds of government, business, academia and communication. It involved over 200 leading scientists and science stakeholders, through workshops in the UK and US, interviews and on-line contributions.

Outsights is a leading global strategic consultancy that helps organisations and governments to think about the future and facilitate positive engagement amongst stakeholders. Based in London, Outsights has particular expertise in using scenarios, horizon scanning and working with senior decision makers in most sectors and geographies. Over the past decade Outsights scenarios have included the Future of the World's Poorest to 2030 for the UK Government's Department for International Development, The Future of Japan and a major project on the Future of Obesities.

Related links to this article:
Department of Trade and Industry
www.sigmascan.org
www.deltascan.org
www.sciencehorizons.org.uk

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Finalists in the e-Government National Awards 2006
The Local Authority National Survey is now underway, asking all UK councillors and senior staff at the 467 UK Local Authorities their views and plans for 2007-8. The results identify Local Authority plans for investment in shared services to deliver the vision in the Local Government White Paper. Tickets are still available for the 17th Jan e-Government National Conference where the results will be announced.

89 finalists in 11 categories in the e-Government National Awards 2006 have been announced. The Awards recognise and praise the best strategies, achievements, teams and individuals in UK e-Government. Judging takes place shortly and finalists will be announced the first week of November. The Awards will be presented at a prestigious dinner at the Savoy in London on 17th January 2007. For details of booking seats at the dinner and conference please see this link.

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