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SHORT COURSE

Futures Thinking in Practice

Enrol now
$ 698.00

START DATE

 05 March

MODE

 On Campus (Sydney)

DURATION

 8 hrs

COMMITMENT

 8 hrs
Enrol now

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Meet the Experts

Stephen Rutter

Stephen Rutter
Founder - The Scale Institute and Head of Community, Neutopia

Stephen is a proud descendant of the Trawlwulwuy people from Tebrakunna country in Trowunna, Tasmania. Following the completion of his MBA, he began working towards improving the education system by bringing curiosity back into the learning experience. He was seconded to Flinders University as an Executive in Residence, where he helped establish the New Venture Institute.

Most recently, Stephen served as the founding Head of Experience at the Sydney School of Entrepreneurship, a $25 million initiative by the NSW government to foster next-generation entrepreneurship and connect 12 institutions, 700,000 students, and over 200 campuses across NSW. Currently, running his innovation consultancy, The Scale Institute, Stephen and his team design innovative learning strategies and product development opportunities for a diverse group of clients across Australia, including universities, large corporations, and SMEs, all of whom value learning.

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Tish Creenaune

Tish Creenaune
Senior Manager at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance

Tish is a Senior Manager at the Institute for Public Policy and Governance and is a highly regarded and experienced public sector executive. She has over 30 years working in the education and training, innovation, communities and social policy fields as a policy planner and strategic project manager leading change projects and reform. She has worked closely with senior officers in government agencies and government ministers in leading the implementation of policy and has delivered on social, innovation, community and educational outcomes through influencing a diverse range of stakeholders.

Tish was the founding director of the Catalyst Lab Innovation Program, the first NSW lab leading the exploration, design and scaling of innovative education ideas and incubator for innovation in education, providing a structured process to trial and prototype new ideas. She is a skilled facilitator in design thinking and innovation, developing and customising innovation processes and methodologies to solve complex problems.

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Embark on a transformative journey and gain a robust understanding of futures thinking principles and their practical application in policymaking with Futures Thinking in Practice.

About this course

During this course you will dive into fascinating methodologies including scenario planning and backcasting and learn to navigate complex policy landscapes with a fresh, forward-looking perspective. Through hands-on exercises, insightful case studies and interactive discussions, you'll acquire practical tools and develop a strategic mindset essential for crafting visionary policies. 

Key benefits of this course

By the end of this course, participants should be equipped to:

  • Navigate future trends by mastering cutting-edge methodologies such as scenario planning and backcasting, transforming how to anticipate and respond to emerging policy challenges

  • Develop innovative policies by harnessing a futures-oriented mindset to craft policies that are not only responsive to today's needs, but also resilient for tomorrow's uncertainties

  • Drive organisational change through learned strategies, to cultivate a forward-thinking culture within the team or organisation, positioning them as a leader in innovative policy development.

 

Digital badge and certificate

A digital badge and certificate will be awarded following the successful completion of any necessary tasks or assessments to demonstrate acquired learning of the short course or for meeting attendance and/or participation requirements.

Learn more about UTS Open digital badges.

Course outline

The following content will be covered in this futures thinking in practice course:

Fundamentals of Futures Thinking

  • Understanding futures thinking - definitions, principles and its importance
  • Differentiating between forecasting and foresight
  • The role of futures thinking in policy development and innovation.

Tools and Methods in Futures Thinking

  • Introduction to key methodologies, including Scenario planning, Backcasting, Delphi method and Trend analysis.

Case Studies and Best Practices

  • Analysing real-world examples where futures thinking influenced policy.

Developing a Futures Mindset

  • Workshops on fostering a futures-oriented culture within organisations
  • Techniques for promoting long-term, systemic thinking.

Implementing Futures Thinking in Practice

  • Strategies for embedding futures thinking into daily policy-making processes
  • Creating a roadmap for ongoing learning and application.  

Learning outcomes

By the conclusion of this course, participants should have gained:

  • A comprehensive understanding of futures thinking
  • The ability to articulate the value of futures thinking in policymaking and explain its fundamental concepts
  • Developed skills in applying futures thinking tools to analyse policy challenges and develop innovative solutions
  • A developed, futures-oriented mindset
  • Strategies and techniques for fostering this mindset within the team(s) or organisation, promoting forward-thinking policy development.

Enrolment conditions

Course purchase is subject to UTS Open Terms and Conditions. 

COVID-19 response 

UTS complies with latest Government health advice. Delivery of all courses complies with the UTS response to COVID-19.

Contact us

For any questions on enrolment or payment, please email support@open.uts.edu.au  

If you have a specific question on course content or requirements, please email ippg.learning@uts.edu.au

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for policymakers, strategic planners, leaders and anyone who is looking to develop forward-thinking skills and innovative approaches to navigate complex challenges and shape resilient policies.

Book a session

Wed 05 Mar 2025-
Wed 05 Mar 2025
Expert: Stephen Rutter, Tish Creenaune
  • UTS City Campus (Room TBA). Click on the underlined sessions and hours total link below to reveal specific session details.
  • On Campus (Sydney)
  • 1 session, 8 hours total
$ 698.00

Enrolments close 9am Wednesday 5 March 2025 AEDT, or when all places have been filled, whichever occurs first.

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

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