Future information supports university navigation
How will we take our place as the University of Turku in the future, regardless of the circumstances? This question rose to the forefront of discussions during a foresight workshop at the University of Turku last spring. The workshop was part of the University’s strategy work and the participants of the workshop represented the University’s community extensively.
The internal and external circumstances of the University are changing at a rapid pace. The threat scenarios for the future are endless, the threats are complex and even unpredictable. The changing conditions also provide many opportunities and positive aspects to utilise.
Foresight work offers challenges and development opportunities
Research linking the future of universities and changes in their circumstances is not very common. The special characteristics of universities as organisations make research in this area both challenging and interesting.
Firstly, universities as organisations provide the highest level of academic research and research-based teaching. Universities produce new research-based knowledge and train skilled professionals for a wide range of tasks in different sectors of society.
Secondly, universities are built on relatively autonomous disciplines. The disciplines and subjects define their own knowledge interests, research themes and focus areas. This structure is unique compared to other organisations.
A third distinctive feature relates to the autonomy of science and classical academic culture. University research should be free to go wherever new discoveries and basic research take it.
These features make universities multi-faceted, multi-voiced and complex organisations, whose future forecasting is quite a demanding and even daring task. It is still vital for universities that changes in their circumstances and operating environment are systematically visualised, understood and anticipated.
For this reason, the University of Turku has launched a new project that maps the national and global forces of change affecting the University’s operations. The Strategic Planning Unit of the University of Turku is in charge of the project together with the Finland Futures Research Centre. The project is the first of its kind at the University of Turku. It is also unique in that it is implemented entirely with in-house expertise.
Adaptability and agility in a changing operating environment
The project builds future information that focuses on the University as a whole. First, the focus is on the past; on historical evidence based on studies, or developments that have already taken place. In this way, the current situation and position of the University of Turku can be mapped both in the field of universities and in society at large.
After this, systematic future-oriented assessment, speculation, and even imagination are needed; what kind of developments can be expected on the basis of historical knowledge. This review is coupled with reviews on megatrends, alternative scenarios developed by other organisations, reflections on emerging phenomena, i.e. weak signals, and the views of individuals who analyse changes in the world.
The future information gathered and summarised in this way creates the prerequisites for finding functional solutions and improves the adaptability and agility of the University of Turku during changes in its operating environment. The vitality of the entire University organisation is strengthened. At the same time, we find answers to the initial question: how do we take our place in the future, regardless of the circumstances.
The foresight workshop in the spring ended up emphasising trust in the transformative power of the University, the joy and courage of academic work as a carrying force, and our desire to continue to be a respected actor both in Finland and globally. When information of the future is integrated into the everyday life and decision-making of the University, we navigate the University of Turku towards these valuable goals.
