The National Foresight Group

The National Foresight Group was designed and developed with NTU to provide cross-government and agency foresight support during disasters and emergencies in the UK. Set up with a remit to help save lives, relieve harm and support communities it brings together key partners and academic expertise, knowledge and networks to make a difference. Building on a range of knowledge brokerage and facilitation techniques the group works with and for partners to understand, explore and develop action that can help to make a difference.

The groups first activated at the very beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK to support all stakeholders to tackle the impacts of the pandemic on national, local and emergency response provision. As a cross-government and multi-agency group we provided by a horizon scanning and cross-sectional perspective for partners during daily meetings through our 10-month activation. Over 60 reports and briefings were produced including the only live reviews of strategic Category 1 and 2 responders during the pandemic.

Following the stabilisation phase after the pandemic the team reviewed and prepared for a future activation and the NTU team undertook foresight work on cities. Following work on adverse weather for the National Police Chief Council the group was asked to explore re-activating in the spring of 2023. This led to a 2023 activation to support joint working on climate adaptation and security. Building on and adapting the previous model we launched in July 2023 and the group has been meeting monthly since then supporting partners to consider adaptation and security needs that climate change is creating. Full details of the remit and public outputs produced so far can be found using the link below.

This group activates as a cross-Government Department and multi-agency group to explore key topics for foresight work. If you would like to know more about the model or about future work please contact Professor Rowena Hill in the first instance.