Bavarian Foresight Institute

V.l.n.r.: Prof. Alexander Schönmann, Prof. Stefanie Wrobel, Christina Moser, Prof. Jan Oliver Schwarz, Prof. Laura Bechthold, Theresa Schropp

Due to the current dynamic changes in economy, technology and society the necessity of foresight skills increases significantly. Hence, the needed qualifications are on the one hand foresight research, development of strategies, innovation, business development and change management and on the other hand skills to control these changes like corporate responsibility, technology assessment and business ethics.

Therefore, the THI plans to establish a Bavarian Foresight Institute, which will focus on technology-oriented foresight research and the associated economic and social interdependencies with the intention to create synergies with the THI's technology-oriented research institutes, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, sustainability and mobility.

Focus

The Bavarian Foresight Institute focuses on technology-oriented foresight research and the associated economic and social interdependencies with the intention to create synergies with the THI's technology-oriented research institutes, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence, sustainability and mobility.

Research is carried out in an application-orientated context. Research results are incorporated into consulting projects, published in scientific publications and made available to the Bavarian Universities of Applied Sciences via adequate exchange forums coordinated by the Bavarian Foresight Institute, as well as transferred to industry and society. The institute advances young academics by supervising doctoral theses of the mainly third-party financed academic staff. Due to a close integration with various partners, the research institute will focus on third-party financed public projects as well as industry projects.

Master's Program "Global Foresight and Technology Management"

The focus of teaching is the master's program "Global Foresight and Technology Management" for German and international students. It provides interdisciplinary skills at the interface of technology, economics and sociology with a strong foresight focus. The program is characterized by an innovative, strongly project study-oriented teaching concept.

Working and research areas

The research area Strategic Foresight and Trend Analysis is dealing with foresight in the field of new developments of technology, economy and society.
Research focuses on foresight methods, technology trend analysis, and opportunity spaces created by technologies. Teaching concentrates on Strategic Business Development, Customer-Technology-Competitor Foresight and Scenario Analyses Technology Project Management.

The Technology Design and Application research area is dedicated to future technologies and their application areas as well as technology implementation. A special focus lies on the product development process as well as on new technologies such as AI or biotechnology. Teaching covers topics such as innovation management, technology design, technology assessment and technology applications.

The research area Business Development and Transformation Management focuses on the business, economic and social significance of technology developments. Special emphasis is placed on the areas of start-up research, technology business model development and technology transformation. Accordingly, teaching concentrates on the topics of business model development, scenario analyses, start-up and technology management, change management and risk management.

This research area is dedicated to societal technology assessment, technology impact assessment, and implications for societal change. In particular, research is conducted on future capabilities and competencies, technology culture, business ethics, societal resilience, and the interplay of technological and cultural change. Teaching covers the areas of technology assessment, business ethics, and change management.

Projects

Duration: 2/22 – 5/22

Project management: Prof. Dr. Jan Oliver Schwarz

More information: Motives and Fiction

Duration: 01/23 – 12/27

Project management: Prof. Dr. Jan Oliver Schwarz

More information: https://mensch-in-bewegung.info/

Duration: 12/22 – 06/25

Project management: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Schönmann

More Information: Stadt Ingolstadt - transform.10 and https://www.ainin.de/ki-projekt-transform10/

Contact

Please e-mail us via foresight@thi.de for general inquiries - we'll get back to you as soon as possible!

Head of Institute

Prof. Dr. Jan Oliver Schwarz
Phone: +49 841 9348-3511
Room: I202
E-Mail: JanOliver.Schwarz@thi.de

Professorships

Prof. Dr. Laura Bechthold
Phone: +49 841 9348-3802
Room: I204
E-Mail: Laura.Bechthold@thi.de

Programme director and Academic advisor Global Foresight and Technology Management (Master)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Schönmann
Phone: +49 841 9348-3509
Room: I202
E-Mail: Alexander.Schoenmann@thi.de

Prof. Dr. Jan Oliver Schwarz
Phone: +49 841 9348-3511
Room: I202
E-Mail: JanOliver.Schwarz@thi.de