Strategic dialogues for the further development of future fields

Strategic dialogues provide an opportunity to look at the new future fields of the BMBF Foresight Process under different perspectives. This is necessary on the one hand, for the further development of content, and on the other hand in order to be able to include important aspects in the integration and translation of results into funding-policy measures at an early stage.

Aim of the strategic dialogues

The strategic dialogues aim at supporting the BMBF in anticipating and integrating results of the foresight process in funding policy measures.
The following aspects, among others, were being tackled in selected new cutting-edge fields:

• evaluation of the foresight results, identification of possible conclusions 
• determination of the framework conditions for promoting the new cutting-edge fields 
• identification of (economic, technological, social) obstacles to implementation 
• definition of the impact on young scientists 
• assessment of the relevance for initial and continuing training 
• identification of ethical and legal aspects 
• assessment of consequences for and needs of society - both for general / specific groups

Relevant players from science, industry, politics and society were involved in the process.

Methods

The results of the online forum are a first input for the strategic dialogues. At the beginning, a detailed analysis of players will be made for the topic at hand. On this basis, a core team is appointed, which can be enlarged by a larger group of experts if necessary. All strategic dialogues take into account the priorities in a specific combination of workshops, conferences and/or online forums. The format is determined by the specific demand to develop further the respective cutting-edge fields. Additional online measures can support the setting-up and work of the specific communities in the new futurefields.

Bringing together different perspectives of players

Conclusions

At the end of the strategic dialogues, the BMBF will have the most specific recommendations possible for a successful transfer of results of the BMBF Foresight Process into funding policy. Further results are the establishment of a community and the development of strategic partnerships consisting of players in science and industry, which can lead to different project activities.