Observations and assessments of the E-lab methodology have been made in several expert workshops conducted both at the regional, national and European level over a ten years' period (2003 2013) and across a series of foresight themes; e.g. European hydrogen society, Nordic addiction policy, National knowledge policy, Images of addiction and lifestyles in Europe, and University future governance.
Overall, the specific foresight toolbox composition in the various E-lab expert workshops was selected and tailored according to the theme, combining techniques from both the expertise-interaction and the creativity-evidence dimensions [10, 23].
In addition to providing useful and focused information, the paper is to offer interesting and fresh foresight points of view to the theme in order to inspire and evoke enthusiasm on the subject matter among participants.
The E-lab seemingly offers variations on a theme, played on the score of the expert foresights.
In particular, the organizers of the end-of-Greek-Foresight project conference proposed a competition among all conference participants with the theme: in how many ways can you peel an apple?
We considered the open and axial codes to identify the prevailing common themes from across the 14 interviews that addressed the methods and outcomes of foresight practice.
The use of a holistic case study availed opportunities to (a) examine the broad context of the cases, (b) present themes with thick descriptions, and (c) document interpretations based on multiple cases of foresight activities [47].
Open image in new window Fig. 1 Outline of the 10th S&T foresight (Source: NISTEP [14]) Open image in new window Fig. 2 Scenarios as the themes for manufacturing (Source: NISTEP [14]).
Horizon scanning can be described as a practice integrated in the first phase of Foresight exploring trends, drivers, and challenges but also past experiences to identify topics and factors that might influence the theme under investigation in the future [32].
Sustainable intensification of agriculture (Foresight. The Future of Food and Farming 2011) has become one of the major policy and research themes in the UK.
