Evaluating a participative foresight process: ‘Futur - the German research dialogue’

The paper describes the design and implementation of an evaluation of a participative foresight process, Futur — the German Research Dialogue. Futur aims to enrich the process of strategy development for research priorities by involving a broad array of actors in a combination of different instruments to develop ‘lead visions’. The process of a strategic intelligence exercise that combined elements of ex ante evaluation, technology assessment and foresight is summarised, along with key findings from the evaluation. The modified peer review approach employed to evaluate Futur was structured along lines of accountability to support a continuation decision and also had a learning orientation. This evaluation approach is contrasted with the ambitions of the process being evaluated, notably the emphasis upon stakeholder participation and transparency.