OPSA-JRC Knowledge Exchange on Technology Foresight

The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India (Office of PSA), jointly with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (EC-JRC) hosted a knowledge exchange on Technology Foresight today (18 June 2024), in online mode. A total of 46 domain experts with varying expertise joined the knowledge exchange. The session was aimed at bringing together experts, scholars, and practitioners from the technology foresight communities of India and EC-JRC for cross-learning and knowledge-building. This first of its series session focused on methodological approaches used in foresight exercises.

(Scientific Secretary Dr. Parvinder Maini (left) and Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to India H.E. Mr. Herve Delphin (right) delivering inaugural remarks)

Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary, Office of PSA, in her inaugural address, highlighted the critical role played by the Office in providing science advice. Dr. Maini also remarked on the importance of the transdisciplinary nature of Technology Foresight in policy exercises. She spoke about the efforts taken at the Office to strengthen the domestic in-house capabilities in foresight activities, including the formation of a taskforce on technology foresight. H.E. Mr. Herve Delphin, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to India, in his inaugural address, talked about how the knowledge exchange on technology foresight activities between India and the EU will also contribute to elevating the existing bilateral engagement to new heights with impactful joint initiatives.

(Presentation by European Commission – Joint Research Centre)

In the first segment of presentations, Dr. Thomas Hemmelgarn, Head of Unit – EU Policy Lab: Foresight, Design & Behavioural Insights at JRC, highlighted the work on Foresight undertaken at Policy Lab and EU institutions as a whole. Dr. Hemmelgarn presented various foresight activities undertaken at the EU Policy Lab. Dr. Anne-Katrin Bock, Team Leader & Senior Expert of EU Policy Lab presented various processes followed in bringing out relevant foresight documents and roadmaps. Dr. Antonia Mochan, Policy Analyst of EU Policy Lab, presented a detailed methodological approach, tools, and techniques used in technology forecasting exercises.

(Presentation and interventions by Indian experts)

Prof. Krishna Kumar Balaraman, Head of the Centre for Technology Foresight and Policy, IIT Jodhpur presented an Indian perspective on foresight exercise along with a few contemporary examples of how foresight is used in technology sectors such as telecommunication and FinTech. Subsequently, during the expert interventions, Prof. Gagandeep Kang, Director, Global Health, Gates Foundation drew attention to the importance of foresight in the Health sector; Prof. Urbasi Sinha, Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, emphasised the importance of foresight in advancing the Quantum frontiers; Prof. Gufran Beig, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru, shared the practices of foresight in Meteorology.

(Knowledge Exchange session underway)

The forum witnessed a dynamic discussion and exchange of ideas among the experts from both sides. The discussion concluded with summary remarks and concluding statements by Dr. Liliana Pasecinic, Deputy Head of Unit (International Partnerships and Multilateral Initiatives), Joint Research Centre, European Commission. This session was planned as the first of a series of international knowledge exchange sessions for advancing the in-house capabilities of technology foresight. The OPSA task force on technology foresight aims to synergise the foresight ecosystem in the country and to expand these knowledge activities further with key international partners.