Futures thinking as collaborative practice in anthropology

Abstract

Futures-thinking methods offer transformative potential for anthropological research yet need to be more utilized in our field. Collaborative Futures Scenario Thinking (CFST) combined with the Qualitative Delphi (QD) method provides an accessible and dynamic approach to understanding how communities imagine and shape their futures. Anthropologists have long been sceptical of these methods because corporations have co-opted them. Yet their fundamental purpose fits naturally with anthropology's efforts to decolonize the field. By breaking down the barriers between researchers and participants, these approaches create opportunities for more diverse voices in knowledge creation. Through two ethnographic examples – a housing project in Indonesia and a healthcare study – this article demonstrates how these methods create spaces for marginalized voices and collective action. However, successful implementation requires careful attention to power dynamics and sustained commitment to participatory principles. This methodological innovation suggests promising pathways for anthropology's engagement with future-making practices.