Democratising Futures (Thinking): Why It Matters — and How to Do It

Futures thinking is often treated as a specialist capability — held by experts, consultants, or senior leaders. But in a world shaped by accelerating change, complexity, and uncertainty, the future affects everyone — and should be shaped by many.

This webinar explores why futures thinking must be democratised, and what it actually takes to make it usable, participatory, and decision-relevant across organisations and communities.

We’ll unpack the risks of futures work that stays locked in strategy decks or leadership off-sites, and contrast this with approaches that meaningfully engage staff, communities, and stakeholders in imagining, questioning, and shaping possible futures. Drawing on real-world practice, we’ll share practical tools, mindsets, and methods for embedding futures thinking into everyday decision-making — without needing to be a “futures expert”.

Whether you work in government, community, design, strategy, or social impact, this session is for anyone curious about:

Why participation and power matter in futures work
How to move futures from abstract speculation to practical action
Ways to build shared foresight, agency, and long-term thinking at all levels

Expect a clear, accessible introduction, grounded examples, and space for reflection and dialogue — designed to help you bring futures thinking into the hands of many, not the few.

About the speaker: Mathias Behn Bjørnhof, Futurist & Founder

Leading global foresight strategist who empowers organisations and individuals to navigate uncertain futures, successfully guiding Fortune 500, international institutions, and SMEs to become futures ready.

Expert in analysing trends and uncertainty, identifying emerging opportunities, crafting futures scenarios and guiding businesses towards transformative strategies
Main expertise across tech & innovation, culture & consumers, energy & sustainability, and democracy & governance domains.
Experienced teacher within strategic foresight, scenario planning and futures-driven innovation, helping leaders and strategists learn how to anticipate disruptive shifts
Prior to founding ANTICIPATE, Mathias spent 5 years consulting at the world-renowned futures think tank Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies. Also, associated consultant with Earthshine Group (transformative sustainability consultancy)
Academic background within Organisational Innovation & Entrepreneurship with focus on sustainability and strategy + Business, Languages (Spanish & English) and Cultural Studies from Copenhagen Business School.

Contact the host of Democratising Futures (Thinking) w/ Mathias Behn Bjørnhof