Stefan Bergheim, On the Evaluation of Futures Literacy Labs

Futures Literacy Laboratories (FLLs) are a relatively new method for dealing with the future in complex adaptive systems. So far, little research has been done on the evaluation of the method’s merits. This paper combines insights from evaluation research with results from ten interviews with experienced designers and facilitators of such laboratories. It shows that the acquisition of competences, the association among participants, the awareness of novelty, and the application of insights are recurring intentions of laboratories. Second, it deducts a set of feasible evaluation practices for such laboratories. And third, it highlights similarities between the design
principles of Futures Literacy Laboratories and the principles of evaluation in complex adaptive systems.