New International Micro-Credential in Futures Studies Equips Learners to Navigate an Uncertain World

Vilnius University, in collaboration with the University of Granada, the Fondazione Italiana per gli Studi di Futuro ETS and the Fibresonline platform, the Fibresonline platform, is launching a micro-credential, Introduction to Futures Studies, designed to help learners develop the skills, mindset and tools needed to anticipate and shape the future. Registration is open until 30 September.

Delivered in English between 5 October–30 November 2026, the 5 ECTS programme responds to the growing global demand for futures literacy and strategic foresight capabilities across government, business and civil society. The programme is coordinated by Assoc. Prof. Erika Vaiginienė, with contributions from Assoc. Prof. Alberto Bueno and Prof. Roberto Poli, one of Europe's leading scholars in futures studies.

“The ability to think systematically about the future is no longer a niche skill. It is becoming an essential capability for leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs and citizens alike. This micro-credential aims to develop learners' capacity to anticipate change, explore alternative futures and contribute more effectively to shaping desirable outcomes,” said Assoc. Prof. E. Vaiginienė, programme coordinator. 

As rapid technological, social, economic and environmental changes reshape societies, organisations are increasingly seeking professionals who can understand emerging trends, anticipate alternative futures and make informed decisions under uncertainty. The programme addresses a significant educational gap by providing structured training in futures studies, a field that has become central to international initiatives such as anticipatory governance, strategic foresight and Futures Literacy. 

The interdisciplinary programme combines theoretical foundations with practical application. Participants will explore key concepts such as forecasting, foresight and anticipation, while learning how to identify trends, megatrends, weak signals and emerging disruptions. They will engage in future-oriented methods, futures studies exercises, participatory discussions, and speculative games designed to stimulate creative and critical thinking. 

Course topics include: Foundations and history of futures studies; Strategic foresight in the public, corporate and personal domains; Futures studies methods and scenarios development; Trends, megatrends, countertrends, weak signals and wild cards; Futures literacy and anticipatory thinking; Collaborative development of future scenarios and strategic responses. 

Through individual and team-based projects, learners will analyse complex challenges, explore alternative futures and develop actionable recommendations. The programme culminates in a final interdisciplinary project presented to a panel of academics and practitioners. 

The micro-credential is open to learners with English language proficiency at B1 level or above and will be offered in online or blended formats. Enrolment capacity ranges from 15 to 100 participants, ensuring both accessibility and active engagement. 

By bringing together expertise from Lithuania, Spain, Italy and Finland, the programme reflects a growing European commitment to building foresight capabilities and strengthening resilience in the face of global uncertainty. Participants will gain practical skills that can be applied across sectors, from public policy and business strategy to innovation, sustainability and community development.

About the lecturers 

Dr Alberto Bueno is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Granada (Spain), a member of the Spanish Research Group on Defence, Armed Forces, and Society (RODAS) and the Spanish Foresight Association. His research and teaching focus on security and defence policy, strategic analysis, and strategic foresight. He has contributed to several foresight-oriented projects and studies, including Panorama of Geopolitical Trends, Horizon 2040 (Spanish Ministry of Defence), Future Operating Environment, and the Hybrid Warfare Operational Concept (Spanish Army), while also teaching foresight and intelligence analysis at the postgraduate level and delivering seminars for public and private-sector organisations. Drawing on extensive experience with methods such as horizon scanning, trend and driver analysis, Delphi studies, backcasting, and scenario development, he combines academic research with practical foresight applications to help organisations and decision-makers navigate uncertainty, anticipate emerging challenges, and develop more robust strategies for the future. 

Dr Erika Vaiginienė is an associate professor at Vilnius University Faculty of Economics and Business Administration. She is a Foresight Strategist & Researcher, Change Management and Strategic Management professional, and Policy Maker with 25+ years of experience working in synergy with the academic and business worlds. Her purpose is to drive innovation and shape the future by leveraging research, analytics, and strategic foresight to positively impact business, society, and individuals. I embody this purpose through honesty, fairness, responsibility, and strong commitment. 

Erika’s passion for research led her to a PhD and deep expertise in both quantitative and qualitative methods, which she applies to high-impact consulting in innovation, entrepreneurship, and policy-making (e.g., strategic foresight: DESY (Germany), strategic projects at Vilnius University, identification of scientific priorities for VMU Agro-Innovation Park, etc.). Recognising the rising importance of foresight, she immersed herself in foresight methodologies at leading global institutions, later contributing as a methodologist to Lithuania 2050 and founding the Millennium Project’s Lithuania node. 

Erika holds multiple international memberships and certifications, including EFMD-certified Research Manager, FIBAA accreditation expert, and Adizes Change Management Integrator. She is a member of the Academy of Management, European Foresight Network, and the Association of Professional Futurists.

Dr Roberto Poli was a Professor of Philosophy of Science at the University of Trento (Italy). Poli leads the UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Systems; he teaches Social Foresight and Epistemology of the Social Sciences and directs the Master's in Social Foresight. Poli is a fellow of the STIAS – Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study. He is the President of AFI-Association of Italian Futurists, and Skopìa, a company offering professional anticipation services. Poli belongs to the editorial committees of many journals (including Futures and European Journal of Future Research). Poli has published 7 volumes; the last being Working with the future, Milan, Bocconi University Press, 2019. He is editor-in-chief of the Handbook of Anticipation (Springer). Poli has edited more than 20 journal volumes or special issues and published more than 250 scientific papers. He is an editor of the Handbook of Futures Studies.