Action research and integral futures studies: A path to embodied foresight

Action research principles and practices have a long history of application in the futures field, and in recent years have seen a resurgence of interest. With the emergence of integral foresight and futures studies, action research takes on increased significance as a pathway to development of expertise in this new domain. This article outlines the essential characteristics of action research, and looks at how action research has influenced futures studies to date. It then explores in more depth the specific congruence between action research practices and the principles of integral foresight and futures studies. An approach to understanding expertise in futures and foresight practice consistent with the integral perspective is explored. This draws on the enactive approach to cognition and leads to a model of expertise described as embodied foresight. Action research is proposed as an important contributor to the development of embodied foresight.

► Action research has historically played important roles in the futures field.
► Action research and integral futures share a particular congruence at the level of worldview.
► Integral futures practice entails new ways of being as practitioners, not just use of new models.
► Embodied foresight is proposed as an approach to practice consistent with an integral ethos.
► Action research practices and principles offer a pathway towards enacting embodied foresight.