Foresight activities for enhancing European (global) observing systems for new technology and sustainability

Description

This initiative taps into the collective wisdom and expertise of multiple stakeholders to pave the way for the future of observing systems. By undertaking foresight activities, particularly interactive workshops, it amalgamates the perspectives of technologists, sustainability experts, and other relevant stakeholders. This collaborative approach is pivotal in identifying potential advancements in technology and ensuring the long-term sustainability of observing systems. The output of these foresight activities is encapsulated in a comprehensive report, which serves as a roadmap for current and future endeavours.

Impact During the Project

Foresight Workshops and their Influence:
The incorporation of foresight activities, particularly workshops, has been instrumental in bringing together stakeholders, technologists, and sustainability experts. These collective brainstorming sessions have not only charted the path for the future of observing systems but have also resulted in actionable recommendations.
Specific Measures include:
Downloads of the Report: A primary quantitative measure is the number of times the report, stemming from the foresight activities, has been downloaded. This serves as an indicator of the interest and relevance of the content to the community.
Report References: The frequency with which the report and its recommendations are cited in other works, studies, or discussions, indicates its influence and the recognition of its importance within the domain.
Workshop Attendance: The number of participants and the diversity of attendees at these workshops reflect the interest and commitment of the community to these foresight initiatives. High attendance is an indicator of the perceived value and potential impact of these sessions.

Impact Post Project

Visibility and Action on Recommendations: The referencing of the report or other visible actions based on its recommendations is a clear metric of the long-term impact and the practical application of the foresight insights.
Oral Feedback: Feedback from stakeholders, gathered post-project, offers a comprehensive view of how the foresight-driven recommendations have been implemented, the challenges faced, and the successes achieved.
Adoption in Future Projects: The degree to which the foresight recommendations are acknowledged or incorporated into upcoming European or national projects indicates the legacy and influence of these initiatives.

Advancement over and above State of the Art

The traditional approach to technological and sustainability advancements in observing systems has been reactive, adapting to shifts as they occur. The foresight activities present a transformative departure from this model.
Anticipatory Strategy: Rather than simply reacting, the observing systems now have a roadmap, crafted from the insights of the foresight workshops. This proactive strategy ensures they are primed to leverage upcoming technological advancements and address sustainability challenges head-on.
Stakeholder Engagement: The workshops and the resultant reports have fostered a sense of community, with stakeholders from varied backgrounds coming together for a common purpose. This inclusive approach has widened the scope of inputs, leading to more comprehensive and holistic recommendations.
Benchmarking Through Actionable Insights: By tracking metrics like report downloads, references, and feedback, a clear benchmark is established. The continuous referencing and adoption of these recommendations set a new gold standard for how observing systems evolve and adapt.

In summation, the foresight activities have redefined the paradigm for the evolution of observing systems. By transitioning from a reactive to a proactive strategy, powered by collective intelligence, the state of the art forobserving systems has been substantially elevated.

Links and References

Link to D3.2 – Observing Networks Assessment: https://eurosea.eu/download/eurosea_d3-2_initial_assessment_v9_revised_resubmitted/?wpdmdl=5522&refresh=650197c56d6c31694603205