Having an understanding of the development of your own Futures Consciousness is an important step in bridging the gap in our understanding of the relationship between oneself and the wider world, and the complex interlinkage between the past, present and future. It is a capacity that can be developed with sustained practice and reflection, which can lead to more thoughtful decision making, an improved understanding of how futures can be influenced, and an appreciation of the wider influence our dispositions have on our behaviour as well as the consequences our behaviours can have. To find out more about the Five Dimensions of Futures Consciousness, read here and to read more about the research behind the concept see here.

The Futures Consciousness Profile Database is a research tool for practitioners, students and researchers affiliated with accredited institutions. The participants who’s results are added to the database are from selected or randomized samples. To avoid disrupting ongoing research and the introduction of self selection bias, the test is not currently open to general visitors of this site.

Futures Studies includes research in the areas of strategic foresight, anticipation and long range planning, to name a few. It includes a transdisciplinary approach, an appreciation of complexity and the rigorous analysis of beliefs about the future as the subject of research. In addition, the futures consciousness test is based on research in personality and social psychology. You can read more about the scientific background in here.

Corporate entities are eligible to apply for use of the tool as an internal research tool, or as a part of their practice. For details see terms and conditions and the pricing section.

As a registered user, you will gain access to the researcher workspace, where you will be able to create and manage test groups, customize survey questions, and carry out surveys to your selected group of respondents.

• Your respondents will receive their personal profile results in a graphic form like this. In addition, they receive a small info sheet on the meaning of the five dimensions and what kind of exercises they can do to improve their future consciousness.
• The customization of survey allows for up to 200 additional questions to be added in a variety of formats typical in survey research. The custom questions can be saved and edited easily as a set.
• As a test coordinator, you will get access to a summary report of the results from your test group that looks like this. The report includes the average results and distributions of the groups responses on the five dimensions of the Futures Consciousness. The results from your test group can also be obtained for research purposes in a CSV format from the site administrators.

Currently the test is available in the following languages:

• For adults:
  • English
  • Finnish
  • French
  • German
• For teenagers
  • Dutch
  • English
  • Italian
  • Turkish

It should be noted, however, that even if the test is translated to another language, some of the functions of the database are only available in English (e.g. the entry page to the test, the result page, etc.). In some cases, the test coordinator may have to guide users in the process of taking the test.

If you are interested in translating the scale into a new language, you are very welcome to do so! However, that may not be as easy you may think. An official translation of a psychometric scale needs to be done in the following way:

1. Translation from original language (= some of the other currently available languages) to a new language by a native speaker of that language
2. Reverse translation back from the new language to the original language by (preferably) a native speaker of the original language or professional translator. This person should not have seen the test before.
3. Comparison between the two translations and discussion among translators to resolve discrepancies and questions in between the original and reverse translated version. The research team members from the Futures Consciousness database can also be consulted to ensure the translations respect the original meanings.
4. Validating the new translation with a test audience (ca. 300 respondents) and statistical analysis of the results

New, validated translations can be added to this database. The process of technically adding a new translation to the database does not take long. It should be noted, however, that even if the test can be translated into a new language, some of the functions of the database will always be only available in English (e.g. the entry page to the test, the result page, etc.).

Together with a translation of the Futures Consiousness test into a new language, we also would like to include a translation of the info sheet describing the five dimensions that test users receive together with their results at the end of the test.

Activities for practicing each of the Five Dimensions of Futures Consciousness are provided along with an individual’s test results.

Please contact fcprofile@utu.fi. Please allow 1-7 working days for a response.

In brief, data collected through the survey tool will only be used in aggregate for research purposes, it will not be sold to third parties and cannot be used to identify individual respondents. For more information see the Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

When you are asked to complete the FC survey, you will be asked to input a group key. You will only need to do this one time. The key will be provided by your test coordinator alongside the URL of the test site.

After you have completed the survey, you will have the option to print / download your results.

It should be noted that in self reported testing, all test results are specific to each individual test taker only and can only be compared to others in aggregate. A higher score for one person may not necessarily mean that they have a higher futures consciousness when directly compared to another person with a lower score. It is generally more useful for an individual to use the results as a way of reflecting critically on one’s own way of thinking and behaving. With this in mind, a score of four or more is generally exhibited by advanced users of futures thinking, either in their profession or as a major aspect of their day-to-day thinking. A score of around two would be sign that that dimension of futures consciousness would benefit from practice and exercise.

When you receive your test results, an example exercise is included for the development of each dimension. Taking time to explore that exercise in detail and reflect on the process is advisable. There are also numerous books available that delve deeper into the significance of each of the dimensions, ask your local librarian to help you find out more. Alternatively, your test coordinator may be more than willing to suggest readings, courses or activities with which you may engage.

Please send an email to fcprofile@utu.fi to contact a site administrator who will review your report within 1-7 working days.

To register as a user, you will need to submit evidence of affiliation with an organisation or institution engaged in research, education or practice. An individual will need to provide contact details and assume responsibility for the ethical conduct of the use of the survey tool and data. Use of the tool must be in accordance with strict ethical principles as well as respect for individual participants data protection rights. Please see the Terms and Conditions for details of the terms of use.

As a registered user, you will gain access to the researcher workspace, where you will be able to create and manage test groups, customize survey questions, and carry out surveys to your selected group of respondents.

Please consult the User Guide section on passwords

Please consult the User Guide section on pre-post testing

It is possible for individuals to follow along by viewing the demo version of the survey available here. You may also share with the students the Futures Consciousness Profile report you receive at the end of your test. That report does not have any of your personal results in it.

Please contact the site administrators using the contact form to enact your right to be forgotten as per your personal data protection rights. Do note that if your personal data is deleted from our user registry, we will not be able to contact you or credit you later if the data you collected is used for publications.

A range of standard research survey questions formats are available including multiple choice, rating scale, likert scale, dropdown and open questions. Questions that break the researcher code of ethical conduct or could be used to identify an individual are not permitted and may be removed by the administrators. Data gathered from custom questions is not included in the database for comparison purposes.

The CSV files will be given only for research use. For research purposes, these files can be requested for from the Database administrators.

The Futures Consciousness Profile Database site charges a scaling database administration fee to ensure that the data is of excellent quality, to ensure that the database is maintained across its intended long term lifecycle (20+ years), and to provide funding for future updates that would enable enhanced functionality. Read more about pricing.

It is possible to test a group with no group identification, please contact us at fcprofile@utu.fi for the group key. In such cases the test coordinator will not be able to receive the group data for themselves, nor will any average results of the group be calculated. The respondents only receive the results for themselves.