Abstract
Highlights
•The article summarises the work of Futures Literacy (FL) through Narrative (FLiNT), three academics from literary studies who work in futures.
•The first section introduces the importance of narratology to FL, particularly the “Principle of Minimal Departure”.
•The second section discusses creative projects, using performative narrative creation to develop reflexive awareness of participants.
•The third section considers the relevance of sf and speculative futures to FL, addressing concerns about its relevance and usefulness.
•The conclusion asserts that an understanding of narrative benefits higher-order FL capabilities.
Abstract
This paper explores the particular role of narrative in developing futures literacy. As literacy denotes the ability to express and absorb meaning through language, enabling individuals to parse information and relate to others, then futures literacy also needs to draw on the insights of narrative to embrace its full emancipatory potential. We set out the importance of narrative in (1) framing, (2) shaping, and (3) critiquing the world-building techniques that form the foundation of futures thinking and futures literacy. These insights into the “storiness” of futurity, we argue, enhance critical reflexivity and illuminate our wider understanding of the dynamics that drive assumptions about the future(s). This paper offers three examples of how working with narrative tools can enhance futures literacy. First, we show how narrative theory can help us understand the limitations of the human imagination when it comes to futures thinking. Second, we offer an overview of how collaborative, character-led storytelling can activate an agentic relationship with uncertain and complex futures. Finally, we explore how speculative fiction reveals the importance of context in futures thinking. Overall, we demonstrate how proficiency in narrative theory and literary studies can shed more light on the cultural and ontological perspectives and specificities to be considered in how we anticipate and engage in futures thinking.
•The article summarises the work of Futures Literacy (FL) through Narrative (FLiNT), three academics from literary studies who work in futures.
•The first section introduces the importance of narratology to FL, particularly the “Principle of Minimal Departure”.
•The second section discusses creative projects, using performative narrative creation to develop reflexive awareness of participants.
•The third section considers the relevance of sf and speculative futures to FL, addressing concerns about its relevance and usefulness.
•The conclusion asserts that an understanding of narrative benefits higher-order FL capabilities.
Abstract
This paper explores the particular role of narrative in developing futures literacy. As literacy denotes the ability to express and absorb meaning through language, enabling individuals to parse information and relate to others, then futures literacy also needs to draw on the insights of narrative to embrace its full emancipatory potential. We set out the importance of narrative in (1) framing, (2) shaping, and (3) critiquing the world-building techniques that form the foundation of futures thinking and futures literacy. These insights into the “storiness” of futurity, we argue, enhance critical reflexivity and illuminate our wider understanding of the dynamics that drive assumptions about the future(s). This paper offers three examples of how working with narrative tools can enhance futures literacy. First, we show how narrative theory can help us understand the limitations of the human imagination when it comes to futures thinking. Second, we offer an overview of how collaborative, character-led storytelling can activate an agentic relationship with uncertain and complex futures. Finally, we explore how speculative fiction reveals the importance of context in futures thinking. Overall, we demonstrate how proficiency in narrative theory and literary studies can shed more light on the cultural and ontological perspectives and specificities to be considered in how we anticipate and engage in futures thinking.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 102663 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Futures |
| Volume | 125 |
| Early online date | 7 Dec 2020 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2021 |