Could advances in brain science create a more enhanced workplace or be the next big area of discrimination? The field is developing quickly and could significantly change the way we live and work. It is what The Brain Science Project will be exploring in 2010 through research, interviews and events. 

The Project kicked off with research on some key issues and the first event is in April if you would like to register your interest. We'll also be sending out regular e-updates on the project or you can keep up with the latest news on Twitter and the Brain Science Forum. To opt out of these, please click here.

It's been a hectic year for futures thinking - we've covered everything from the future of agriculture to the future of pharmaceuticals and of course, the future economy. Our 2009 review is now online with insights to our content and thoughts about the future.

We are pleased to introduce our latest publication: Africa's future, by Outsights Associate and Director of the Royal African Society Richard Dowden, fresh on the heels of his widely acclaimed bestseller "Africa" (2009).

Richard explores the big drivers of change for Africa: climate, demographics, China, connectivity and power - recurrent themes that have appeared in Outsights own work in Africa over the past decade, in the Future of Beer Markets, the Futures of Print and Digital Media - and particularly in the Scenarios for the Poorest to 2030 which still holds relevance and valuable insights today.

The recent Outsights' Next Revolution event focussed on "The Decentralisation of Production" - a revolution which blurs the line between consumers and producers. Peter Cochrane - technologist & futurist - explored how developments in bio- and nano-tech and materials technology is making the decentralisation of production increasingly possible and the potential implications for this. For the full report see here and for Peter's presentation see here.

The latest Outsights' Next Revolution event, focussed on ‘a new sense of identity,' a revolution based around cognitive and physical enhancement. Insights into this thought provoking area were provided by Professor Kevin Warwick: ‘the world's first cyborg'. Kevin discussed his series of pioneering experiments involving the neuro-surgical implantation of a device into the nerves in his arm and the possibilities for this on ‘curing' diseases and on society more generally. For more information see the full report here.

We're looking for recent graduates from any discipline and a healthy curiosity about the Future to join our team. Interns at Outsights do research and analysis for client projects, take part in our Young Leaders programme, help to organise events and work directly with the senior consulting team. For more information, please see our Internship Opportunities advert.

Geography may not be ending after all - Richard O'Brien and Alasdair Keith take a fresh look at the original premise of Richard's best-selling book ‘The End of Geography' (1992), in this month's Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. Looking at recent events in global finance through the lenses of deregulation and the development of ICTs, it seems as though the march to the "end" has slowed.

What might the "9/11" moments of the future be, after this recession? At the recent Cabinet Office Lunchtime Series, Outsights Partner Richard O'Brien identified the Anti-Poverty, Anti-Globalisation and Green movements as being possible catalysts for future change in his speech, Constraints, Drivers and Catalysts for the 21st Century. Future speeches are proving popular in helping diverse organisations - from the European Association of Communication Directors to private sector companies - look past the recession to what's coming next. Please do contact us to have futures thinking at your conference or meeting.