Foresight and innovation with a purpose

Meet the 2022-2023 Future Fellows

Kansas Future Fellows

...imagine—and act on—leading-edge strategies today that inspire Kansas children and families to dream and thrive in the future.

Future Fellows is a unique program developed by the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research (CPPR).

Why We Need Future Fellows

Hope. If we’ve learned anything from recent events, it’s that time marches on whether we’re ready or not. The future is unlimited – a myriad of choices with influencers yet unknown and often out of our control. It’s a struggle to pick a direction, adapt quickly, and prevail as we challenge ourselves to ensure that every child can thrive.

Future Fellows succeed because we’re better together. We collaborate to achieve connections that make certain Kansas is an exceptional place to do business and raise a family.

Empowering Imagination and Innovation

Hope drives us. We hope to lead the change we want to see for the future, and more importantly, we hope to uplift and mobilize those around us to also engage in this charge.

We aspire to be a powerful catalyst for leading a reawakening and reconnection within and between communities across Kansas . . . what we call The Great Engagement.

9-Month Fellowship

Kansas Future Fellows are public and private cross-sector leaders with vision, tools, and a committed network to stretch in their approach to our collective work.

Fellows regularly gather as a cohort to develop new skills and share insights that promote community connections.

Kickoff Innovation Lab, November 14-15, 2022
Featuring Jake Dunagan, Ph.D., pioneer of design futures and Research Director for Institute for the Future
Defining and applying futures thinking; expressing a collective vision.

Presentations by:

Dr. Kim Warren, Historian, University of Kansas Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion, School of Social Welfare, Associate Professor of History, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Critical turning points in Kansas history.

Dr. Jackie Counts, Director, University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research, Doctor of Philosophy, Social Welfare
Using a futures lens to make wise – and long – choices.

Lab 2: Three Horizons Framework
Featuring Victoria Ward and Dr. Wendy Schultz, co-founders of Jigsaw Foresight
Expanding capacity via participatory visioning and coalition development.

Lab 3: Communicating Social Innovation via a Network of Hope
Featuring Victoria Ward and Dr. Wendy Schultz, co-founders of Jigsaw Foresight
Stepping stones to innovation and growth; Storytelling

2023 Futures Forum
A gathering of policymakers, private organizations, and interested pacesetters focused on solutions and entrepreneurial response to social change.