Anticipatory Social Work: Foresight Tools and Approaches for Social Imagining and Collective Praxis – Oxford University Press – OUT NOW!

It’s with great joy (and relief!!!) that I let you know my forthcoming book called “Anticipatory Social Work: Foresight Approaches and Tools for Social Imagining and Collective Praxis” is being released in the coming weeks (out in e-version now).    Special thanks to the fine folks at Oxford University Press for their faith in me regarding this work. 

What does the future hold and what does it need from us?    First of all – the future is plural…there is no “one” future out there waiting for us.  Many alternatives co-exist.  What is needed is a bigger capacity to imagine beyond the limited menu of futures we are too frequently given, strategize imaginatively accordingly and work together to bring the best of these to life.  Social work belongs in spaces where this is happening.   There has never been a more important time to be ready for the futures we want…and prepared to resist and respond to the futures we don’t.

With a focus on futures of emerging social issues; social welfare and care systems; social movements and resistance; the futures of equity work;  and the futures of professions themselves this book also includes a rich and diverse compendium of foresight tools specifically offered with the social work profession in mind. 

What is Anticipatory Social Work? 

Anticipatory social work (ASW) is an emerging practice approach that combines values, tools, and skills grounded in transformational foresight to help people shape their present lives and create better futures in a complex, rapidly changing world. It respects diverse cultural perspectives while utilizing critical and participatory practices committed to power analysis and community engagement. ASW employs creative scenario planning to address emerging challenges from a human rights perspective, prioritizing the amplification of marginalized voices and the construction of new social healing imaginaries. The approach balances curiosity about the future with humble agency to make better collective decisions, working across individual, group, and institutional levels while embracing strengths-based perspectives that recognize the evolving capacities of individuals and communities to create life-affirming shared futures.

Oxford has been kind enough to celebrate the publication of this work with a discount coupon – so please use it!  Link here.

Here’s some of the things people are saying about this work. 

Please stay connected to me at this blog for additional events and ways to join in co-futuring in the months and years to come.  See you there!!!