Previous work

Some of Robert’s & Day One Future’s previous futures-related work.

Technology Scan for disease and pest control

A scan of emerging technologies and applications was undertaken for OSPRI (Operational Solutions for Primary Industries) to identify potential new approaches for the control of bovine tuberculosis in New Zealand. The focus was on the next 10 years, with a key goal for OSPRI of eradicating the disease from a key vector the brushtail possum by 2050. The scan looked at newer tools and approaches for disease diagnostics, environmental surveillance, and control methods. The report evaluated a broad range of technologies, and considered technological readiness and applicability for New Zealand conditions. It suggested some that could be scaled-up or trialled in New Zealand in the coming decade.

Market scan to identify new research and commercial opportunities

A national and international scan was undertaken for a client to identify new or expanded opportunities for their business. The scan involved both internal and external opportunities to identify existing strengths and weaknesses, key competitors, and opportunities.

A variety of opportunties were provided to the senior management team, who refined them in discussions with their Board. Five opportunities were selected to investigate in greater detail later in the year.

Strategic Business Case for a new Circular Bioeconomy Research Centre

This project developed a business case for the establishment of a collaborative research centre to build research & development capabilities and capacities for circular bioeconomies in Aotearoa New Zealand. It considers the growing demand for circular bioeconomies, some of the existing capabilities and R&D gaps in Aotearoa, challenges facing collaborative research centres, and how they can be addressed.

The business case is being evaluated by the Boards of the organisations involved. [Clients not yet disclosed]

Futures Disrupter report cards [Sport NZ]

As part of Sport NZ’s futures work programme a set of 30+ one page report cards were produced on trends or developments that are likely to affect play, active recreation & sport. Each card identifies important trends or issues, and potential implications of these (both for sport & recreation, and more generally).

Disruptor information is updated every Quarter in reports to the SportNZ Board and partner organisations.

See the March 2024 Disruptor Scan.

Updating NZ Search & Rescue’s Environmental Scan [NZSAR]

An updated environmental scan was developed for NZ Search and Rescue. The scan, which is regularly refreshed, helps NZSAR and its partner organisations consider how demand for search & rescue services, and the supply of those services, may be affected by social, technological, economic, environmental, and political changes or events.

Future use cases of data-intensive research [REANNZ]

Working with Research & Advanced Network NZ and an expert panel, six potential use cases for data-intensive research over the next 10 to 20 years were developed. These are intended to stimulate thinking about emerging data-intensive R&D and the infrastructure and capabilities needed to support it.

The use cases were: creating a digital volcano; an underwater visual & acoustic observatory; weaving knowledge systems for healthy communities; deep chemistry; a global disaster sensing network; and taking ‘omics’ out to the farm.

Research capabilities and capacities needed to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions [NZAGRC]

Research capability and capacity constraints that are slowing the development and adoption of emissions mitigation practices on farms were identified. The report, based on a survey and interviews with stakeholders, placed the research environment in the broader context of other factors that influence the nature and pace of agricultural emissions research. The report is to inform how any additional investment into this research area could best be utilised. The client was the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre.

The future of sheep farming in 2070 [AgResearch]

Day One Futures has helped AgResearch adopt futures thinking methods to assist internal and external stakeholders start thinking about how pastoral sheep farming may change over the coming decades. This project is not yet complete, with the focus to date on helping AgResearch staff develop futures literacy & capabilities.

CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ENVIRONMENT ROADMAP FOR ACTION [BRANZ]

Working with BRANZ, Catapult, and Thinkstep-ANZ, Day One Futures helped develop the Construction Sector Environment Roadmap for Action. It identifies steps the sector can take to move construction towards zero-carbon, circular economy, and regenerative practices.

Environmental challenges, opportunities and transitions for construction in Aotearoa New Zealand [BRANZ]

This report developed in association with BRANZ, Catapult and Thinkstep-anz lays out seven environmental issues that the construction sector needs to address to become more sustainable. It informs the development of an environmental roadmap that is part of the activities under the Construction Sector Accord.

The future of play, active recreation and sport in NZ [Sport NZ]

This project involved developing progress reports based on sector workshops, and a final scenarios report that outlines the potential futures facing physical activity in New Zealand.

Coronavirus research tracking [NZ Science Media Centre]

From 2020 to 2022 weekly reviews of research related to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 were produced to help researchers and journalists keep track of important research developments.

Systems thinking in the construction sector [BRANZ]

Day One has worked with Building Research Association of NZ to identify how to adopt systems thinking in the construction and building sector to improve productivity, safety and sustainability.

Digital rights and social licence issues associated with government use of new and emerging technologies [Department of Internal Affairs]

Workshops and interviews with government agencies were used to identify current and anticipated uses of digital technologies.

A framework (called V+FACETS) was developed to help agencies, and the government as a whole, consider the ethics, trust, acceptability and accessibility issues associated with specific technologies and their applications. This framework covers values, fairness, accountability, credibility, engagement, transparency and security factors.

Environmental Scan [Science NZ]

Day One Futures ran a workshop with Crown Research Institute strategy managers to identify the drivers and trends influencing research and development.

The future of the construction sector [BRANZ]

Robert has written a series of scenarios on the future of the construction sector for the construction Industry Transformation Agenda website.

Four short science scenarios

Using the four archetypes of the future, developed by Jim Dator and his colleagues at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Robert wrote a set of scenarios for a 2015 special futures issue of the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, which the editors called a "joy to read".

Biotechnologies to 2025

Robert contributed to the Futurewatch report Biotechnologies to 2025, as well as being on the OECD steering group for their 2009 report The Bioeconomy to 2030: designing a policy agenda.