The Future of Sense-making
This report examines the evolving ways in which Canadians make sense of information and the implications for policy-making.
Excerpt from report:
“Powerful disruptions to sense-making could change where Canadians find information, what
and who they trust, and how they tell facts from lies. Changes in our sense-making could
also affect Canadians’ ability to understand and willingness to engage with government policies,
as well as their desire to participate in programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted
the importance of sense-making in precisely these areas.”
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Policy Horizons Canada |
| Publication date: | May 29, 2021 |
| Authors: | John Beasy, Chris Hagerman, Peter Padbury, Simon Robertson, Julie-Anne Turner, Kristel Van de Elst, Eric Ward, Maryam Alam, Geraldine Green, Nelly Leonidis, Alain Piquette, Nadia Zwierzchowska |
| Geographic focus: | Canada |
| Page count: | 29 |
Methods
This report is purely qualitative based on recent news events, trends, and issues. No scenarios are presented, only drivers and key questions for implications of the drivers. The scanning is more generalized than specific. A system model is presented for how they define sense-making, but it is only used as an educational tool to explain to the read what sense-making is as a process. It was not used to crunch any numbers or simulate any futures. It could be viewed more as a domain map.
- Simulation and modeling
Key Insights
The report by Policy Horizons Canada explores the future of sense-making, focusing on how Canadians interpret information and experiences to make decisions and act. It identifies key areas of change in sense-making, such as knowledge production, digital disruption, shared narratives, sensing bodies, and mental models. The study considers the impact of these changes on policy contexts, including trust in government, public health communication, and democratic institutions. It also raises policy-relevant questions to guide future government strategies in the face of disruptive change.
Drivers mentioned include:
- Digital Disruption
- Shared Narratives and Experiences
- Sensing, Feeling, and Thinking Bodies
- Mental Models and Ways of Knowing
Additional Viewpoints
Categories: 2021 publication year | English publication language | canada geographic scope | community | digital disruption | digital transformation | identity | media | sense making | trust