Jennifer Gidley, PhD

Jennifer Gidley, PhD, is a global thought leader and advocate for human-centered futures in an era of hi-tech hype. She is known for her exceptional scholarship and grounded understanding of the challenges people face in an increasingly uncertain world. Her insights focus on creating hopeful yet practical strategies for better futures, making her a respected voice in the Futures community. Dr. Gidley’s expertise is marked by her ability to bridge high-tech innovation with a focus on humanity, providing inspiration and guidance to diverse audiences.

Dr. Gidley founded Global Futures Education, a platform offering high-level online education for professionals and executives. Over the years, she has developed a series of courses on "Grand Global Futures Challenges and Solutions" to address the world's critical issues, including climate change. Dr. Gidley’s innovative educational contributions include designing an online MSc in Strategic Foresight at Swinburne University in Melbourne and creating executive-level courses in the USA and Iran. She has also co-curated the European Commission’s "Future Forward" project in collaboration with TED-Ed.

Dr. Gidley's global influence as a consultant, speaker, and educator has taken her to projects across Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the USA. Her long-standing dedication to education is inspired by Rudolf Steiner’s philosophy and pedagogy, which she has applied throughout her 40-year career. She has held academic positions at several Australian universities and was an Adjunct Professor at the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS, Sydney. Dr. Gidley’s leadership as the longest-serving President of the World Futures Studies Federation from 2009 to 2017 transformed the organization into a globally respected Futures NGO.

Throughout her career, Dr. Gidley has championed human-centered, participatory approaches to futures studies emphasizing individual empowerment, long-term thinking, and sustainability. Her extensive academic contributions include over 50 publications and co-editing significant works like "The University in Transformation" and "Youth Futures." Her recent books, such as "Postformal Education: A Philosophy for Complex Futures" and "The Future: A Very Short Introduction," have gained international recognition and are used in futures studies programs worldwide.