By Stephen Dupont
Throughout my career, one thing I’ve realized is sometimes you just need to raise your hand and jump in with both feet.
That’s what I did about a year ago. Andy Hines had suggested joining the Association of Professional Futurists (APF) during one of the courses I was taking through the UH Foresight master’s program and I took him up on his idea. He even sponsored me.
After joining the APF, I responded to an email about volunteering for APF. I said I’d be happy to help with writing and editing. I was connected with Compass, and I’ve been working with a small group of other APF members who have been focused on publishing the magazine on a more regular basis.
I’m now two issues into this volunteer project and am working on the next issue. So far, so good. I’m having a blast interviewing professional futurists around the world and collaborating with other futurists on their stories. Which leads me to this:
I’d like to invite you – all current University of Houston Foresight graduate students, certificate program participants, and alum of the Foresight program — to join me by contributing your articles, your insights and your ideas to Compass magazine.
Let me tell you about the latest issue, which is available on apf.org. It is jammed packed with thoughtful and thought-provoking articles focusing on climate change, solar punk, deep time, food systems, ethics, urban design and much more, including an article on must-see movies for futurists.
Two of my fellow classmates, JT Mudge and Eben Kowler, have stories in this latest issue. JT is passionate about ethics and foresight. Eben shared his insights about solar punk (how cool is that!). This latest issue of Compass allowed me to connect with UH Foresight alum Terry Grim, and in the issue prior to that (March 2022), UH Foresight alum Jim Lee, Heather Benoit, Pamela Scheid, Daniel Riveong, Roger Spitz and Dr. Sarah Skidmore shared their insights in various articles.
In thinking about the future of Compass magazine, we want it to be global voice of professional futurists. This latest issue is a great example of that concept – it features articles from futurists living and working around the world – Australia, Canada, Cambodia, England, Germany, Scotland, UAE, and the U.S.
Upcoming issues will focus on: Futures Education, Democracy and Foresight, and Foresight Careers. If you have an article you’d like to contribute on these topics or a topic that is near and dear to your heart, please contact me at stephen.dupont@pockethercules.com. If you’d like to interview other professional futurists and write an article based on those interviews, that would be great, too. Our team also is looking for stories that are fun to read – in this latest issue, Carla Bass wrote an article about movies that every futurist must view. Anyone interested in writing about the top 20 all-time songs or albums about the future?
In addition to writing, we’re looking for foresight professionals to contribute photos, videos, illustrations, and cartoons to the magazine, too.
The point is: we’d love to get your voice represented in Compass.
In every course I’ve taken so far through the UH Foresight program, I’ve heard over and over that storytelling is a critical component to communicating possible futures. Compass magazine offers an opportunity to hone your storytelling skills while at the same time, contribute to the ongoing dialogue and thinking of the foresight profession.
Consider this your invite to get involved. Welcome aboard.
Check Out Compass Magazine
If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the latest issue of Compass on apf.org:
Flipbook version (works in Chrome and Firefox)
Stephen Dupont, APR, PRSA Fellow is director of public relations and branded content at the Minneapolis creative firm Pocket Hercules. He is pursuing his master’s degree in the UH Foresight program.
