I'm Scott Smith, futurist, researcher, writer, and occasional speaker currently based in Barcelona. This is where I write about culture, geopolitics, and the future — independently, and without a schedule.
I studied economic history amid the collapse of the Soviet Union, and became a financial journalist during the sterling crash of the early 90s. Futures work is just the same instinct pointed in the other direction.
In 2007, I founded Changeist, after 15 years working in forecasting, strategy, and consulting in New York, DC, and London — including stints as research director for several of the earliest Internet research firms. In that time I've done work for UNDP, JPMorganChase, Google, The Economist, the BBC, Comcast, Dubai Future Foundation, and AXA, among others. Most recently, I founded and now co-lead a project called 10F Consortium, a global network of analysts looking at critical post-globalization shifts.
I wrote "How to Future: Leading and Sense-making in an Age of Hyperchange," published in 2020 by Kogan Page, and co-wrote "Future Cultures: How to Build a Future-ready Organization Through Leadership," with Susan Cox-Smith, also published by Kogan Page, in 2023.
I've been a columnist for Quartz, and a guest writer for WIRED UK, the Stanford Social Innovation Review, the Atlantic, and an array of other publications. I wrote a small piece for Dave Eggers' MIGHT Magazine in the 90s. You may be too young to remember that.
Over the years, I've given talks in Mexico City, Kyiv, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Oslo, and points in between. I’ve guested on podcasts and international broadcast news, and written and produced a few audio programs as well. I even have a not very good Wikipedia page, for my sins.
I spend too much time reading contemporary folk horror, watching low-budget giallo, and listening to motorik.