Public participation in futuring: A systematic literature review

Against the background of continuous calls to democratize futures research and practice, this paper reports the results of a systematic literature review of the involvement of publics in participatory futuring processes. The paper considers three key research questions: Who participates in public futuring processes? Why are publics included in these processes? And what roles do they occupy? By considering practices of participation in futuring, we aim to build a comprehensive picture of the participatory futuring landscape and highlight elements of process design that may enhance or diminish a process's democratic potential. We conclude by suggesting directions for possible future research that could serve the field's continuing desire to democratize and further integrate participatory and critical approaches to futuring. • Most participatory futuring is only inclusive of experts and professionals. • Majority of participatory futuring with publics involves them alongside experts and professionals. • Processes are limited in their consideration of what makes a group of participants diverse. • Identity position of ‘subject of the future’ could foster generative approach to participant identity. • Participatory futuring may empower in ways that Arnstein’s ladder of citizen participation does not capture.