Understanding the Future
We investigate changes in technology, work and society, asking what they mean for people’s capacity to act.
Explore our research →About us
Future Skills need a direction.
We investigate which abilities people need for a future shaped by AI, uncertainty and social change, and how these abilities can realistically be developed.
Our approach
Understanding the future. Making sense of skills. Enabling development.
The Future Skills Institut is an independent research and development platform. We connect futures research, competency frameworks, international practical experience and personal development.
Structuring Future Skills
The Future Skills Framework describes 24 skills and 96 subskills in six development fields, providing a shared language for research and practice.
Explore the framework →Enabling development
With WEITER7, we turn orientation into a realistic development journey, from a personal vision to a concrete learning experiment.
Get to know WEITER7 →The people behind the institute
Research foundations, international educational experience and practical expertise.
The Future Skills Institut was founded by Prof. Dr. Alex Michel and Pascal Schoog. Together with Marco Habermann, the team combines academic perspectives, technological and entrepreneurial experience, and international executive education.
Prof. Dr. Alex Michel
Founder and Academic Initiator
Alex Michel combines academic work with strategic and entrepreneurial experience. His professional roles at McKinsey & Company and Bosch shape his perspective on transformation, strategy and the abilities people and organisations need during change.
Focus at the instituteResearch foundations, the Future Skills Framework and connecting questions about the future with a good life in a changing world.
Pascal Schoog
Founder and Initiator for Technology and Implementation
Pascal Schoog is an automation expert and co-author of the books Marketing Engineering and Marketing Re-Engineering. His professional experience at Procter & Gamble, Thomas Cook and 1&1 connects technological, entrepreneurial and market perspectives.
Focus at the instituteAutomation, digital transformation and the practical implementation of change.
Marco Habermann
Academic Lead - Executive Education & International Practice
Marco Habermann combines university teaching, international executive education and extensive practical experience. As Associate Professor and Director of Executive Education and Corporate Training at Ohio University, he develops and supports learning and development programmes for students, executives and companies. His earlier roles at McKinsey & Company and Deutsche Bank shape his perspective on strategy, leadership and organisational change.
Focus at the instituteExecutive education, international skill development and applying Future Skills to leadership, management development and organisational practice.
Future Skills Perspective Panel
Different life stages. International perspectives. A shared focus.
The Perspective Panel brings people with different experiences into a structured dialogue about Future Skills. Its focus is on life, education and work in Germany. Perspectives from India, China, the USA and other countries help us question assumptions and better understand cultural and organisational differences.
The panel offers feedback on the institute’s research questions, models and practical ideas. It reveals what matters to people at different stages of life and work, where concepts connect with their experience, and which blind spots a single perspective would leave.
Life and career stageStudents & LearnersUniversity, vocational education and continuing learning
Life and career stageEarly CareerStarting out, finding direction and taking on initial responsibilities
Life and career stageExperienced ProfessionalsExperience, transitions and long-term development
Perspectives on shaping changeLeadership & EntrepreneurshipLeadership, founding businesses and entrepreneurial responsibility
Perspectives on shaping changeLearning & DevelopmentPeople development, coaching and organisational learning
Gradually and transparently: The panel is being developed internationally, with balanced participation across the five perspectives. We publish individual profiles only once roles are agreed and explicit consent has been given. The Future Skills Institut retains responsibility for research, assessments and publications.
Complementary roles
Distinct roles for advice and practical support.
The Perspective Panel contributes diverse experiences. Two additional formats have different responsibilities: specialist and strategic advice, and professional support in applying the method.
Future Skills Advisory Council
People from academia, management and entrepreneurship advise on the research agenda and strategic development. They challenge models and strengthen the connection between evidence and organisational reality.
- Critically examine research questions
- Contribute methodological and strategic ideas
- Challenge relevance and practical application
WEITER7 Coach Network
Experienced coaches, organisational consultants and learning and development specialists support individuals and organisations in applying WEITER7.
- Support development journeys professionally
- Bring learning experiments into everyday life
- Contribute practical experience to further development
Clear roles: The Perspective Panel contributes different life and career experiences. The Advisory Council advises on research and strategy. The WEITER7 Coach Network supports practical application. Each person’s specific role must be agreed together before they are assigned to it.
How we work
Transparency is a working principle.
Credibility comes from transparent reasoning, clearly stated limitations and a willingness to revisit assumptions as new evidence emerges.
01
Make research status visibleWe indicate whether a claim is based on our own research, external evidence, a development model or a working hypothesis.
02
Document sources transparentlyWe make key reasoning and sources accessible so that claims can be understood and checked.
03
Explain methods and limitationsFor our own studies, we describe the approach, sample, scope and limitations, including conclusions that cannot be drawn.
04
Distinguish roles clearlyResearch, model development, specialist advice and practical services are visibly distinguished by their respective functions.
05
Interpret contexts carefullyGermany is our primary reference point. International perspectives help us recognise cultural and organisational differences without claiming representativeness.
06
Keep models open to learningWe do not treat frameworks as final truths. New research and practical experience may justify revisions.
Collaboration
Understanding, testing and developing Future Skills together.
We welcome dialogue with people and organisations who wish to contribute academic perspectives, international experience and practical questions.