Trendspotting in Theory and Practice
Turbulent times increase the importance of innovation and transformation in all sectors. The understanding about future trends and how to identify them is an important skill.
About the course
Trend spotting is important in innovation processes to understand how needs and contexts may change from now and into the future. In this course, you will gain an understanding of how trend spotting and contextual analyses are relevant parts of the innovation process. You learn methods and tools that you can use in your professional role and other roles you have in life. As a professional worker, you can use the course's exercises in your own development work in parallel with your studies.
The goal is to create knowledge about the field itself, and to provide the conditions for self-reflection and a future-oriented approach to innovation and change. This is valuable both for individuals and on an organizational level.
The course includes pre-recorded videos, texts and articles for self-study and the study pace is flexible. There are no scheduled meetings in the course.
You will learn
- basic concepts, methods and models in trend spotting and contextual analysis
- to plan and carry out systematic scanning- and analysis work, as well as consider ethical aspects in the work,
- the function of trend scanning in innovation and development processes,
- to evaluate the quality of sources and assess their relevance regarding reliability in decision-making,
- to reflect on and discuss the importance of trends and tendencies for innovation and development.
Occasions for this course
-
Scope
7.5 credits
Time
2025-01-20 - 2025-06-08 (part time 25%)
Education level
First cycle
Course type
Freestanding course
Application code
MDU-14600
Language
English
Study location
Skellefteå
Course syllabus & literature
See course plan and literature list (INO127)Requirements
General entry requirements
Selection
Upper secondary (high school) grades, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, University credits
-
Scope
7.5 credits
Time
2025-01-20 - 2025-06-08 (part time 25%)
Education level
First cycle
Course type
Freestanding course
Application code
MDU-14535
Language
English
Study location
Independent of location
Teaching form
Distance learning
Number of mandatory occasions including examination: 0
Number of other physical occasions: 0Course syllabus & literature
See course plan and literature list (INO127)Requirements
General entry requirements
Selection
Upper secondary (high school) grades, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, University credits
-
Scope
7.5 credits
Time
2025-06-09 - 2025-08-24 (part time 50%)
Education level
First cycle
Course type
Freestanding course
Application code
MDU-34000
Language
English
Study location
Independent of location
Teaching form
Distance learning
Number of mandatory occasions including examination: 0
Number of other physical occasions: 0Course syllabus & literature
See course plan and literature list (INO127)Requirements
General entry requirements
Selection
Upper secondary (high school) grades, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, University credits
Autumn semester 2025
-
Scope
7.5 credits
Time
2025-09-01 - 2026-01-18 (part time 25%)
Education level
First cycle
Course type
Freestanding course
Application code
MDU-24503
Language
English
Study location
Independent of location
Teaching form
Distance learning
Number of mandatory occasions including examination: 0
Number of other physical occasions: 0Course syllabus & literature
See course plan and literature list (INO127)Requirements
General entry requirements
Selection
Upper secondary (high school) grades, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, University credits
-
Scope
7.5 credits
Time
2026-01-19 - 2026-06-07 (part time 25%)
Education level
First cycle
Course type
Freestanding course
Application code
MDU-14535
Language
English
Study location
Independent of location
Teaching form
Distance learning
Number of mandatory occasions including examination: 0
Number of other physical occasions: 0Course syllabus & literature
See course plan and literature list (INO127)Requirements
General entry requirements
Selection
Upper secondary (high school) grades, Swedish Scholastic Aptitude Test, University credits
Questions about the course?
If you have any questions about the course, please contact the Course Coordinator.