Exploring the Future of Occupational Safety Research: A Strategic Foresight Approach

Details

• Personal Author:
  Streit, Jessica M. K. ; Felknor, Sarah A. ; Edwards, Nicole T. ; Howard, John J.
• Description:
  A team from the U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health conducted a strategic foresight project to explore the future of occupational safety research (OSR). Data collected via systematic horizon scanning and key informant interviews were synthesized into six drivers of OSR change: (1) technological advancement, (2) partnerships and public trust, (3) prioritizing research investments, (4) safety and health integration, (5) data and science quality, and (6) worker protections. These drivers served as the basis for envisioning four potential OSR futures. Analysis of the resulting scenarios identified opportunities to enhance and advance OSR methods and approaches, innovation, systems thinking, interpersonal networks and connections, and the ethical application of scientific findings as we move into the future of work.
• Subjects:
  Occupational Health Research As Topic Safety
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Future Of Work; Innovation; Long-term Planning; Occupational Safety; Systems Thinking; Strategic Action Occupational Safety And Health; Occupational Hazards; Total Worker Health; TWH; Workforce Development; Future Of Work;
• ISSN:
  1545-9624
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; Texas ; Pennsylvania ; District of Columbia ; Chicago Region [OSHA] ; Dallas Region [OSHA] ; Philadelphia Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OD - Office of the Director
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  14 pdf pages
• Volume:
  22
• Issue:
  11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071118
• Citation:
  J Occup Environ Hyg 2025 Nov; 22(11):925-937
• Email:
  jstreit@cdc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:38bd613d44906f6c3ad19ef0760ec7f421585f8c822cf4d90ebd9f7537b1d65cf501bcd763787a3ccd354e9bd2165109a9d73508d9a6209a3de0d6f8516321be
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/257894/cdc_257894_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.57 MB ]