The Three Horizons Approach

"This book shows in a remarkably clear and grounded way why the Three Horizons approach is a vital resource for dealing with complexity and uncertainty about the future."

— Marcel Beyer, Bielefeld University 

This open access book offers the first comprehensive synthesis of the Three Horizons approach, a participatory framework first introduced by Anthony Hodgson and colleagues to understand change in complex systems, envision possible and desired futures, and navigate the paths between. The framework shows the interplay between the current dominant system (Horizon 1), emerging alternatives (Horizon 3), and the way in which the turbulent space between (Horizon 2) can become the site of transformational change. This volume weaves contributions from the framework's originators with global case studies and practical tools. It moves from conceptual foundations through applied practice to deeper questions of perception, hope, and transformative capacity. In a world wrestling with polycrisis, Three Horizons offers a generative way to integrate systemic thinking and creative imagination, opening pathways where others may see only disruption. The book is for scholars, practitioners, and change-makers working in possibility, futures, and anticipation studies, across diverse fields including education, health, sustainability, and social change.

Trace Gale is a Senior Researcher at the Centro de Investigación en Ecosistemas de la Patagonia (CIEP) in Chile. Her participatory action research with communities navigating territorial transitions in Patagonia opened a deeper engagement with Three Horizons, and from that curiosity this book was born.
Andrew Curry is an internationally known futurist, writer, and facilitator central to the development of Three Horizons as both theory and practice.
Sue Robinson is a psychotherapist and Three Horizons practitioner whose work bridges psychological insight with futures practice.
Sahar Hadidimoud is a futures practitioner, facilitator, and editor working at the intersection of futures and strategy.