Life After COVID-19: Get Ready for our Post-Pandemic Future from Coursera

The pandemic will create long-lasting and surprising ripple effects, even after vaccines are widely available. Are you ready for what's next?

This course will give you a clear forecast of the challenges and opportunities you’re most likely to encounter over the next 3-5 years, as a direct result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

- Find out what risks still lie ahead

- Make a plan for resilience

- Play future forecasting games to stretch your imagination about what's possible

- Build your post-pandemic confidence

- Envision the world you want to live in when we’re all finally on the other side of COVID-19. How can you take advantage of this unprecedented moment of disruption to make positive change in your community, company or other organization?

By completing this course, you’ll be better understand the “future shock” we’ve all just lived through together. You'll be able to identify the 7 pre-existing conditions of society that made the pandemic more severe and harder to recover from -- from economic inequality and racial injustice to fragile public trust and the climate emergency. Looking ahead, you'll explore the most surprising and exciting solutions that are being proposed to help our communities heal from these pre-existing conditions.

COVID-19 is a roller-coaster ride we will all be on for years to come. With the skills you build in this class, such as learning to spot the four patterns of change that occur during any period of crisis or major disruption, you will be better able to see the ups and downs coming before you get there. And you'll feel more in control of what happens next, as you learn to use the Institute for the Future's post-pandemic Toolkit for Transformation.

By the end of this course, you'll be more knowledgeable and better qualified to help yourself, or your company or other organization, navigate the rest of the pandemic and find success on our long road to recovery and reinvention.

This courses is taught by Institute for the Future Research Director Jane McGonigal, PhD.

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to our Post-Pandemic Future

Are you ready to zoom out of the present and into the future? This week, you'll learn how to get into a "post-pandemic" mindset. You'll discover the four patterns of change to watch during any major disruption or crisis. You'll hear the Institute for the Future's forecast for what Life After Covid-19 will be like over the next 3-5 years, including the biggest risks, opportunities and dilemmas. And you'll find out how, exactly, the Institute forecasts pandemics and their surprising long-term consequences. You'll end the week by making your own first post-pandemic future forecast.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive forecast of the challenges and opportunities learners may encounter over the next 3-5 years, as a direct result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

Helps learners envision the world they want to live in after the current global health crisis

Teaches learners how to anticipate what's next, long after the current pandemic is over

Examines the 7 preexisting conditions of society that made the pandemic more severe and harder to recover from

Teaches learners the habits of professional futurists

Taught by Jane McGonigal, PhD, Research Director of the Institute for the Future

Reviews summary

Navigating post-pandemic future with foresight

According to students, this course provides a highly timely and relevant framework for understanding the complex, long-term impacts of the pandemic. Learners appreciate the expert instruction from the Institute for the Future, noting its focus on developing crucial resilience and future forecasting skills. The course helps to demystify societal changes, offering unique perspectives and practical tools for envisioning post-pandemic opportunities. Reviewers find the engaging, often game-based exercises a novel way to stretch their imagination, ultimately aiming to boost confidence in navigating future disruptions and making positive change. While largely positive, some may seek more granular, domain-specific applications.

Incorporates unconventional, engaging methods like forecasting games.

"The 'future forecasting games' were an interesting and surprisingly effective way to learn; truly unique."

"I wasn't sure about the game-based elements at first, but they genuinely helped stretch my imagination."

"Some parts felt a bit abstract with the creative exercises, but they served their purpose for broad thinking and innovation."

Examines wider societal impacts like inequality and climate change.

"I liked that it looked beyond just personal or economic impacts to broader societal challenges like inequality and climate."

"The course broadened my view significantly on how pre-existing conditions affect our collective recovery."

"It truly helped me envision the kind of world I want to live in and my role in shaping it post-pandemic."

Empowers individuals and organizations for recovery and reinvention.

"I feel much more prepared to build resilience both personally and professionally after completing this course."

"The emphasis on taking meaningful action for positive change was incredibly inspiring and motivating for me."

"It moved beyond just understanding the problems to actively shaping a better future for myself and my community."

Equips learners with actionable tools for future planning.

"The Toolkit for Transformation is a truly valuable asset that I can directly apply in my company or organization."

"I found the four patterns of change and the World Economic Forum's Global Risks Report highly practical for strategic thinking."

"The course gave me concrete ways to analyze potential future disruptions and proactively plan for them."

Benefits from the expertise of a leading futurist and institution.

"Dr. Jane McGonigal's expertise truly shines through, offering unique and authoritative perspectives on future trends."

"Learning from the Institute for the Future gave me immense confidence in the frameworks and forecasts taught."

"The instructor made complex, forward-looking ideas both accessible and incredibly engaging throughout the modules."

Addresses the crucial, evolving topic of post-pandemic impact.

"The course felt incredibly timely, helping me understand the broad societal shifts happening right now."

"I truly appreciated how current and relevant the subject matter was to navigating today's challenges."

"This is essential learning for anyone trying to make sense of the world after COVID-19, offering much-needed context."

Some learners may seek more concrete, domain-specific strategies.

"While the concepts are powerful, I was hoping for more specific business application examples relevant to my industry."

"It's excellent for big-picture thinking, but less so for detailed, step-by-step career or industry-specific moves."

"I gained a valuable framework, though I sometimes wished for more granular, industry-specific scenarios and solutions."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Life After COVID-19: Get Ready for our Post-Pandemic Future with these activities:

Review Risk Assessment Techniques

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Ensures that students have a solid foundation in risk assessment techniques, which are essential for navigating the uncertainties of the post-pandemic world.

Browse courses on Risk Management

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Review key concepts of risk assessment, such as risk identification, analysis, and mitigation.
Explore different risk assessment tools and methodologies.
Apply these techniques to a practical scenario related to post-pandemic recovery.

Read and Review: Future Shock

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Provides perspective on the challenges and opportunities that arise during periods of rapid change.

View Future Shock on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Summarize the main arguments and predictions made by Toffler.
Consider how these concepts may apply to the current post-pandemic landscape.

Discussion Forum on Post-Pandemic Opportunities

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Fosters collaboration and exchange of ideas among students, encouraging them to think critically about potential opportunities in the post-pandemic world.

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Join the course discussion forum.
Participate in the designated discussion threads on post-pandemic opportunities.
Share your thoughts and insights, drawing on course materials and personal observations.
Engage with other students' posts and perspectives.

Four other activities

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Explore Futures Thinking Tools

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Introduces students to tools and techniques used by professional futurists to enhance their forecasting abilities.

Browse courses on Futures Literacy

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Research and identify online resources and tutorials on futures thinking tools.
Select a few tools that are relevant to the course content.
Complete the tutorials and practice using the tools to explore different futures scenarios.
Share your experiences and insights with the class.

Scenario-Based Forecasting Exercises

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Develops students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills by practicing forecasting in hypothetical future scenarios.

Browse courses on Scenario Planning

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Review the four patterns of change discussed in the course.
Choose a specific industry or sector of interest.
Create a set of scenarios based on potential future events and disruptions.
For each scenario, identify potential risks and opportunities for the chosen industry or sector.
Develop recommendations for how to prepare for and leverage these potential outcomes.

Contribute to the Institute for the Future's Post-Pandemic Toolkit

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Provides students with an opportunity to engage in real-world problem-solving and contribute to a shared resource that can benefit others.

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Review the Institute for the Future's Post-Pandemic Toolkit.
Identify an area where you can make a meaningful contribution.
Create or refine a resource (e.g., tool, article, case study) that aligns with the toolkit's goals.
Submit your contribution to the toolkit for review.

Design a Post-Pandemic Innovation Proposal

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Challenges students to apply their knowledge and creativity by developing a proposal for an innovative solution that addresses a post-pandemic challenge or opportunity.

Browse courses on Innovation

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Identify a specific post-pandemic challenge or opportunity.
Research and analyze the problem or opportunity in detail.
Brainstorm and develop a creative solution.
Create a comprehensive proposal outlining the solution, its potential impact, and a plan for implementation.
Present your proposal to the class for feedback and discussion.

Career center

Learners who complete Life After COVID-19: Get Ready for our Post-Pandemic Future will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Futurist

Futurists study potential future developments across various societal and technological domains. Graduates of this course will learn the habits of professional futurists, such tracking driving forces, collecting and analyzing signals of change, and imagining different possible futures. These are all important skills for Futurists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Futurist

Futures Researcher

Futures Researchers are similar to Futurists. They study future potential by conducting research across multiple disciplines. Graduates of this course will learn how to spot the four patterns of change that occur during any period of crisis or major disruption, This skill is key to success for Futures Researchers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Futures Researcher

Technology Forecaster

Technology Forecasters study potential future technological developments. Graduates of this course will learn how to spot the four patterns of change that occur during any period of crisis or major disruption, which can help inform more accurate forecasts. This skill is key to success for Technology Forecasters.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Forecaster

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers develop and implement sustainability strategies and programs for organizations. Understanding the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic world is key to success for Sustainability Managers. Graduates of this course will learn essential skills like forecasting change and building resilience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Strategic Planner

Strategic Planners conduct research and develop plans to help organizations achieve their long-term goals. Graduates of this course will learn how to plan for organizational resilience in the face of ongoing socio-economic and environmental challenges. Graduates will also practice important skills such as tracking driving forces, collecting and analyzing signals of change, and imagining different possible futures.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategic Planner

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the activities of nonprofit organizations. Understanding the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic world is key to success for Nonprofit Managers. Graduates of this course will learn essential skills like forecasting change and building resilience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Forecasting Analyst

Forecasting Analysts predict future events and developments by analyzing data and identifying trends. Graduates of this course will learn how to spot the four patterns of change that occur during any period of crisis or major disruption, which can help inform more accurate forecasts. This skill is key to success for Forecasting Analysts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Forecasting Analyst

Program Manager

Program Managers plan, organize, and direct the activities of programs, projects, and initiatives. Understanding the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic world is key to success for Program Managers. Graduates of this course will learn essential skills like forecasting change and building resilience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, organize, and direct the activities of projects. Understanding the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic world is key to success for Project Managers. Graduates of this course will learn essential skills like forecasting change and building resilience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Security Analyst

Security Analysts assess and mitigate risks to an organization's security. Graduates of this course will learn how to plan for organizational resilience in the face of ongoing socio-economic and environmental challenges. Graduates may also learn how to spot the four patterns of change that occur during any period of crisis or major disruption.

See salaries and explore the career path for Security Analyst

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts help public and government entities understand policy challenges and the potential impacts of policy decisions. This course can help Policy Analysts build a foundation to critically evaluate policy during times of crisis and rapid social change. The course can help build confidence in adapting to challenges and opportunities that may arise during these times.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Sustainability Specialist

Sustainability Specialists help organizations and government entities to adopt policies and practices which prioritize sustainability. The course description mentions climate emergency as a precondition of COVID-19. Graduates of this course will be better prepared to address the influence of climate change on the future of communities and organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Specialist

Public Policy Researcher

Public Policy Researchers conduct research and analysis to inform public policy decisions. Graduates of this course may better understand the potential impacts of policy decisions in the context of a post-pandemic world. Forecasting change and building resilience are essential skills for success as a policy researcher.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers identify, assess, and mitigate risks faced by companies and organizations. Graduates of this course will be better able to plan for organizational resilience in the face of ongoing socio-economic and environmental challenges. This course can help Risk Managers adapt to a changing landscape and understand potential risks in an uncertain future.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers write and submit grant proposals to secure funding for organizations and projects. Graduates of this course may be better prepared to find funding opportunities for projects that address the challenges and opportunities of the post-pandemic world. Understanding the Institute for the Future's Toolkit for Transformation could set you apart from competing Grant Writers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer