In June 2025, Imperial College London launched the Schools of Convergence Science. These schools will use transdisciplinary (relating to more than one branch of knowledge) work and unique combinations of knowledge to further Imperial’s Science for Humanity strategy.
Interconnected for a safer future
As the links between space, security, and telecommunications become stronger, a new school of thought is emerging—one that recognises the critical importance of convergence in shaping our future.
Imperial Tech Foresight (ITF) stands at the forefront of this movement, connecting academic expertise with real-world challenges through interdisciplinary foresight and collaborative innovation. By connecting academic expertise with real-world challenges, ITF empowers organisations to anticipate and respond to the rapid evolution of technologies that underpin global connectivity and security
The critical role of zero-gravity convergence
Space, security, and telecommunications are no longer isolated domains. Their convergence is fundamental to everything from national defence and global logistics to humanitarian action.
Imperial’s work in these areas is driving advances that make the world safer and more connected. ITF helps stakeholders understand both the vulnerabilities and opportunities within these critical systems, fostering resilience and adaptability in a landscape defined by constant change.
Through features and activities like the Futures Triangle of IoT, ITF highlights how interconnected systems can be leveraged for greater societal benefit while also identifying emerging risks.
Navigating complex futures
ITF provides a suite of articles and visual tools designed to help organizations navigate the intricate futures of space, security, and telecommunications. For example, Do machines dream of automated tasks? explores how automation and AI are transforming industries by enabling smarter, more resilient networks and systems.
Related articles from the Nature Meets Future series delve into the interplay between technological and natural systems, offering insights into resilience, regulation, and the evolution of digital commons. Visual maps of possible futures—from automation to quantum computing—equip organisations to anticipate risks and seize emerging opportunities.
Working with telecommunications experts
In a world where the pace of technological change is accelerating, the ability to navigate complexity and embrace innovation is more vital than ever. Imperial Tech Foresight has been operating for nearly 15 years. In that time, we have worked with academics who think not only about technology but its meaningful deployment to improve the world.
One of these is Professor Julie McCann who is one of the Co-Directors of the School of Convergence for Space, Security and Telecommunications.
In this video, you can hear Julie McCann reflect on the path of her work and its future since we first interviewed her in the early days of Imperial Tech Foresight.
Another of Imperial’s telecommunications experts is Professor Bruno Clerckx. Bruno Clerckx is Professor of Wireless Communications and Signal Processing and the Head of the Communications and Signal Processing Group. When we explored the possible futures of Computing and Energy in 2022, Bruno Clerckx helped colour them in with his thoughts and a video about his work on wireless energy transmission.
Is space still the final frontier?
Complementing the transdisciplinary work brought on by the Schools of Convergence, ITF’s foresight tools and collaborative programmes provide organisations with the frameworks and insights needed to build a safer, more connected world.
By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue, mapping out possible futures, and encouraging holistic thinking, Imperial College London ensures that stakeholders are not just reacting to change, but actively shaping it. The convergence of space, security, and telecommunications holds immense promise—and with the right vision and tools, we can chart a course toward a future where technology serves the common good, resilience is built into our systems, and global connectivity empowers progress for all.