Biography of Tony Stevenson
Prof. Tony Stevenson grew up in the small Australian city of Toowoomba, the son of shop assistants. He worked as a radio and television broadcaster for the Australian Broadcast Corp. (ABC). He got married (he has 2 children, 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren).
In 1960, he moved to Canada to work for two technical trade magazines — and Canadian Nuclear Technology. In 1978, he earned his MA in Communication Management in University of Hawaii. In 1985, He was asked to coordinate a new master’s program in communication at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane.
His work at the Communication Centre from 1990 until 1998 addressed both the nature of communication in the future and the way communication gives us meaning about the future. Stevenson became more active in the World Futures Studies Federation. The WFSF had an introductory futures seminar annually in Europe since 1975, and Stevenson started one in the Asia-Pacific region in 1992.
Tony Stevenson dedicated his research to understanding how individuals conceptualize the future. Through his writing, speaking engagements, and consultancy work, he delved into various aspects of future studies, particularly focusing on the impact of human communication and emerging technologies on our lifestyles, caregiving practices, educational methods, and professional environments within local and global communities.
As the president of the World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF), an international non-governmental organization affiliated with UNESCO, representing futurists from 90 countries, Tony played a pivotal role in advancing the discourse on future studies globally. Additionally, he served as a member of UNESCO’s Council on the Future.
For WFSF, he has conceived and directed international courses in futures studies and was secretary-general from 1993 to 1997. He remained its President from 1997 until 2001.
Previously, Tony held the position of director at the Communication Centre at Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia. The center specialized in communication futures research and explored the role of communication in community and organizational change and development.
Before transitioning to futures studies, Tony had a background in print, radio, and television journalism. His academic journey led him to pursue graduate studies at the University of Hawaii, focusing on organizational communication for strategic planning.
During his tenure at the Communication Centre from 1990 to 1998, Tony’s research addressed the evolving nature of communication and its significance in shaping our perceptions of the future. His publications, including collaborative works with Sohail Inayatullah, explored communication futures in depth.
Tony’s expertise as a keynote speaker, seminar director, and process facilitator was sought after worldwide, with engagements on every continent. He provided consultancy services to prestigious organizations such as UNESCO, the Wet Tropics Management Authority, and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, among others.
Within WFSF, Tony conceptualized and led international courses in futures studies and held the position of secretary-general from 1993 to 1997. He remained committed to advancing the organization’s mission well into the new century.
In a bold move, Tony decided to depart academia early to focus on research and consultancy for non-profit and community organizations. His work aimed to anticipate future models for organizational and community development in an increasingly communicative age, reflecting his dedication to fostering positive change for the future.
