Barrie Stevens

Barrie Stevens is Head of the OECD's International Futures Programme. He holds a PhD in economics and social policy from Hamburg University, Germany, following studies in business and languages in Manchester, UK.  Previous professional experience includes university teaching (economics, social policy), project management in market research (industrial and consumer research) and marketing consultancy.
He joined the OECD in 1982 and worked on a variety of socio-economic issues, including structural adjustment, trade protection and education and training.  He has been involved in future studies since the creation in 1990 of the OECD International Futures Programme, which is located in the Advisory Unit.  The Programme, which is concerned with the identification and evaluation of newly emerging economic and social issues, aims to promote strategic thinking, test new ideas, and stimulate dialogue between government, business and research on long-term issues.
He is author or co-author of some 40 books and articles on themes ranging from societal change, globalisation and new technologies, to trade, health, energy and transport.  Most recently he was co-author of two major OECD reports on “Emerging Systemic Risks in the 21st Century” and “The Security Economy.” He is currently directing an OECD project on "Infrastructures to 2030".