Sohail Inayatullah
UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies and Developer of Causal Layered Analysis
Profile
Sohail Inayatullah (born 1958, Lahore, Pakistan)1 is arguably the most influential non-Western futures scholar of the past three decades, having fundamentally transformed futures studies through his development of Causal Layered Analysis (CLA)2 and his integration of poststructuralist, critical, and Eastern philosophical approaches into futures methodology. Currently serving as UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies at IIUM Malaysia and Professor at Tamkang University Taiwan3, his work bridges empirical foresight with deep cultural analysis, creating methodologies that have been adopted globally across academic, policy, and organizational contexts.
Current Positions
- UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
- Professor, Graduate Institute of Futures Studies, Tamkang University, Taipei (since 2000)4
- Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Futures Studies5
- Founder, Metafuture.org think tank and consultancy6
Educational Background
- PhD in Political Science, University of Hawaii (focus on macrohistory and P.R. Sarkar’s philosophy)7
- Multicultural upbringing across Pakistan, USA, Switzerland, and Malaysia due to father’s UN employment8
Intellectual Contributions
Development of Causal Layered Analysis
Inayatullah’s signature contribution to futures studies is Causal Layered Analysis (CLA), created in the late 1990s2. This revolutionary methodology analyzes issues across four interconnected layers:
- Litany: Surface-level events, media headlines, quantitative trends
- Systems: Underlying social, economic, political structures
- Worldview/Discourse: Ideological frames, paradigms, ways of knowing
- Myth/Metaphor: Deep stories, collective unconscious, archetypal narratives
CLA enables practitioners to deconstruct present realities, identify hidden assumptions, and create transformative futures by addressing root metaphors and cultural narratives9.
Establishing Critical Futures Studies
Inayatullah pioneered the integration of poststructuralist theory into futures studies, establishing Critical Futures Studies as a distinct field10:
- Challenged positivist assumptions about predictable futures
- Introduced discourse analysis to reveal how futures are constructed through language
- Emphasized “futures always in the plural” - multiple legitimate perspectives
- Developed frameworks for decolonizing futures thinking
- Created space for non-Western epistemologies in futures work
Additional Methodological Innovations
- Six Pillars Framework: Comprehensive futures thinking approach combining mapping, anticipating, timing, deepening, creating alternatives, and transforming11
- Futures Triangle: Tool analyzing push of the present, pull of the future, and weight of history12
- Concept of “Used Futures”: Critique of uncritically adopting futures from other contexts11
- Macrohistory Applications: With Johan Galtung, developed civilizational analysis approaches13
Major Publications
Foundational Works
- “Questioning the Future: Methods and Tools for Organizational and Societal Transformation” (2002, 2005, 2007) - Core textbook integrating CLA, macrohistory, and practical futures methods14
- “Causal Layered Analysis: Theory and Practice” (editor, 2004) - Definitive collection establishing CLA as mainstream methodology15
- “Six Pillars: Futures Thinking for Transforming” (2008) - Comprehensive framework widely adopted in organizational settings11
Academic Output
- Over 400 scholarly publications across multiple languages16
- 20+ books authored or edited17
- Regular contributions to Journal of Futures Studies
- Recent works include CLA 2.0 (2015), Asia 2038 (2018), and UNESCO’s Transforming the Future (2018)18
Global Impact & Applications
Policy and Governmental Work
Recent consulting includes1:
- Government of Egypt (national manufacturing strategy)
- Government of Abu Dhabi (tourism strategy)
- Philippine Senate (national futures scenarios)
- UN agencies (ESCAP, Interpol)
- Australian government departments
Educational Transformation
- Transformed futures curricula globally through CLA integration19
- Online education via Metafuture School
- Regular workshops for UNESCO, OECD, World Bank20
- Influenced programs across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America
Recognition and Honors
- Laurel Award for all-time best futurist, Shaping Tomorrow Foresight Network (2010)8
- Honorary Doctorate, Universiti Sains Malaysia (2011)21
- Fellow, World Futures Studies Federation22
- Recognized as the foremost Asian futurist globally
Philosophical Influences
Inayatullah’s multicultural formation fundamentally shaped his pluralistic approach to futures thinking:
Key Influences
- P.R. Sarkar: Progressive Utilization Theory, spiral theory of history, spiritual-material integration7
- Sufi Philosophy: Inner transformation, interconnectedness, meaning-making8
- James Dator: Futures studies methodology, alternative futures (PhD supervisor at University of Hawaii)23
- Johan Galtung: Peace studies, structural violence, macrohistory13
- Poststructuralist Thinkers: Foucault, Derrida - discourse, power, deconstruction
Cultural Integration
His work bridges Eastern philosophical traditions (Sufi, South Asian) with Western academic frameworks, creating methodologies accessible across cultural contexts while critiquing Eurocentric dominance in futures thinking24.
Critical Perspectives & Debates
Academic Critiques
- Empiricists argue CLA is too subjective, lacking testable hypotheses
- Postmodernists critique hierarchical layers as imposing false structure
- Policy practitioners find complexity challenges rapid implementation25
Cultural Concerns
- Indigenous perspectives question whether methods still embed Western assumptions
- Global South scholars raise concerns about center-periphery dynamics
- Decolonial critics seek deeper integration of traditional knowledge systems24
Inayatullah’s Responses
He advocates flexible, dialogical use of methods while continuing to develop more inclusive, multi-civilizational approaches that address legitimate concerns while maintaining methodological depth.
Contemporary Significance
Current Research Directions
- Climate futures and sustainability transitions
- AI and technological disruption impacts
- Post-pandemic societal transformation
- Decolonial futures methodologies
- Integration of indigenous knowledge systems20
Ongoing Influence
- CLA now standard in futures education globally25
- Methods applied across sectors: health, education, security, urban planning
- Growing adoption in Global South contexts
- Mentoring next generation of futures scholars
Legacy Assessment
Sohail Inayatullah represents a paradigm shift in futures studies—from prediction to transformation, from singular to plural futures, from Western to global perspectives. His development of Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) provided futures studies with its first truly poststructuralist methodology, while his integration of Eastern philosophy, critical theory, and practical application created new possibilities for anticipatory governance26.
Key Contributions:
- Methodological: CLA as revolutionary analytical framework
- Epistemological: Legitimizing multiple ways of knowing futures
- Cultural: Decolonizing futures studies
- Educational: Transforming global futures curricula
- Practical: Bridging theory with organizational transformation
His legacy lies not just in specific methods, but in fundamentally reimagining futures studies as a space for civilizational dialogue, spiritual depth, and radical transformation—moving beyond forecasting to enable communities and organizations to create their own meaningful futures.
Chapter in my master’s thesis on his work: Images of the Future
| Related: Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) | Critical Futures Studies | CLA Game | Myth | Metaphor |
References
updated: 2025-09-07 —
Sohail Inayatullah
UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies and Developer of Causal Layered Analysis
Profile
Sohail Inayatullah (born 1958, Lahore, Pakistan)1 is arguably the most influential non-Western futures scholar of the past three decades, having fundamentally transformed futures studies through his development of Causal Layered Analysis (CLA)2 and his integration of poststructuralist, critical, and Eastern philosophical approaches into futures methodology. Currently serving as UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies at IIUM Malaysia and Professor at Tamkang University Taiwan3, his work bridges empirical foresight with deep cultural analysis, creating methodologies that have been adopted globally across academic, policy, and organizational contexts.
Current Positions
- UNESCO Chair in Futures Studies, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
- Professor, Graduate Institute of Futures Studies, Tamkang University, Taipei (since 2000)4
- Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Futures Studies5
- Founder, Metafuture.org think tank and consultancy6
Educational Background
- PhD in Political Science, University of Hawaii (focus on macrohistory and P.R. Sarkar’s philosophy)7
- Multicultural upbringing across Pakistan, USA, Switzerland, and Malaysia due to father’s UN employment8
Intellectual Contributions
Development of Causal Layered Analysis
Inayatullah’s signature contribution to futures studies is Causal Layered Analysis (CLA), created in the late 1990s2. This revolutionary methodology analyzes issues across four interconnected layers:
- Litany: Surface-level events, media headlines, quantitative trends
- Systems: Underlying social, economic, political structures
- Worldview/Discourse: Ideological frames, paradigms, ways of knowing
- Myth/Metaphor: Deep stories, collective unconscious, archetypal narratives
CLA enables practitioners to deconstruct present realities, identify hidden assumptions, and create transformative futures by addressing root metaphors and cultural narratives9.
Establishing Critical Futures Studies
Inayatullah pioneered the integration of poststructuralist theory into futures studies, establishing Critical Futures Studies as a distinct field10:
- Challenged positivist assumptions about predictable futures
- Introduced discourse analysis to reveal how futures are constructed through language
- Emphasized “futures always in the plural” - multiple legitimate perspectives
- Developed frameworks for decolonizing futures thinking
- Created space for non-Western epistemologies in futures work
Additional Methodological Innovations
- Six Pillars Framework: Comprehensive futures thinking approach combining mapping, anticipating, timing, deepening, creating alternatives, and transforming11
- Futures Triangle: Tool analyzing push of the present, pull of the future, and weight of history12
- Concept of “Used Futures”: Critique of uncritically adopting futures from other contexts11
- Macrohistory Applications: With Johan Galtung, developed civilizational analysis approaches13
Major Publications
Foundational Works
- “Questioning the Future: Methods and Tools for Organizational and Societal Transformation” (2002, 2005, 2007) - Core textbook integrating CLA, macrohistory, and practical futures methods14
- “Causal Layered Analysis: Theory and Practice” (editor, 2004) - Definitive collection establishing CLA as mainstream methodology15
- “Six Pillars: Futures Thinking for Transforming” (2008) - Comprehensive framework widely adopted in organizational settings11
Academic Output
- Over 400 scholarly publications across multiple languages16
- 20+ books authored or edited17
- Regular contributions to Journal of Futures Studies
- Recent works include CLA 2.0 (2015), Asia 2038 (2018), and UNESCO’s Transforming the Future (2018)18
Global Impact & Applications
Policy and Governmental Work
Recent consulting includes1:
- Government of Egypt (national manufacturing strategy)
- Government of Abu Dhabi (tourism strategy)
- Philippine Senate (national futures scenarios)
- UN agencies (ESCAP, Interpol)
- Australian government departments
Educational Transformation
- Transformed futures curricula globally through CLA integration19
- Online education via Metafuture School
- Regular workshops for UNESCO, OECD, World Bank20
- Influenced programs across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America
Recognition and Honors
- Laurel Award for all-time best futurist, Shaping Tomorrow Foresight Network (2010)8
- Honorary Doctorate, Universiti Sains Malaysia (2011)21
- Fellow, World Futures Studies Federation22
- Recognized as the foremost Asian futurist globally
Philosophical Influences
Inayatullah’s multicultural formation fundamentally shaped his pluralistic approach to futures thinking:
Key Influences
- P.R. Sarkar: Progressive Utilization Theory, spiral theory of history, spiritual-material integration7
- Sufi Philosophy: Inner transformation, interconnectedness, meaning-making8
- James Dator: Futures studies methodology, alternative futures (PhD supervisor at University of Hawaii)23
- Johan Galtung: Peace studies, structural violence, macrohistory13
- Poststructuralist Thinkers: Foucault, Derrida - discourse, power, deconstruction
Cultural Integration
His work bridges Eastern philosophical traditions (Sufi, South Asian) with Western academic frameworks, creating methodologies accessible across cultural contexts while critiquing Eurocentric dominance in futures thinking24.
Critical Perspectives & Debates
Academic Critiques
- Empiricists argue CLA is too subjective, lacking testable hypotheses
- Postmodernists critique hierarchical layers as imposing false structure
- Policy practitioners find complexity challenges rapid implementation25
Cultural Concerns
- Indigenous perspectives question whether methods still embed Western assumptions
- Global South scholars raise concerns about center-periphery dynamics
- Decolonial critics seek deeper integration of traditional knowledge systems24
Inayatullah’s Responses
He advocates flexible, dialogical use of methods while continuing to develop more inclusive, multi-civilizational approaches that address legitimate concerns while maintaining methodological depth.
Contemporary Significance
Current Research Directions
- Climate futures and sustainability transitions
- AI and technological disruption impacts
- Post-pandemic societal transformation
- Decolonial futures methodologies
- Integration of indigenous knowledge systems20
Ongoing Influence
- CLA now standard in futures education globally25
- Methods applied across sectors: health, education, security, urban planning
- Growing adoption in Global South contexts
- Mentoring next generation of futures scholars
Legacy Assessment
Sohail Inayatullah represents a paradigm shift in futures studies—from prediction to transformation, from singular to plural futures, from Western to global perspectives. His development of Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) provided futures studies with its first truly poststructuralist methodology, while his integration of Eastern philosophy, critical theory, and practical application created new possibilities for anticipatory governance26.
Key Contributions:
- Methodological: CLA as revolutionary analytical framework
- Epistemological: Legitimizing multiple ways of knowing futures
- Cultural: Decolonizing futures studies
- Educational: Transforming global futures curricula
- Practical: Bridging theory with organizational transformation
His legacy lies not just in specific methods, but in fundamentally reimagining futures studies as a space for civilizational dialogue, spiritual depth, and radical transformation—moving beyond forecasting to enable communities and organizations to create their own meaningful futures.
Chapter in my master’s thesis on his work: Images of the Future
| Related: Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) | Critical Futures Studies | CLA Game | Myth | Metaphor |
References
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Society of International Futures Studies (SOIF). “Sohail Inayatullah.” Speaker Profile. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Inayatullah, S. (1998). “Causal Layered Analysis: Poststructuralism as Method.” Futures, 30(8), 815–829. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Tamkang University. “Professor Sohail Inayatullah.” Graduate Institute of Futures Studies Faculty Profile. ↩ ↩2
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Tamkang University. “Graduate Institute of Futures Studies.” Faculty Directory. ↩ ↩2
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Journal of Futures Studies. “Editorial Board.” Editor-in-Chief listing. ↩ ↩2
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Metafuture.org. “About Us - Sohail Inayatullah.” ↩ ↩2
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Inayatullah, S. “Understanding Sarkar: The Indian Episteme, Macrohistory and Transformative Knowledge.” Brill Academic Publishers. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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London Speaker Bureau. “Sohail Inayatullah Profile.” ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
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Inayatullah, S. (2009). “Causal Layered Analysis: An Integrative and Transformative Theory and Method.” In Glenn, J. & Gordon, T. (eds.), Futures Research Methodology, Version 3.0, The Millennium Project. ISBN: 978-0-9818941-1-9. ↩ ↩2
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Inayatullah, S. (1990). “Deconstructing and Reconstructing the Future: Predictive, Cultural and Critical Epistemologies.” Futures, 22(2), 115-141. ↩ ↩2
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Inayatullah, S. (2008). “Six Pillars: Futures Thinking for Transforming.” Foresight, 10(1), 4-21. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6
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Inayatullah, S. (2023). “The Futures Triangle: Origins and Iterations.” SAGE Journals. ↩ ↩2
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Inayatullah, S. & Galtung, J. (1997). Macrohistory and Macrohistorians: Perspectives on Individual, Social, and Civilizational Change. Praeger Publishers. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Inayatullah, S. (2007). Questioning the Future: Methods and Tools for Organizational and Societal Transformation. Tamkang University Press, 3rd edition. ↩ ↩2
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Inayatullah, S. (ed.) (2004). The Causal Layered Analysis (CLA) Reader: Theory and Case Studies of an Integrative and Transformative Methodology. Tamkang University Press. ↩ ↩2
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Fast Future Publishing. “Sohail Inayatullah Author Profile.” Academic bibliography overview. ↩ ↩2
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Metafuture.org. “Publications List.” Complete bibliography. ↩ ↩2
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Inayatullah, S. (2018). Asia 2038: Ten Disruptions that Change Everything. Fast Future Publishing; Inayatullah, S. (2015). CLA 2.0: Transformative Research in Theory and Practice. Fast Future Publishing. ↩ ↩2
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UNESCO. “Transforming the Future: Anticipation in the 21st Century.” (2018). Educational transformation chapter. ↩ ↩2
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OECD. “Sohail Inayatullah: Futures Thinking and Strategy Transformation.” Workshop, October 17, 2024. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Universiti Sains Malaysia. “55th Convocation Ceremony.” Official records of 2011 honorary doctorate recipients. ↩ ↩2
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World Futures Studies Federation. “Fellows Directory.” Membership listing. ↩ ↩2
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Inayatullah, S. (2002). “Pedagogy, Culture and Futures Studies.” In J. Dator (Ed.), Advancing Futures: Futures Studies in Higher Education. Westport, CT: Praeger. ↩ ↩2
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Inayatullah, S. (2011). “Decolonizing Futures Studies.” World Future Review, 3(4), 45-52. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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SAGE Journals. “Causal Layered Analysis: Bibliometric Study (2000-2022).” Academic impact analysis and critical debates. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
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Inayatullah, S. (2013). “Futures Studies: Theory and Applications.” In Encyclopedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research. Springer. ↩ ↩2