History Students Explore Future-Oriented Perspectives with UNESCO Chair Dr. Vicky Karaiskou

In November 2025, the Anatolia University's HIST 120 class - The Modern World - was honored to host a compelling Futures Literacy guest lecture delivered by Dr. Vicky Karaiskou, UNESCO Chair on Visual Anticipation and Futures Literacy towards Visual Literacy at the Open University of Cyprus.

Dr. Karaiskou's pioneering work centers on leveraging cultural visuals to explore how they shape thought patterns, influencing our understanding of the past, present, and future. Her focus is on empowering individuals and fostering critical societal values, including inclusion, transcultural empathy, and solidarity.

The engaging lecture invited students to move beyond traditional historical analysis. By introducing the concept of Futures Literacy, Dr. Karaiskou encouraged students to critically examine their existing assumptions about the future and employ future-oriented perspectives as a means of enriching their historical thinking. This dynamic session provided a valuable opportunity for students to develop their anticipatory capacities, a skill set increasingly vital for navigating and shaping an uncertain world. Anatolia University is committed to integrating such innovative, interdisciplinary perspectives into its curriculum, preparing students for leadership in a global context.