Abstract
This chapter discusses the role of visions, expectations and socio-technical imaginaries in shaping sustainability transitions. The imagination of futures differing from current socio-technical regimes is essential for the legitimization and mobilization of radically different niche technologies and wider system change. More recently, discussions on mission-oriented and transformative innovation policies have emphasized processes of envisioning and the formation of collective expectations for defining, operationalising and implementing long-term visions and goals in such missions. The chapter gives an introduction to the historic development of concepts of visions, expectations and imaginaries within different strands of sustainability transition studies such as transition management, strategic niche management or technological innovation system approaches. A range of anticipatory practices and techniques of exploring and shaping transition dynamics are presented and comparatively analysed. 'Futuring methods' such as scenario development, technology foresight and roadmapping, or modelling are not just neutral tools, but also exercise 'world-making' power by defining political problems and devising solutions. The chapter concludes by illustrating the subtle force of visions, expectations and imaginaries in the historic ups and downs of hydrogen futures and by pointing out a number of current strands in the research, practice and critical analysis of these phenomena.
