public engagement

We help to design and facilitate processes which engage people in deliberative democracy. Public engagement in making the decisions which affect them can enrich policymaking by bringing in a diversity of citizen and stakeholder views. This is increasingly important as decision makers face ever more complex decisions about how to trade-off the benefits and economic, environmental, health, privacy, and ethical risks of policy choices. By placing the experience of those affected at the centre of deliberations, we help clients to hear from an informed and inclusive range of voices. Well-designed processes give those involved greater influence over the decisions that affect them and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of delivery.

Case Studies

Citizen’s Council

We worked with RSA to design and facilitate the Citizens’ Economic Council – a long form deliberative process which empowered a group of about 60 citizens to build their understanding of how the UK and global economy works, how it could work better for everyone and express their views on a set of complex economic questions.

“Anna brought a critical and analytical mind, as well as much needed economic expertise to the public deliberation. The result was a well-structured and designed process that empowered citizens to express their views on a set of complex economic questions and influenced the Bank of England’s public engagement strategy”. RSA

Public Dialogue

We worked with Defra, Hull Council and Groundwork to carry out a deliberative dialogue involving residents of a flood-prone part of Hull to develop a range of options for Paying for Ecosystem Services (PES) to manage greenspace and waterways to reduce risks and provide recreational, biodiversity and climate benefits. The process helped all those involved understand flood risks and develop a range of responses for managing risks more cost effectively and with many wider community benefits.

Workshops

We worked with Royal Society to design and deliver a stakeholder consultation process, including an online survey and a deliberative workshop which brought academics, environmental NGOs, and policy makers to identify the most pressing environmental, social and economic issues around soils. The outcomes fed into Royal Society’s soils report and aims to shape the national research agenda on soils.

public engagement

Evaluation & Learning