How to design and organize a public deliberation project

1
How to design and organize a public deliberation
project

• Gy Larsen
• Ida-Elisabeth Andersen
• The Danish Board of Technology

2
How to design and organize a public deliberation
project

• Outline presentation
• What is a good topic?
• What purpose does the project have?
• 3. How to select an issue?
• 4. Who are going to be involved?
• 5. What kind of methodology is possible and/or
  necessary?

3
1. What is a good topic? examples

• New applications to gene technology new gene
  plants
• Toxicology and Nanotechnology
• Sustainable urban living
• Surveillance and privacy
• Energy system future development
• Brain Science new development and uses

4
2. The purpose of the projectProactive
Reactive TA

• upcoming technology
• regulation of technology
• dissemination and wider use of technology

5
Three dimensions of policy analysis
6
Cognitive Knowledge role examples

• Provide an overview of existing knowledge and new
  developments of the topic threats and
  possibilities
• Put light on the topic from different
  professional and value perspectives
• Take on board the insight, experience and
  credibility of citizens and provide a platform to
  voices, seldom heard in the public room

7
Normative Bridgebuilding role examples

• Create new fora for dialogue across professional
  and social groups
• Uncover and discuss norms and values
• Help actors reflect and communicate help
  dialogue and bridgebuilding
• Introduce new agenda, new visions

8
Pragmatic Policy making role examples

• Create legitimate and accepted solutions
• Produce recommendations for policy makers
• Propose new regulation legislation
• Propose new procedures - new orientations for
  managing etc.

9
3. How to select an issue

• Technological content
• Problem, conflict and need of decisions
• Essential for many people or for a segment
• Topical timing
• Target group
• The organisation must have a role to play

10
(No Transcript)
11
4. Who should be involved?

• Is new knowledge and solutions needed?
• Do we know too little about public opinion?
• Is it time for new agenda setting?
• Is a conflict in society dealing with the issue?
• Do politicians need an advice?
• Or?

12
Considerations

• An expert group process
• Stakeholder involvement
• Citizen consultation
• Involving politicians
• Or?

13
Politicians
Stake-holders
Citizens
Experts
14
Laypeople

• Lack of knowledge a vessel to be filled with
  expert information
• ? No, laypeople do have knowledge and engagement
  in society
• Laypeople have their own, valuable perspective on
  science and technology

15
Goals when involving citizens

• Proactive discussions on upstream technologies
• Consultation on how to use technology
• Debate resistance in society against technology
• To involve the involved

16
Recruit and select participants
Principle Benefits Costs
Repre-sentativity Sample represents population (demogr. attitudes) Is accepted Can be compared with other studies or elections Very big group very expensive Difficult to handle
Mixed Example Consensus Conference Define criteria compose a group Variety, broad group all kinds of people Any size you want Possible to cheat
Balanced Example Scenario Workshop Equal representation of involved interests Pol. relevant debate Room for views which use to be marginalized or out Positions have to be defined/accepted risks of hidden agreements social partnering
17
5. What kind of methodology?
Participation Type Role of participant Role projectlead Method example
Survey/ interviews Source of information Researcher Choice questionnaire
Deliberative survey Evaluator voice Organizer/analyst Focus groups, deliberative poll
Constructive dialogue Stake holder Organizer, mediator Future search/Scenario Workshop
Public consultation Advisor, consultant Organizer Consensus Conference
18
Roles of participation in TA
Raising Knowledge Forming Attitudes Initialising Action
Tech/ Science Aspects Scientific Assessment (options,con-sequences) Agenda setting (influence and stimulate public debate, Introduce visions etc.) Reframing of debate (propose new initiatives find new orientation)
Social Aspects Social Mapping (stake holders, conflicts) Mediation (help actors reflect and communicate bridge building) Propose new decision making processes (new ways of governance new debate)
Policy aspects Policy analysis (explore objectives, assess policies) Restructure policy debate Decisions about Pol innovations New legislation
19
Be aware of pitfalls

• Do not underestimate citizens or other
  participants
• Hidden conflicts
• Too narrow and unreflected use of methods
• Method not suitable for local problems
• Dont forget to involve some important
  actors/stakeholders
• It is a mistake to avoid critical voices