In the last decade or so, studies into deliberation and the internet have grown in quantity, with interest in the potential this might hold to address some of the limitations of face to face approaches, not least issues of scale, cost and inclusion.
Much of this work has been based on internet discussion forums and the use of videoconferencing as a mode for online deliberation had, until 12 months ago at least, remained largely unexplored.
In the context of the covid-19 pandemic, finding ways to maintain deliberative processes whilst socially distant has accelerated; but not with a great deal of detailed methodological scrutiny.
This webinar will explore some of the benefits and limitations of taking deliberations online and the recent received best practice in the practical aspects of what enables or constrains people’s participation.
It will also sketch out some of the areas that would benefit from further methodological development including the extent to which online approaches can demonstrate that effective conditions for deliberation can be achieved this way.
Recent projects will be drawn on to illustrate these considerations, including our seminal ESRC funded Future of Britain research.
This work has used Deliberative Polling with over 380 members of the public to explore what they want to see happen post-Brexit in a number of policy areas hitherto subject to EU regulation.
This event is part of the City, University of London, European Social Survey and NatCen Social Research Survey Methodology Seminar Series.
About the speaker
Ceri Davies is the Director of NatCen’s Centre for Deliberative Research where she designs and leads a range of projects focused on public attitudes and policy making in the context of democratic innovation.
She has a background in academia and civil society and prior to joining NatCen led the University of Brighton’s Community Knowledge Exchange (2008-2018).
Attendance at City events is subject to our terms and conditions.