1. Public Engagement
Methods and Tools
ale.okada@open.ac.uk
Alexandra Okada
marinocad@gmail.com
Alexandre Marino Costa
raquel.pasternak@pucpr.br
Raquel Kowalski

2. The Intake (a structured conversation) of a
Question from a CSO transfers it into a
Research Question. It articulates the ‘question
behind the question’ (the real problem), the
objective and gives clarity on required timing
and information already available.
Description
“From Question of
a CSO to a
Research
Question”
Project definition
Through this initial phase, research is set-up
that is feasible and useful and trust is created
among partners.
Objective
Results

3. The making of Resource Flow Maps allows
researchers to gain insight into farming systems
by letting the farmers themselves draw a map of
the resource flows. By using units of
measurement that they understand, farmers can
better understand the quantities. It is a form of
participatory action research which has been
applied for decades in the agricultural sector in
developing countries.
Description
Resource Flow
Map (RFM)
• Project definition
• Research activity
By creating these maps, it is possible to
visualize what the current state of the farming
system is and how improvements can be
identified. After the improvements are
implemented, comparison between the past and
current state are clearer.
Objective
Results

4. In this method, stakeholders, consumers,
NGO’s and citizens define what the crucial
characteristics of a sustainable production-
consumption system are and then together
design a production system that meets all these
demands.
Description
Reflexive
Interactive Design
• Programme development;
• Project definition;
• Research activity
The method creates innovative designs for
production systems; the next step could be to
experiment with the implementation of this new
production system.
Objective
Results

5. The Participatory Strategic Planning process is
a consensus-building method that helps
communities come together and explain how
they envision the development of their
organization/ community in the next few years.
Description
Participatory
Strategic Planning
• Policy formulation
• Programme development
• Project definition
Among the various applications , we can highlight:
• A strategic document specifying
organizational/community goals and an
implementation plan on how to achieve these
goals;
• Recommendation report about the
organizational/community visions;
• Promotion of consent in the respective
organization/community;
• Promote organizational/community change.
Objective
Results

6. Participatory design can be done together with
citizens concerned about a certain issue (e.g.
the environment). The starting point is
consultation with individuals and community
organizations.
Description
Participatory
Design
• Project definition
• Research activity
There seems to be no evaluation report of the
impact of the example project. The example
project ECDC led to a device called the Energy
Babble, which is “something like an internet radio
appliance, designed for domestic and public
spaces and dedicated to the topic of energy
demand reduction. The devices are networked,
drawing content from online sources and allowing
responses using a built-in microphone.
Objective
Results

7. The method is based on the principles of
passion, responsibility and commitment, bearing
in mind the assumption that the most productive
way to work is to work on a topic for which one
cares.
Description
Open Space
Technology
• Policy formulation;
• Programme development;
• Project definition;
• Research activity
Recommendation for research strategies
Knowledge dissemination of the project and
information translation between stakeholder
groups.
Objective
Results

8. An e-conference is a temporary online forum on
a specific topic
DescriptionE-conference
• Project definition.
• Better understanding of the discussed topic;
• Networking;
• Final synthesis document which discusses and
summarizes the major themes and findings of
the conference discussion.
Objective
Results

9. Distributed dialogue is an approach to public
engagement that aims to develop ongoing,
embedded discussions around a topic; parts of
the engagement are often self-organized by
groups of participants.
Description
Distributed
Dialogue
• Policy formulation
Among the various applications , we can highlight :
• A distributed dialogue can lead to decision
making that is informed by a range of
perspectives and policies that therefore better
meets the needs of ordinary citizens;
• A distributed dialogue could potentially
contribute to strengthening and improving
representative democracy.
Objective
Results

10. Deliberative Polling ®, developed by James
Fishkin, is a method which combines
deliberation in small group discussions with
scientific random sampling to provide public
consultation for public policy and for electoral
issues.
Description
Deliberative Poll
• Policy formulation
Taped and edited accounts of the small group
discussions provide an opportunity for the public to
reframe the issues in terms that connect with
ordinary people.
Objective
Results

11. Web-based discussions in online forums
between informed individuals about issues
which concern them, leading to some form of
consensus and collective decision.
Description
Deliberative online
forum
• Project definition
Among the various applications , we can highlight :
• Policy document;
• Public opinion surveys;
• Agenda setting proposal.
Objective
Results

12. Deliberative Workshops refer to dialogue events
where the focus is on having in-depth informed
discussions on a complex or controversial
issues to gather social intelligence to inform
policy, anticipate regulation, exchange opinion
or raise awareness.
Description
Deliberative (Mini-
publics)
Workshops
• Policy formulation
• Programme development
Among the various applications , we can highlight:
• Understand how people’s views about a
controversial scientific research or policy can
change as they are given new information or
deliberate an issue.
Objective
Results

13. The community is involved in all stages of the
research process, from setting the questions, to
framing and doing the research, interpreting the
results and communication.
Description
Community-Based
(Participatory)
Research
• Programme development
• Project definition
• Research activity
New knowledge is co-created that can improve the
situation of communities.
Objective
Results

14. Action research is the practice of embedding
research in society by democratizing knowledge
making and grounding it in real community
needs.
Description
Action Research
• Political empowerment of people.
The final objective of the action research process
goes beyond the production of scientific advice on
addressing a particular challenge. It also includes
the learning process itself, which includes a
change in the abilities of participants to articulate
the problem and to act in the best interests of the
community involved.
Objective
Results

15. References
The Engage2020 Consortium (2014) http://engage2020.eu/media/D3-2-Public-Engagement-Methods-and-Tools-3.pdf.
Okada A. (2016) Responsible research and innovation in science education report. Milton Keynes: The Open University –
UK. ISBN 9781473020191.
Okada A. & Bayram-Jacobs D.(2016) Opportunities and challenges for equipping the next generation for responsible
citizenship through the ENGAGE HUB. International Conference on Responsible Research in Education and Management and
its Impact. London 2016.
Okada, A., Wolff, A., Mikroyannidis, A. and Ashton, S. (2015) Promoting partnerships among Universities, Schools and
Research Centres to foster Responsible Research and Innovation for smart citizenship, Proceedings of the 15th
International Conference on Technology, Policy and Innovation.

16. ENGAGE CONSORTIUM

17. Engaging.Science.eu
Contacts: Tony Sherborne (Project Coordinator)
tonysherborne@gmail.com
Andy Bullough (Project Manager)
andybullough@upd8.org.uk
Alexandra Okada(RRI Legacy Lead)
ale.okada@open.ac.uk
Yael Shwartz (RRI framework)
yaelshwartz@upd8.org.uk
Kathy Kikis-Papadaski (RRI CPD Programme)
katerina@iacm.forth.gr
Matteo Merzagora (RRI Informal Learning)
matteomerzagora@upd8.org.uk