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Good practice guides

This page provides links to guidelines on good practice for organising and running dialogue events that we recommend as resources for event organisers:

EXCITE UK

Debates with a Difference

Debates with a difference is a dialogue format set up by Excite UK to engage 12-15 year old school pupils in informing debate on the issues surrounding scientific topic such as nanotechnology. Such debates give students the opportunity to find out about and discuss the topic through a structured programme held in a welcoming not-school environment. For further information, visit www.ecsite-uk.net/projects

DEMOS: Pamphlet

See-through Science – why public engagement needs to move upstream

By James Wilsdon and Rebecca Willis, 2004

This report looks at new ways of engaging the public in debate about science and society and using diverse public knowledge and opinion in decision making processes. As well as asking academic questions, the report offers practical guidance for anyone who is trying to make public engagement through dialogue work.

The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology: POST Notes

Open Channels: Public dialogue in science and technology

March 2001

This is a summary of a larger report called ‘Open Channels’ produced by POST in 2001. It provides a good overview of the reasons for public dialogue and guidance on making sure that dialogue is effective.

Public dialogue on Science & Technology

November 2002

This more extensive POST Note contains information on public attitudes towards science and case studies of public consultations on radioactive waste and genetic modification. It provides information on common issues that are raised in public dialogue and advice on the values and limitations of dialogue, as well as good practice guidelines for effective planning and evaluating the impact of dialogue events.

Research Councils UK: Study & Report

Dialogue with the public: Practical guidelines

August 2002

This report sets out to give practical guidelines for dialogue with the public and was produced in response to the House of Lords ‘Science and Society’ report. It is intended primarily for those new to communicating science or using a dialogue approach, although the guidelines and checklists in each chapter could be useful for more experienced practitioners too.

Science and Public Policy: Article

Public participation in science and technology policy - and decision-making - ephemeral phenomenon or lasting change?

By Simon Joss, October 1999, vol. 26, no. 5, p290-293.

This article offers an introduction and broad overview of different theoretical and practical perspectives on public participation. Although an academic publication, it may provide some useful background knowledge for event organisers. (The full article is only available online to subscribers or for a fee)

International Association for Public Participation

Public Participation Toolkit

This toolkit provides summary information on a variety of public participation techniques such as passive and active public information techniques, small and large group public input and problem-solving techniques. It includes information on checkpoints and things that can go right and wrong, and gives ideas for different types of dialogue events.