PUBM-5910 : Engaging the Public in Policy

This course will explore the strategies commonly used to engage the intended targets of a new policy in policy-making and programmatic design both at the domestic and international levels. Topics include the 'why' and 'when' of participation within the policy process, participation design guidance, tools for engagement of participants, as well as key challenges of public participation such as representativeness and inclusion. Students will delve into the ethical issues inherent in balancing 'how much', 'when' and 'whose' participation is sought within a given context. At the end of the course, students will understand the ethical issues surrounding how public participation is carried out, and be able to effectively identify, discuss, and potentially mitigate them in designing future work.