Participation Unit

Putting participants at the heart of research

The Participation Unit uses participatory and deliberative research methods to help clients improve how they engage with their key audiences. We understand the importance of involving the public and other stakeholders in planning for the future in ways that are meaningful and constructive.

Unlike traditional research methodologies, which view participants as subjects for study, participatory and deliberative techniques see respondents as agents, actively involved in the research process. This shift in focus, incorporating the experiences and knowledge of the subjects, puts participants at the heart of the research. This benefits you in two ways:

• the research findings offer a more nuanced and more subtle way of seeing the world as it appears to participants.
• the approaches involved often enable the client and participants to have a dialogue they have never had previously, thus increasing their engagement with each other.

We are experienced in designing and running a wide range of research projects from small scale local workshops to large-scale national events. We pride ourselves on being able to solve our clients' problems in an exciting and creative way. Our approach is always tailored to clients' individual needs.

Our expertise in using research to engage participants rather than to just find out what people think is the main reason we have been commissioned to conduct research for a number of public bodies including government departments and agencies such as the Department of Health and the Cabinet Office, and for private bodies such as Accenture's Institute for Public Service Value.

We would be happy to discuss with you how a deliberative process could be used to meet your objectives.