Participation Unit

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.

We are experienced in designing and running a wide range of bespoke research projects from small-scale local workshops to large-scale national and international events.

We've carried out this research for a number of public bodies. These include government departments and agencies such as the Department of Health, the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Cabinet Office, and for private bodies such as Accenture's Institute for Public Service Value.

Ipsos MORI's Take

Participative research is no better or worse than traditional research - it is different.

It aims to arrive at shared solutions and to empower participants.

What Are We Doing?

In addition to undertaking specific projects for clients such as the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Home Office, Transport for London, the English Secondary Schools Association, Harcourt publishing and various Local Authorities, the Participation Unit also leads thinking on the subject of participative research.

Partcipation Unit Techniques

Unlike traditional research methodologies, which view participants as "subjects" for study, participatory techniques see respondents more as agents actively involved in the research process. This shift in focus, incorporating the experiences and knowledge of the subjects of research, offers a more nuanced and subtle way of seeing the world as it appears to respondents.

Contact Us

Sarah Castell
Research Director
Email

Anna Pierce
Associate Director
Email

Latest Thinking

Our report, Activating Empowerment: Empowering Britain from the bottom up, done jointly with Involve, aims to understand the main theories of citizen empowerment and what this means for local authorities at the practical level of developing, improving and implementing effective community engagement strategies.