Taking deliberative research online: Lessons from four case studies

Researchers using deliberative techniques tend to favour in-person processes. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has added urgency question of whether meaningful research is possible in an online setting. This paper considers reasons for taking deliberation online, including bringing people together more easily; convening international events; and reducing environmental impact research. It reports on four case studies: a set stakeholder workshops considering greenhouse gas removal technologies, convened 2019, investigating local climate strategies; as well two processes which moved due COVID-19: Climate Assembly UK, Citizens’ change, Lancaster Jury Change. sets out learnings from these processes, concluding that substantively different meetings, but can meet requirements research, be rewarding useful process participants researchers alike.