You’ll be introduced to a wide range of public engagement methods — from well-known practices to more structured approaches like Deliberative Dialogue, Appreciative Inquiry, and Open Space Technology. But more than that, you’ll learn how to design and apply them well, using tools, templates, and checklists you can bring into your own work.
You’ll also explore how to build trust with key messages, how to manage data and evaluation, and how to make sure your design reflects the needs of diverse audiences — not just the easiest ones to reach. This course is ideal for practitioners who are part of a team delivering engagement and want to feel more confident, more creative, and more grounded in method design. Because engagement isn’t just about technique. It’s about creating moments where people feel seen, heard, and ready to act.
Who should take this course?
- Practitioners with some public participation and engagement practice experience who are looking to cement their knowledge and skills
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, participants will be able to: - Identify a range of methods that can be used for various engagement purposes and processes, and strategies to select the most appropriate method/s for an engagement project/process.
- Research, design and test a F2F and/or online method using a range of tools and resources.
- Apply the four steps of designing a method incorporating the eight key components of method design.
- Develop rational and experiential aims.
- Design an appropriate format.
- Design questions and process.
- Develop appropriate communications.
- Combine methods to achieve engagement goals and objectives and test for appropriate sequencing.
- Incorporate inclusion and diversity principles
- Identify data management needs, evaluation points and measures.
- Identify resources required.
- Explore a variety of both F2F and online methods/techniques that are more structured and have nested methods within them (e.g., Deliberative Processes, Appreciative Inquiry and Open Space Technology).
- Analyze the specific requirements for online and digital methods, identify and select appropriate platforms and tools to meet needs and strategise to develop these methods for delivery.
- Identify principles for monitoring online activity.
- Test the design by running elements of the method and submitting to peer review using a checklist.
- Apply methods to achieve engagement goals and objectives, including using effective communication skills, and test for appropriate sequencing.
- Design key messages and communication tools that build trust and integrity, and meet the needs of diverse audiences.
