Leading D&D-Related Research Institutions
Canadian Policy Research Networks
CPRN creates knowledge and leads public debate on social and economic issues important to the well-being of Canadians. The birth of CPRN's Public Involvement Network (PIN) in 2002 reflects the growing conviction in policy circles that effective public policy requires effective public engagement. The new network builds on CPRN's acknowledged experience in the field and signals their determination to strengthen their citizen engagement activities. PIN aims is to bring citizens' voices into social policy research and public policy making by engaging the public in such activities. They also seek to build support and capacity for public involvement among public policy-makers and practitioners and add knowledge to this field by undertaking original research.
The Center for Deliberative Democracy
Housed in the Department of Communication at Stanford University and established in 2003, the Center for Deliberative Democracy is devoted to research about democracy and public opinion obtained through Deliberative Polling. Developed by Professor James S. Fishkin, Deliberative Polling is a technique which combines deliberation in small group discussions with scientific random sampling to provide public consultation for public policy and for electoral issues.
The Center for Deliberative Polling
Housed in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin, The Center for Deliberative Polling - like Stanford's Center for Deliberative Democracy - is devoted to research about democracy and public opinion obtained through Deliberative Polling.
www.la.utexas.edu/research/delpol/
The Co-Intelligence Institute
The Co-Intelligence Institute develops theory about the underlying dynamics of dialogue and deliberation, the diverse uses for which various approaches are appropriate, and the elements of and rationale for a "culture of dialogue." Their central research question is how to increase the collective intelligence and wisdom of groups, communities, nations and the global community to address common problems and opportunities -- and the role of dialogue and deliberation in developing that capacity. A number of key research papers are listed at "Community Resources from the Co-Intelligence Institute".
The Democracy Collaborative
The Democracy Collaborative at the University of Maryland undertakes integrated activities aimed at leveraging the resources of higher education institutions in support of democratic renewal, civic participation, and community building. The Collaborative's website is packed with resources, including information about "the engaged university" program, research projects on civic engagement and community building and reports on recent and upcoming Collaborative conferences and events.
www.democracycollaborative.org
The Democracy Design Workshop
The Democracy Design Workshop is a laboratory dedicated to fostering innovation in support of participatory and deliberative democratic practice. The Workshop aims to be a meetinghouse for thinkers and practitioners who, through research, dialogue and design, explore how to use technology to strengthen democracy online and off. Supported by the Information Society Project of the Yale Law School and by New York Law School, the Workshop draws upon the best current thinking - and thinkers - in law and policy, ethics and philosophy, communications and media, business and organizational theory, science and technology, and the arts. All of these disciplines are essential to building and strengthening the social practices of democracy and the deliberative structures upon which they depend.
www.nyls.edu/democracyhome.php
Harwood Institute
The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation invigorates people, organizations and communities to improve public life and politics so that we all can do the unfinished work of the nation and reach for our common ideals. The Harwood Institute conducts research, designs and leads on-the-ground initiatives, develops public leaders and ?center for strength organizations,? crafts innovative tools, materials and processes, and convenes people who want to take responsibility for public life.
Kettering Foundation
The central question behind the foundation's research is currently this: What does it take to make democracy work as it should? The Kettering Foundation produces low-cost publications of interest to dialogue leaders. A few examples are: Making Choices Together: The Power of Public Deliberation; Community Leadership: Community Change through Public Action; and How the Community Works: Officeholder Perspectives on Democratic Self-Government and the Community. The Kettering Foundation spawned the National Issues Forum.
Loka Institute
Founded in 1987, the Loka Institute is a non-profit research and advocacy organization concerned with the social, political, and environmental repercussions of science and technology. Loka works to make science and technology more responsive to social and environmental concerns by expanding opportunities for grassroots, public-interest group, everyday citizen, and worker involvement in vital facets of science and technology decision making.
Public Agenda
Founded in 1975 by social scientist Daniel Yankelovich and former Secretary of State Cyrus Vance, Public Agenda pursues a two-part mission. Drawing on its own research, Public Agenda prepares educational materials that help explain policy to the public in a balanced and easily understood way. Citizens use this information to weigh various choices and make educated decisions. Public Agenda has addressed such issues as school and health care reform, national security, AIDS, crime, economic competitiveness and the environment.
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