Building participatory infrastructure for a people-led future

This talk will introduce the participatory mechanisms that are gaining traction around the world from governing through Citizens Assemblies to designing through community-led ventures, as well as the opportunities digital technologies have to transform our democracy and ways of organising. From this, we’ll explore what a people-led future could look like, with a strategic framework to advance participatory practice for the benefit of people and planet.

Oli Whittington leads on strategic and participatory design at Shift Design. His work combines participatory, research and design practices to tackle systemic challenges through community-led innovations. This involves facilitating research and design activities carried out with and by the communities that are impacted. Oli’s experience has centred on shifting power and agency over the design of public spaces, services and policy to the communities they intend to serve. This has included leading democratic innovation research in Nesta where he was exploring how institutions can utilise new forms of participation and deliberation to drive public decision-making. Prior to that, Oli was a strategic design lead in the Arup Studio where his work focused on amplifying the voices of communities in the design of the built environment.

Accessibility

An access guide to Room B34, Birkbeck can be found on AccessAble.

About this event series

Deliberative democracy: Rethinking democracy for 21st century prosperity

This Director’s Seminars and Soundbites series provides a thought-provoking exploration of the contemporary discussions surrounding deliberative democracy's structure and form, as well as the possibilities for renewing democracy. It aims to stimulate critical thinking and foster open dialogues regarding the challenges confronting us.

Soundbites are a platform for professionals and entrepreneurs who are leading in their field. Speakers are innovators and inspiring actors working in new and traditional sectors, outside of academia. The Soundbite gives the audience an insight into how their organisation contributes to sustainable and inclusive prosperity.

For more events in this series visit the series page ►