Deliberation in a virtual parliament and online citizens’ assembly: challenges and opportunities

The Covid-19 lockdown has seen parliament conducting much of its business online, and Climate Assembly UK (commissioned by six parliamentary committees) also forced to hold its final weekend online. What has been lost as a result, and what lessons might be learned for future online deliberation? What do these developments teach us more broadly about the dynamics of political deliberation, including the role played by informal communication when face to face?

The speakers at this virtual seminar will be:

Baroness (Nicky) Morgan of Cotes, former Secretary of State for Education, and Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and former Chair of the Commons Treasury Committee

Greg Power, Founder and Board Chair of Global Partners Governance. Between 2001 and 2005 he was Special Adviser to successive Leaders of the House of Commons, Robin Cook and Peter Hain

Sarah Allan, Head of Engagement at Involve and project lead for Climate Assembly UK

Doreen Grove, Head of Open Government in the Scottish Government.

The seminar will be chaired by Professor Meg Russell, Director of the Constitution Unit.