With an increasing emphasis in Europe and beyond on citizen participation, democratic renewal and partnership working, opportunities for citizens as individuals and for citizen organisations to participate in the formulation and implementation of policy have mushroomed. But how far is power being shared or reconfigured? And who benefits from participation? Research to date suggests that the rhetoric does not always match up to reality while, even where there is a commitment to participation, new forms of governance pose new challenges for government bodies, for civil society, and for citizens. These include tensions between representative and participatory democracy; how to handle conflict and diversity; engaging marginalised groups; leadership, representation and accountability; how to avoid co-option.

There is a growing body of research looking at the theory and practice and in this work-in-progress seminar, we want to compare experience across Europe, exploring both the concepts and frameworks that are being used to analyse participation and the empirical evidence that is being amassed. We are approaching leading scholars in different parts of Europe to present an overview of research and their analysis of key concepts and findings. We are also inviting scholars to present research papers at the conference on the following themes:

• Frameworks for analysing citizen participation

• Empirical studies of participation

• Research on key dilemmas

• Evidence of impact

• Methodological and ethical challenges, e.g. in measurement; in adopting participatory approaches.

The seminar will provide an opportunity to bring together case studies from different parts of Europe and, in order to enhance comparability, we will be particularly interested in proposals which address:

• The institutional characteristics of participatory structures: how people are involved and at what level/stage in the policy process; who is involved and in what capacity (users, elected representatives, voluntary associations etc.)

• the assumptions and theories of change underpinning new mechanisms for participation;

• how mechanisms for participation fit with local political structures;

• intended and actual outcomes of participation.

If you wish to see the call for papers please se the related item below.