Political disengagement is rising in the UK, with declining turnout, eroding trust and growing polarisation. Some groups, particularly young people and the economically disadvantaged, are especially disengaged. But is that down to a lack of interest or a lack of power and voice? Research suggests some people may actively chose not to engage due to a lack of trust in politics, institutions, and those in power.
Reaching disengaged groups is essential for a healthy civic society – it allows for better policymaking and a healthier and more representative democracy. It also raises important questions about how we define and understand political engagement: does choosing not to vote, but taking part in a street protest or online campaign, still count as disengagement? To increase engagement, we first need to engage with those groups to get their feedback on the key issues and barriers to their participation. So how do we do that?
This toolkit provides practical insights for policymakers and campaigners on methods to engage disengaged groups, drawing on recent Open University projects. It aims to give you and your organisation new insights into the barriers for democratic participation, and ways to engage the disengaged in making change.
Who is this toolkit for?
Policymakers can gain practical insights into barriers to citizen engagement to inform more inclusive and effective policies, based on a range of current OU projects.
Campaigning groups and civil society organisations can use practical strategies from current OU projects to better connect with disengaged communities and drive impactful change.
Researchers can explore concepts and methods to understand and address barriers to political engagement among disengaged groups.
Read and download it below:
And let us know what you think.
Complete this quick feedback survey, if you’ve time. Comments, thoughts and ideas all most welcome: https://forms.office.com/e/bYwmfff7C6
Dan and Donna
Dan Taylor 