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SHORT COURSE

Public Engagement in Decision-Making

$ 1,398.00

START DATE

26 February

MODE

On Campus (Sydney)

DURATION

2 days

COMMITMENT

16 hrs

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Meet the Expert

Edwina Deakin

Edwina Deakin
Associate Director, Research and Advisory at the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance

Edwina Deakin is currently an Associate Director, Research and Advisory at the UTS Institute for Public Policy and Governance. She is the Project Manager and a lead author of the new IPPG Community Engagement for Impact Guide.

Edwina has been involved in commissioning, designing and delivering community engagement activities for over 25 years - as a NSW government policy director, social policy consultant and community engagement trainer. Edwina has worked with a wide range of organisations - undertaking over 30 major consultation projects: including various state-wide and local government area engagement activities. Edwina holds BA Honours degree, a Masters in Communications, Graduate Diploma in Education, and a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

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The expectation that people can participate in public decision-making that impacts their lives is embedded in modern democratic theory. This course looks at good practice in public engagement and community participation in decision making, reflecting current regulatory contexts in Australia, as well as contemporary and emerging methods for stakeholder involvement.

About this course

The premise of the course is that there is no single engagement method, set of tools or techniques that will guarantee positive outcomes. Each engagement needs to first and foremost reflect its purpose, and also the circumstances, diversity of stakeholders, complexity of needs, resourcing and time constraints, plus other key variables and risks. To this end, the course will provide a model for project managing public engagements, founded on having a clear purpose, systematically working through tailored stages and steps, leading towards a defined set of outcomes that are relevant to the specific decision-makers.

The course introduces participants to key theories, concepts and approaches to community engagement and stakeholder consultations, within a wider policy making context. It considers the benefits of appropriately involving people in public decision-making, and explores different types of methodologies for ensuring fit-for-purpose engagements. It also discusses key principles and contemporary practices for undertaking effective face-to-face engagements, as well as ways to communicate the outcomes in ways that will be impactful to decision makers. 

Course outline

The following topics will be covered in this public engagement course:

Module 1:  Introduction to Public Engagement and Community Consultations  

  • Defining terms and principles of good practice
  • Origins and theory; regulations, policy and development
  • Common engagement options and consultation tools
  • Common barriers and mitigations to quality engagements and measuring success

Module 2: Design and Delivery of Public Engagements

  • Staged approach to public engagements
  • Case study: Defining your engagement purpose and designing your methodology and approach
  • Interpersonal engagements: techniques for getting results
  • Writing for impact: how to influence decision makers.

With public engagement a requirement in various public policy and other projects - why not utilise its abilities to positively impact your work? Learn what public engagement is, when to use it, and its risks and benefits.   

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this public engagement course you should be able to:

  • Acquire knowledge, understanding and skills in the design, planning and execution of public engagement programs and techniques relevant to specific public policy or decision-making environments
  • Critically reflect and develop new ideas in relation to the challenges and opportunities in undertaking public engagements, considering a wide variety of factors that exist within diverse communities, public agencies, and other policy and environmental settings
  • Effectively engage and communicate with stakeholders and with decision makers to ensure the outcomes of consultative processes have impact.  

 

Digital badge and certificate

A digital badge and certificate will be awarded following the successful completion of any necessary tasks or assessments to demonstrate acquired learning of the short course or for meeting attendance and/or participation requirements.

Learn more about UTS Open digital badges.

In-house training solutions

This course can also be customised and/or delivered in-house. Find out more.

Enrolment conditions

Course purchase is subject to UTS Open Terms and Conditions. 

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for policy and program staff and other professionals whose work intersects with public engagement and public policy processes.  

Book a session

Wed 26 Feb 2025-
Thu 27 Feb 2025
Expert: Edwina Deakin
  • UTS – Venue TBC
  • On Campus (Sydney)
  • 2 sessions, 16 hours total

Enrolments close 9am, Wednesday 26 February 2025 AEDT or when all places have been filled, whichever occurs first. 

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.

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