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    Expertise

    We combine expertise across evidence and public policy advisory to deliver enhanced value to our clients​

    We operate at the intersection of data, technology and citizen insight and our expertise extends across the entire public policy development cycle.​

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    About us

    Verian is a world leading, purpose-led and independent research, evidence, evaluation, and communications agency, providing services to government and the public realm. ​​

    We work with our clients to help solve the next generation of public policy challenges.​

    Centre for Democratic Engagement

    Verian’s Centre for Democratic Engagement enables decision makers to bring the citizen voice to the heart of policy making and public services. We support public and third sector bodies to increase public involvement in their decisions and activities.

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    Lucy Joyce

    Lucy Joyce

    Head of Policy & Implementation

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    Centres of excellence to support the UK’s mission-driven government

    The UK is facing challenges across several policy areas, including the future of our economy, public services, and use of new technologies as well as the climate emergency.

    Engaging the public in these decisions can enhance their success.

    Verian use our long heritage and expertise in public engagement to support the democratisation of policy design and delivery.

    Our public engagement toolbox includes:

    • deliberative workshops
    • citizen juries and assemblies
    • deliberative polling
    • online communities and panels
    • co-design and participatory exercises

    Drawing on our extensive experience of carrying out successful public engagement exercises in-person and online, we undertake work on a wide range of complex, contentious, and sensitive issues, such as new technologies, ethical issues, climate change, infrastructure, and social and health inequalities.

    Our probability panel, Public Voice, supports our qualitative offer and means we can validate and compliment findings from our workshops.

    Public Voice is a highly accurate digital capability proven to have an outstanding ability to predict behaviour as demonstrated by Verian at the 2024 UK General Election. Meanwhile our Integrated Public Engagement and Analysis (IPEA) methodology leverages this panel and offers a sophisticated, cost-efficient solution by taking a cyclical approach and combining probability-based surveying with structured deliberative engagement, enabling evidence-based policy development while fostering meaningful citizen participation.


    Why public engagement is important

    Involvement

    It enables organisations to involve the people who have a stake in and are impacted by policies.

    Diversity

    It brings a greater diversity of views and perspectives into policy and service design processes.

    Common ground

    It can identify acceptable solutions and common ground in areas where views have become polarised.

    Building trust

    Well timed, designed and run engagement activities can increase the legitimacy of decision-making and build trust in government, regulators and public bodies.

    Innovation

    Engagement activities can support innovation and help to ensure that policies are well received by stakeholders and the public.

    Ultimately the involvement of citizens in design and decision-making can deliver more relevant, effective and efficient policies, regulation, and services. It can also deliver other benefits such as growing empowerment and inclusion and helping citizens to feel more connected to government and their communities.  

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