Citizen’s Jury evaluation

Residents’ Panels (also known as Citizens’ Juries) were organised by Camden Council to develop a Data Charter, and a year later to assess the usability and application of that Charter. A Residents’ Panel is a way of engaging with residents that is used typically by statutory agencies to identify local priorities and consult on specific issues. The aim usually is to be representative of the population and to engage the same group of people in a rolling programme of research and consultation.

It comprised a group of around 20 people from all walks of life, brought together to have an honest conversation and find common ground. Those involved reflect the wider population in terms of demographics an relevant attitudes. They are particularly effective on value-laden and controversial questions, where knowledge is contested and there might be important ethical and social repercussions.

We worked with Camden Council as evaluator for the two Panel processes, in 2022 and 2023. Applying an iterative, formative approach we were involved in baselining expectations, observing and debriefing Panel sessions to provide real time feedback, collecting participant feedback, and assessing overall impact.