The Government is making positive steps towards directcitizen engagement with policy-making, but careful reflection on participation techniques is needed

For just under a decade, a significant experiment in citizen participation in government has been taking place in the shape of Sciencewise. In recent years, the agency has not only survived a change of Government, but – according to Helen Pallett - has increased its impact on policy. But though there are encouraging signs, more needs to be done if the Government is serious about participation.