Blogs - Hansard Society

Welcome

The Hansard Society is made up of five programmes that inform decision makers and engage the public by:

Providing a platform for debate on the reform of Parliament;
Pushing the boundaries of technology and its public engagement potential;
Creating free resources to help citizenship teachers present the curriculum in an innovative way;
Bringing students from across the globe to study the British political system.

Connecting young people with democracy

Exploring the social and political impacts of technology

Rebuilding engagement requires motivation, access and trust

The Governance of Britain review is about "renewing the relationships that we have with each other as citizens and with the Government". This necessarily involves consideration of the mechanisms of citizen engagement and it is hard to imagine anyone brave enough to argue that these are currently in a health state. If the challenge is to engage (or re-engage) the democratically distant and disinterested then we must consider the nature of engagement and, as this article argues, issues of individual motivation to get involved, trust at a civic level and barriers to effective access.
Third Digital Dialogues report released
Since when did eGovernment need the Royal Mail?
Overcoming the ostrich approach to broadband
Could eDemocracy make the democratic deficit worse?

Monitoring devolution and its effect on Scotland

Become a Hansard Society Scotland Research Scholar!

The Hansard Society/ University of Edinburgh Research Scholars Programme offers an outstanding opportunity for postgraduate students and professionals to develop applied knowledge of structures of government and policy processes in the UK, with a particular emphasis on Scotland, and gain invaluable experience at the heart of the British political system. If you’re interested in doing a unique political internship in Edinburgh and studying British politics at its world famous University, there’s still time to apply for Autumn 2008.
Engaging online: Getting citizens back to the centre of democracy
The National Conversation
MPs in Schools Scotland resource packs
Hansard Society Scotland at 2007 SNP Conference

Research and ideas on Parliament and politics

Recess negative: it's not perfect, but the portrayal of parliament as a government puppet bears little resemblance to reality

The 11-week parliamentary recess is now under way, amid the familiar annual charges of laziness and waste. As the Hansard Society's new study on the law making process reveals, parliamentary time is precious. Parliament and government should explore further ways of using the existing parliamentary time more efficiently.
Your Parliament: make it work for you
Law in the Making: a new publication by the Hansard Society
Parliament must do more to scrutinise government spending
Constitutional conundrums

Learning about British politics from the inside

Still time to apply for the Spring 2009 Hansard Scholars Programmes!

If you’re interested in doing a unique political internship in the Houses of Parliament, a UK government department, a campaign organisation or the media, as well as studying British politics at the London School of Economics, you will certainly be interested in the Spring 2009 Hansard Scholars Programme. 2009 really will be a fascinating time to be involved in British politics and you can be a part of this – witnessing the changes, conflicts and developments first hand as they emerge.
Hansard Scholars Visit Edinburgh
What they've said about the Hansard Scholars Programme
Hansard Scholars Programme - Frequently Asked Questions