Delivered as part of Sciencewise's digital dialogue session at Civil Service Live 2013. Session focussed on Sciencewise paper -In the goldfish bowl: science and technology policy dialogues in a digital world (http://www.sciencewise-erc.org.uk/cms/in-the-goldfish-bowl-science-and-technology-policy-dialogues-in-a-digital-world/)

1. In the Goldfish Bowl:
a government digital perspective
Marilyn Booth
Digital Engagement
@bisgovuk

2. First Impressions
• Welcome addition to open policy making
• Particularly relevant to science policy – you have an active online
community
• Engage with it during dialogue and beyond
• Focus on the positive
• Realise you don’t have to do it all yourself - digital engagement about
– Mapping conversations
– Listening & identifying online influencers
– Providing opportunities for direct engagement
– Building partnerships to amplify content

3. Offline dialogue vs online engagement
• The engagement’s the thing!
• Adopt the mindset
• Both need facilitation & encouragement
• With both, preparation is key
• Language
But
• Digital isn’t cheap
• It can bring scale - analysis
• Do you get the depth of the dialogue approach?

4. What’s happening in BIS?
• All departments have digital strategy
• Ours commits us to encouraging online listening, and open policy
making
• Building expertise through:
– Training
– Digital surgeries
– Case studies
– Digital speakers from outside Govt
– Digital Month 2013

5. Where to start
• You’re not starting from zero
– Talk to digital teams
– Understand what you can do in your dept
– Look at case studies
• Case studies (BIS’s on @bisdigital blog)
• Demsoc/Cabinet Office Open Policy Making blog
Digital Engagement Guide
– Learn from others who do it well
– Read Cabinet Office social media guidance

6. Where to start
• You’re not starting from zero
– Talk to digital teams
– Understand what you can do in your dept
– Look at case studies
• Case studies (BIS’s on @bisdigital blog)
• Demsoc/Cabinet Office Open Policy Making blog
Digital Engagement Guide
– Learn from others who do it well
– Read Cabinet Office social media guidance