How parliaments engage with citizens? Online public engagement: a comparative analysis of Parliamentary websites

Beyond national boundaries in the study of digital public engagement: Interparliamentary institutions and cooperation in the Austrian and Portuguese national parliaments

“…First, this is still a relatively new parliamentary activity 2 (Prior & Leston‐Bandeira, 2022; Serra‐Silva, 2021; Walker et al, 2019). 3 Supporting deeper public engagement involves navigating through the multiple repertoires of engagement activities and techniques available, from passive to more active forms, and many possible choices of design.…”

“…In this particular challenging context, several international organizations have taken a strong lead in the worldwide diffusion of e‐parliament and in the digitalization of parliaments by developing networks and exchanging platforms to help parliamentary institutions adapt to digital media, increase transparency and engage effectively with the public (Inter‐parliamentary Union [IPU], 2018; Leston‐Bandeira, 2007; Sobaci, 2012). While significant research has been conducted on the key transformations in parliaments' digital communication over the years (e.g., Campos‐Domíngez & Ramos‐Vielba, 2021) and the different ways parliaments use digital tools to engage the public (e.g., Serra‐Silva, 2021), there is limited understanding of the role of interparliamentary institutions (IPIs) and networks 1 in the diffusion of new ideas and solutions of (digital) public engagement.…”

“…3 3 For a comprehensive review of European parliaments' endeavors of public engagement see Serra‐Silva (2021). …”

“…9 9 There have been attempts in both countries to open up additional avenues for people to become involved in the political process. For instance, Austria has had a legislative crowdsourcing mechanism on the parliament website since 2017 and Portugal has made a considerable investment in developing an e‐petition system with lower costs of participation for citizens (Serra‐Silva, 2021). …”

Reviewing the review: a three-dimensional approach to analysing the 2017–2020 review of the House of Lords investigative and scrutiny committees

“…Indeed, since 2012, one of the core tasks of select committees in the House of Commons has included public engagement; and, thereafter, this task has been pursued innovatively and expansively (see e.g. Leston-Bandeira & Walker, 2018;Serra-Silva, 2021;Walker et al, 2019). Correspondingly, since 2006, the Lords has adopted a Public Engagement Strategy in rolling strategic plans; investigated how the Lords should 'engage with the public and enable members of the public to communicate with it' (HL 138-I, 2009, p. 5); and has supported the development of a bicameral outreach service.…”