Using Devising Seminars to Advance Collaborative Problem Solving in Complicated Public Policy Disputes

Abstract

In many public policy situations, formal negotiations and collective problem solving are inhibited by a lack of good ideas that can get the buy-in and support of all involved stakeholders.We suggest that devising seminars provide a promising approach for helping to overcome this barrier. A devising seminar is an off-the-record, facilitated workshop that brings together representatives of core stakeholding interest groups to brainstorm mutually advantageous approaches to address collective challenges. In this article, we explain what devising seminars are, how they work, and how they can help with complex public policy disputes. We illustrate through the case of the Devising Seminar on Arctic Fisheries and conclude with lessons learned from that experience.

Using systems thinking to conceptually link the monitoring and evaluation function within development interventions and public policy

“…We then asked subsequent cohorts to comment on the visual perception recreated using comments from the preceding cohorts until we arrived at a mutually acceptable model. Susskind and Rumore (2015) have a more structured case in which a devising seminar was recently used.…”

Municipal Leadership of Climate Adaptation Negotiations: Effective Tools and Strategies in Houston and Fort Lauderdale

“…The ordinance team knew that community approval would be critical in obtaining city commission passage of a proposed seawall ordinance. To ensure this outcome, the team used a collective problem‐solving approach by first building consensus on proposed changes to the seawall ordinance within Fort Lauderdale's city government (Susskind and Rumore ).…”

“…Municipal leaders negotiate how to implement effective climate adaptation planning processes by identifying potential risks, assessing how to respond to them, and then implementing policies that reflect those assessments (Susskind 2010;Moser and Ekstrom 2010;Barros et al 2014;Shi, Chu, and Debats 2015). In the process, however, they are often confronted with challenges that arise when people try to change longstanding government practices (Smith, Vogel, and Cruce 2010;Moser and Ekstrom 2012).…”

“…While municipal leaders often begin to develop policies by assessing which climate conditions will most seriously affect their cities, even the most credible projections are often contested by constituent groups. Stakeholders, who often have differing interpretations of risk, subject such projections to significant scrutiny (Kahan, Jenkins-Smith, and Braman 2011;Renn 2011;Susskind 2015). Municipal leaders must also implement practical adaptation policies that respect constituents' claimed "sacred values" (Bazerman, Tenbrunsel, and Wade-Benzoni 2008).…”

“…Municipal leaders are increasingly seeking ways to pre-empt climate related crises in their communities by planning for climate change adaptation. Unsurprisingly, they frequently face significant barriers to implementing adaptation plans and consequently must negotiate to build public support for adaptation policies (Susskind et al 2015).…”