It Takes Three to Converse: Empirical Observations on How the Developer, the Convener and the Participant Shaped 119 Polis Conversations

Analysis of 119 Polis conversations, a democratic innovation tool, reveals that the final output is significantly shaped by three distinct parties: the platform developer, the conversation convener, and the participants. Critical design choices made by the developer, such as the number of reportable groups and statement prioritization, along with the convener's initial statement framing, fundamentally influence the engagement outcomes.

This research highlights how platform design and initial framing significantly influence outcomes in digital citizen engagement tools. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for organizations employing technology to gather diverse perspectives and ensure the integrity and representative nature of public input processes.

Polis is a democratic innovation tool enabling asynchronous citizen engagement through atomic statements and 'Agree/Disagree' voting.

Forward consideration, not a verified fact.