The Center for Deliberative Poll at Keio University

Director: Masatoshi Tamamura (Professor, Faculty of Policy Management)

Campus: Shonan Fujisawa Campus (SFC)

This research center aims to research and promote the Deliberative Poll (DP). In continuous partnership with the Center for Deliberative Democracy (CDD) at Stanford University, the Center will serve as a hub for DP research in Japan.

Public opinion polls, deliberation, democracy, Deliberative Poll

■ Background, Rationale, and Goals for Continuing Activities from the Previous Fiscal Year

The Center will conduct theoretical and practical analysis on using DPs for important policy choices. This includes disseminating research findings from joint projects with local governments and other bodies, such as the MEXT "Science for RE-designing Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (SciREX)" program. It also involves several research and development projects in preparation and joint practical research with public institutions and local governments.

■ Goals and Content of New Activities, and Background for Implementation

By examining the implementation of Deliberative Polls for important policy issues, the Center will study how citizens make policy choices in ways that differ from conventional public opinion polls, while also accumulating data and information. Through this, we will not only advance the Deliberative Poll itself but also develop theories for its use in the policy-making process and build highly effective practical models. We will continue and expand joint research and commissioned projects with local governments and other organizations to accumulate relevant knowledge.

■ Implementation Details, Research Outcomes, and Degree of Achievement in Relation to the Fiscal Year's Project Plan

Leveraging the results of DPs previously conducted by the Center and research outcomes from programs such as the MEXT "Science for RE-designing Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (SciREX)" program, the Center promoted research activities through joint research and commissioned projects with local governments, corporations, and other entities. It also conducted theoretical and practical analysis on the use of DPs in important policy choices.

Based on the knowledge it has accumulated to date, this research center has played an important role in policy formation by supporting the implementation of DPs by the national and local governments in Japan, as well as assisting with policy selection and evaluation analysis. Furthermore, it has researched the potential applications of DP as a method for visualizing and quantifying social expectations regarding science, technology, and innovation policy, and has supported the creation of guidelines and the publication of books for its dissemination.