Featuring essays from leading designers, MPs and policymakers, 'Designing Democracy' asks what contribution design could make to improving both participation in the democratic process and communication between electors, those who seek election, and those who have been elected.

Co-Chaired by John Howell MP and Dr. Richard Simmons, the essays will investigate key questions surrounding democratic engagement, not least the ongoing trend towards declining election turnouts and increasing voter apathy. In particular, the publication will ask what role design can play in reversing this trend and reinvigorating democratic engagement in the UK, particularly at grassroots level. How can we use design to help people understand why their vote counts? How can design improve the experience of voting? How will design shape the future of democracy?

The publication will be launched in Parliament on 23rd March with a follow-up debate event held in the V&A on 10th April. 

The collection includes essays from:

• Lord Richard Rogers, Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners, President of APDIG
• Speaker John Bercow, House of Commons and Chair of the Speaker's Commission into Digital Democracy 
• Jason Prior, AECOM
• Karen Anderson, Architecture and Design Scotland
• Sam Jacob, Sam Jacob Architects
• Hayley Rogers, Good Law Project
• Dan Hill, Future Cities Catapult
• Laura Haynes, Appetite
• Kieran Long, V&A Museum
• Kate Jones, Design Council
• Carole Ann-Davies, Design Commission Wales
• Nick Hurley, The Human Project 
• Cassie Robinson and Louise Armstrong, The Civic Bureau and Forum for the Future
• David Klanner-Jausner, Commonplace
• And an interview former MP, Julian Huppert

If you have any questions about 'Designing Democracy', don't hesitate to contact us.