The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute seeks to be a gathering place for all parts of our community and to serve the people of Utah through meaningful civic engagement. Deliberative community engagement brings people with a wide variety of perspectives together, provides them with a foundation of high quality information, and allows them to share perspectives and work collaboratively to find productive ways forward.

Deliberation offers a way for decision makers to consider the concerns, perceptions and values of a variety of people in order to make informed decisions. Whether you are interested in having the Gardner Institute develop a discussion guide that outlines key approaches to an issue, facilitate group deliberation of a complex problem, or host an expert panel followed by community deliberation, we offer a variety of services that can be tailored and scaled to meet your needs.

Download Deliberative Engagement Brochure

Deliberative Group Report for Preschool Development Grant, Birth-Five

In 2019, the Gardner Institute conducted ten deliberative groups of local parents and early childhood service providers in communities spread throughout Utah.  The qualitative data from these groups informs the State Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan called for in a Utah Department of Workforce Services, Office of Child Care grant funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Click here for the full report. Click here for the discussion guide in English, and here for it in Spanish.

Note: This report has not been reviewed by the funder, and may be subject to change after review.

Land of Plenty: How Can We Build A Food System that Works for All of Us

As a Kettering Foundation Center for Public Life, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute conducted interviews and held Discussion Roundtables with Utah stakeholders and the public to create a discussion guide and summary that outline three approaches to building a food system with better access to high quality food. Click here for the discussion guide. Click here for the summary.

Salt Lake City Critical Needs Deliberation

The Gardner Institute created a discussion guide and facilitated deliberation among Salt Lake City business leaders to consider the challenges associated with Salt Lake City’s growth and role as a hub of Wasatch Front activities and business. Click here to learn more.

Family Planning Elevated

The Gardner Institute provided issue guide consultation and facilitated a deliberative work session for Family Planning Elevated Stakeholders.