SPEAKERS: Michele Holt-Shannon and Bruce Mallory
NH Listens, Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire

This seminar will share lessons learned from six years of community-based, statewide civic engagement using the tools of deliberative democracy to address “wicked problems”. New Hampshire Listens has worked with local communities and the entire state to engage in public deliberations regarding many social and economic challenges. These deliberations inform policy makers (including elected and appointed government officials), community leaders, and everyday citizens about public preferences for actions needed to address “wicked problems.” The public engagement tools used by NH Listens complement formal decision-making, legislative, and rule-making processes. We strive to build and strengthen adaptable civic infrastructure that creates opportunities for everyone to “come to the table” in search of common ground and actionable solutions. Our ultimate aim is to create engagement processes that are effective, increase legitimacy of public decision-making, and assure equity both in participation and in outcomes.

Michele Holt-Shannon
Co-Director, NH Listens, Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire
Michele Holt-Shannon’s work is focused on civic engagement, community problem-solving, and building coalitions for community change efforts. She joined Carsey in 2011 to focus on process design to ensure fair, inclusive, and informed outcomes for local and statewide projects. She works to bring people together across perspectives and backgrounds to solve problems and create equitable solutions for their communities. Recent projects include statewide conversations on the American dream and NH’s kids, mental health and substance use, government innovation and efficiency, and water sustainability. Michele received an MA in higher education and human development from Bowling Green State University, and an MTS in world religions and theological studies from Boston College.

Bruce L. Mallory
Co-Director, NH Listens, Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire
Professor of education Bruce L. Mallory, has been a practitioner and national leader in the deliberative democracy movement for the past fifteen years. As co-director of New Hampshire Listens, Bruce leads the development of capacity building in local communities and at the state level for public dialogue on a range of issues. His primary objective is to integrate effective forms of citizen deliberation into policy analysis and dissemination around research topics related to social and economic justice. Bruce served as the interim director of Carsey Institute from 2011 to 2014. In addition, he has served as graduate school dean (1997-2003), and provost and executive vice president (2003-2009) at UNH. He earned his doctorate from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University in Special Education and Community Psychology in 1979.