Practice guides and research
Community engagement practice
Practical guides on community engagement practice for governments and public agencies: engagement strategy and frameworks, planning, the IAP2 spectrum, stakeholder mapping, what-we-heard reporting, closing the loop and responsible AI.
All articles
Reading Is Not Coding
AI can assign codes, and do it well. What it cannot do is design, refine and govern the framework that makes coding consistent and defensible.
Less Time Preparing Engagement. More Time Engaging.
AI is getting better at the paperwork of engagement. That is not a threat to the profession — it is a reallocation of where practitioner time goes.
IAP2 Spectrum Evolution: What's Changing and Why It Matters
IAP2's Spectrum Evolution recommendations, and why the Engagement Institute and IAP2 USA have asked the Board to keep the current Spectrum.
What Is Community Engagement? A Practitioner's Guide
A practitioner's definition of community engagement, the test that separates it from communication, the levels of engagement, and why getting it right matters.
Community Engagement Examples: Real Projects and What They Reveal
Local government community engagement examples, with lessons for planning, infrastructure, participation, and follow-through.
AI in Community Engagement: What Actually Matters (And What Doesn’t)
A practical overview of what actually matters in AI for community engagement, from governance and judgement to workflow design and defensibility.
What Responsible AI Looks Like in Community Engagement Practice
What responsible AI really means in community engagement and how to apply it without compromising trust or practitioner control.
Why We Built EVA Differently: AI Grounded in Engagement Practice
The thinking behind EVA and why AI in engagement needs to be built around practice, not content generation.
The Risks of Generic AI in Community Engagement
Generic AI can quietly undermine engagement outcomes. Here’s what to watch for and how to avoid it.
AI vs Human Judgment in Engagement: Where the Line Should Be
Where AI should support and where it should never replace human judgment in community engagement.
How to Use AI in Community Engagement Planning
A practical guide to using AI across your engagement planning workflow without losing control or clarity.
AI Tools for Community Engagement: What to Look For
Not all AI tools are built for engagement. Here’s how to evaluate what actually matters.