How to improve democracy:
Gathering research and practice on democratic innovation
The Power Inquiry 2.0 is currently undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the state of democracy in Denmark. Both within academia and among organizations and practitioners working with democracy, the inquiry has sparked curiosity, new conversations, and new initiatives aimed at exploring not only how democracy functions today, but also how it might be improved.
On Oktober 28th from 13.15-17.00 Queen Mary’s Centre in collaboration with The Power Inquiry and the Department of Political Science and Public Management at the University of Southern Denmark invite researchers and practitioners working with democratic innovation to a discussion on how to improve democracy in Denmark.
As a keynote speaker we are happy to present Professor Emiritus Mark Warren, Department of Political Science, University of British Columbia. Mark Warren is former president of the American Political Science Association and an internationally renowned expert on democratic innovation. Warren is particularly known for his “problem-based” approach to democracy, which is the foundation of the Power Inquiry 2.0 and has become a recognized and well-used theoretical foundation for engaging with democracy in practice.
During the course of the afternoon, participants will explore the three “problems” that a system – according to Warren - need to address in order to be democratic. Furthermore, we will learn and share experiences on how to support empowered inclusion, how civil society actors work for agenda setting, and how democratic innovation can lead to better policy.
The event will be in English and take place at University of Copenhagen at Gammeltoftgade 15 in Bygning 35, 3rd floor.
Program
How to improve democracy?
Gathering research and practice on democratic innovation
Date: Wednesday October 28th, 2026
Time: 13.15–17.00
Place: University of Copenhagen, CSS, Room 35.3.13
Hosted by: The Power Inquiry (Magtudredningen) 2.0 in collaboration with Queen Mary’s Centre, UCPH and the department of political Science, University of Southern Denmark.
|
13.30 –13.45 |
Welcoming words |
|
13.45 –14.15 |
Why we need democratic innovation to begin with: |
|
14.15 - 14.45 |
Part 1: How to include citizens? |
|
14.45 –15.00 |
Coffee break |
|
15.00 –15.45 |
Part 2: Voices in the public debate |
|
15.45 –16.15 |
Part 3: From democratic innovation to better public policy |
|
16.15 –16.30 |
Final questions and reflections |
|
16.30 - |
Reception |