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Development of the Digital Democracy Score (DDS) as part of the EU project “INNOVADE”
Politicians and citizens increasingly disseminate political information online, which has resulted in the digitalisation of democracy. In the EU research project “INNOVADE” (“Innovative Democracy through Digitalisation”), eleven European research teams are investigating how digital technologies can strengthen democratic processes. To make this vision a reality, researchers at Paderborn University have developed a research-based prototype of a web tool that can be used to assess digital democracy: the Digital Democracy Score (DDS). Based on survey questions, the DDS shows how effectively the use of digital technologies, such as apps or platforms, supports, promotes, and enables democratic processes. The DDS is intended as a support tool for all those who use or operate digital democracy technologies – from local to national and transnational contexts.
For example, municipalities and cities that operate online citizen reporting systems or digital participatory budget planning can gain valuable insights. FixMyStreet is one example of an online reporting system. Digital platforms used for participatory budgeting, such as Decidim, Consul and DemocracyOS, are further examples of local digital democracy as they enable citizens to have a say in how public funds are used. The DDS also offers valuable insights for organisations using decision-making or opinion-mapping software, such as Loomio and Pol.is, as well as online petition systems or e-voting solutions. The tool is equally interesting for the providers of digital discussion forums and local neighbourhood groups organising online citizen engagement. With its broad range of evaluation contexts, the new tool supports a variety of groups and actors in civil society, politics, administration, culture, and the economy in promoting digital democracy.
The research team at Paderborn University consists of Prof. Dr. Christian Fuchs, Kevin Friesch, and Joel Museba. “There is not one single digital democracy. There are different forms and models of digital democracy. The Digital Democracy Score takes this diversity into account. It is highly flexible and well suited to measuring different varieties of digital democracy. The tool calculates up to six distinct scores and combines them into one overall score: the Digital Democracy Score," explains Prof. Fuchs, who was the team leader in the development of the DDS. Depending on the inputted requirements, the DDS calculates either all six scores or only selected ones. The resulting overall score can range from 0 (very low) to 100 (very high). In addition to a clear visual representation of the results, users receive tailored recommendations for strengthening digital democracy in the long term.
Register now: Digital workshops on DDS
Those who are interested can register until 20 February for training workshops where the concept and methodology of the web tool will be demonstrated and explained. There will also be an opportunity for discussion and questions. The workshops will take place online and free of charge on Tuesday, 24 February, and Wednesday, 4 March, from 10 to 11 a.m. respectively. Further information and registration: bit.ly/digds
The DDS is available free of charge online in English: digital-democracy.net
Further information on “INNOVADE” is available at: innovade-democracy.eu
Prof. Dr. Christian Fuchs, Department of Media Studies at Paderborn University, Phone: +49 5251 60-3289, E-Mail: christian.fuchs@uni-paderborn.de
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