Committee hearings as parliamentary public engagement: A global perspective

Committees are important units of parliaments around the world, but their use in public engagement has been underexplored. Committees can conduct public hearings, which have been analysed as tools for information processing. Following a conceptual overview, the article analyses data collected for the 2022 Global Parliamentary Report on hearings as a tool for public engagement. Based on the survey responses of 69 parliamentary chambers and interviews with MPs and staff, it explores how, and where hearings are used for engagement. Spotlighting innovations such as committee field hearings and core issues from committee practice, such as digital hearings, and mechanisms for the involvement of CSOs, it becomes clear that the perspective on hearings must be broadened beyond legislation and oversight and their role in public engagement must be taken seriously – both for academic study and political practice.