Deliberate Thinking is run by Diane Beddoes, who has 30 years experience of dialogue, engagement and research. Diane was previously Chief Executive of Dialogue by Design and director at OPM.  Deliberate Thinking works alone, and in partnership with other organisations.

We specialise in work that raises complex ethical and social questions and our combined experience spans the big issues in science and emerging technologies, economics, transport, energy, health and social care.

History and experience

As Chief Executive of Dialogue by Design, Diane grew the business, leading a team of 18, winning new clients and repeat business from existing clients, whilst retaining a practitioner role. She led technically and ethically complex science and technology dialogues for a wide range of central government departments and agencies, and development consent order (DCO) consultations on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) for clients such as HS2 and National Grid. She developed engagement strategies and designed and ran workshops with stakeholders in the science, health, utilities, energy and environment sectors.

She founded Deliberate Thinking to give her more opportunities to concentrate on  on projects that excite and interest her, presenting intellectual challenges and posing ethical questions.

Deliberate Thinking is currently working  with the RSA on a project that creates space for citizens to consider trade-offs in the use of AI and to guide companies, organisations and institutions in how it is harnessed.  This project – supported by Deep Mind – will draw on learning from the RSA’s Citizens Economic Council, a project for the RSA, done in partnership with Ursus Consulting. Diane is also a member of the Involve team working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy to provide expert support and advice to BEIS, as part of the Sciencewise programme.  Previous projects include an evaluation of a project on prison reform, for Teesside Reform Prisons and the evaluation of a public dialogue on using medical evidence, for the Academy of Medical Sciences.

We make sure results are actionable and help you to think: what next?