Contracting out public participation to external consultants: Observations on epistemic justice

Recent years have seen a rapidly growing trend of outsourcing elements public participation from institutions to external citizen engagement consultants (CECs). This study examined this phenomenon using the theoretical framework epistemic in/justice. It is based on sequential deductive-inductive analysis interviews with administrators, private CECs, and citizens, all involved in participative initiatives localities across Israel. While previous research has focused primarily dyadic relationship between governing selected beneficiaries their services, findings present enable offering some observations about what happens when dyad turns into triad. A critical review suggests that while often presented discourses progress inclusion, fact, it may preserve, or even deepen, injustices, especially for citizens belonging vulnerable marginalized communities.