Better choices start by being asked the right questions

Organisations turn to FAIR Consulting to make decision-making more democratic and get advice on complex and politically sensitive challenges.
I design and evaluate complex participation processes and help public organisations to make fair, well-grounded decisions with public legitimacy. Transparency, clarity, positivity and curiosity are the cornerstones of how I work.

Thomas Schäfer
Thomas Schäfer
Independent advisor on democratic decision-making
Let's make effective collaboration your reality

What do I do

When decisions become politically sensitive

I analyse the situation, identify potentials risks and help design participation processes that create clarity, fairness and legitimacy.

When citizen assemblies need independent evaluation

I analyse outcomes, processes and impact based on international quality standards through quantitative and qualitative research, and translate them into clear recommendations.

When complex problems need structure

I provided a process-oriented analysis and utilise visualisation of complexities and relations to stimulate informed decision-making.

What makes a decision legitimate?

Evaluation of the provincial citizen assembly Kopiëren Kopiëren

Province of Gelderland Fair consulting role Independent evaluator providing analysis and recommendations. Context The Province of Gelderland organised a citizen assembly to involve residents in shaping long-term provincial policy. An independent evaluation was commissioned to assess the quality and impact of the process. Role of Fair Consulting Independent evaluator responsible for analysing the design, implementation […]

Evaluation of the provincial citizen assembly Kopiëren

Evaluation and recommendations for the provincial citizen assembly.

Evaluation of the provincial citizen assembly

Province of Gelderland Fair consulting role Independent evaluator providing analysis and recommendations. Context The Province of Gelderland organised a citizen assembly to involve residents in shaping long-term provincial policy. An independent evaluation was commissioned to assess the quality and impact of the process. Role of Fair Consulting Independent evaluator responsible for analysing the design, implementation […]

Selected
work

Who defines what is fair?

Approach

How I work
01

Start with the real question

Before proposing solutions, I focus on clarifying the underlying problem and decision context.

02

Design a fair process

I help design participation processes that are transparent, inclusive and appropriate to the political and organisational context.

03

Stay independent

My role is analytical and advisory. I do not facilitate outcomes, but assess processes and choices objectively.

04

Evaluate what matters

I evaluate participation processes and outcomes, translating findings into clear, actionable recommendations.

What makes a decision legitimate?

About the advisor

Thomas Schäfer

Independent advisor on democratic decision-making

I work with public organisations on the design and evaluation of citizen assemblies and participation processes.

With a background in public-sector organisations and higher education, I bring an independent and analytical perspective to politically sensitive decision-making.

Have a question or planning a participation process?

Get in touch

About the advisor