This study (published today) examines the sequences of 420 online civic engagement projects by 41 Dutch municipalities using data from the Citizen Lab platform. Drawing on the participatory cube framework, sequence analysis was employed to identify twelve distinct engagement typologies, revealing considerable variation in modes and timing of participation. The findings indicate that online civic engagement is heterogeneous, ranging from brief, individualized activities to prolonged, collaborative processes. This nuanced understanding challenges oversimplified participation categories and offers insights for designing more effective digital engagement. The study also highlights sequence analysis as a useful method for exploring temporal patterns in civic technology contexts.
Bram Faber 