Ute Kelly (formerly Bühler) is interested in the theory and practice of participation, deliberation and dialogue. Within this broad field, she has a particular interest in the potential of participatory/deliberative approaches in situations of conflict, diversity and inequality, and in the roles of both reason and emotion in shaping people´s engagement with each other.

Apart from her academic publications, Ute has been involved with the Programme for a Peaceful City. As part of this involvement, she wrote a report on the concerns expressed at a discussion forum on the possibility of a ´Diversity Exchange´ for Bradford (2002) and carried out evaluations of the pilot seminar for the new initiative of an Intercultural Leadership School for the Bradford District (May 2002) and of the Bradford-Keighley Youth Parliament’s first year (August 2003). She is hoping to continue to link her research interests with constructive engagement with the challenges faced by practitioners.