The Panel Discussion, Roundtable, Symposium, and Colloquium

Abstract

The panel or roundtable discussion is a generic term that means that more than two persons (speaker and moderator) are on the stage at the same time. This may be part of a free paper session, or take place after several talks. It consists of inviting several people to give their opinion or comment on a specific topic (usually presented one after the other in the session preceding the roundtable session). The role of the moderator here is crucial, as he or she has to maintain order, make sure that each person at the roundtable on the podium gets to talk or comment, and at the same time ensure that a particular orator does not try to steal the show. Usually, at the end of the session, the moderator should summarize the information gleaned throughout the session. The moderator needs to federate during the debates and act as a “sage” when it comes to the synthesis or summary at the end of the session. Symposiums and colloquiums are simply other names for the roundtable format. As such, they should abide by the same rules.