Panel Discussion

• The goal of Panel Discussion (PD) is to share one’s views on a particular issue and to allow the audience to participate in the discussion.
• The participants are supposed to approach the given topic from the perspective of their research and be ready to engage in a dialogue with other panelists. However, the form and language should be appropriate to non-specialist audience.
• At DRC 2020, the PD sessions consist of short presentations (3-5 min) by each panelist followed by moderator-curated questions and discussion.

You can apply to present in one of the three thematic sessions:

1. ‘Soft Sciences’ in a Tough World: The Future of Humanities
2. Digital Technologies in Science and Humanities – New Challenges
3. Bridges, Walls… or What? Managing Challenges of Multiculturalism

For your speaking part, you can use a visual presentation in *.pptx, *.pptm, *.ppsx, *.ppsm or *.pdf format.

Some useful hints and detailed information concerning the topics

Topics Description

1. ’Soft Sciences’ in a Tough World: The Future of Humanities

   The focus of this session is on the role of ‘soft sciences’ and other related fields in the contemporary pragmatic world. The key question is whether there is any space for ‘soft’ areas of academic discourse at universities and whether societies have any use of them.  The authors are invited to present this issue from the perspective of their research and experience as well as to show what, in their opinion, their projects may bring to society and fellow human beings. The topics may concern theology, philosophy, ethics, arts, literature, music, philology or other such disciplines and should be presented in a form adequate to a non-specialist audience.

2. Digital Technologies in Science and Humanities – New Challenges

   This session focuses on the impact of digital technologies have on science and humanities. We all face challenging questions. Do we have to redefine what sciences and humanities are, given new technological perspectives? Accepting new technologies has brought the challenge of dropping old approaches and discovering new methods. Is the division science-humanities still sharp and defined or fuzzy and blurred? New technologies bring many positives and negatives that should be a subject for discussion (e.g. epistemic distance, atrophy of certain human abilities, the treat of 4^th industrial evolution). What is the role of humanities as we are facing these challenges? If you are not wanting such questions to remain unanswered, please join us and offer your solutions.

3. Bridges, Walls… or What? Managing Challenges of Multiculturalism

   This subject covers the issue of cultural and religious pluralism in contemporary societies. We often hear about risks and problems stemming from the encounter between different cultures. It seems that multiculturalism is a new phenomenon specific to the globalized world and the source of many recent conflicts and tension. Hence, the question raised in this session is how can we perceive or define multiculturalism and what challenges it poses. For this reason, we especially invite authors who carry out their research in areas related to cultural studies, history, religious studies, theology, ecumenism, philosophy, international relations and area studies, arts or other similar fields.

Additional Information on Panel Discussion at DRC 2020

How long does a PD Session last

75-90 min with 6-7 panelists (35-45 min for presentations, 40-50 min for moderator-curated questions and questions from the audience)

The structure of a PD Session

• 2-5 min introduction of the topic and panelists (moderator)
• 3-5 min presentation by each panelist introducing one’s perspective + arguments supporting the view
• 20 min moderator-curated questions & discussion among the panelists
• 20-25 min questions from the audience

How to do a presentation for PD

• Prepare like a full paper presenter. Research the topic, state your thesis and offer arguments. Keep your presentation succinct and well-structured. Rehearse your speaking part. You can use visual presentation, but you must download it to the conference computer before the session begins and make sure it works.
• Research your other panelists & read the discussion issues. When your submission is accepted, you will receive an email with the abstracts by other panelists and the list of issues that should be covered during the discussion.
• Keep it concise. Avoid being too text-heavy. Use stories, examples or anecdotes, but remember about the time-limit – during your speaking part, the digressions should be well-planned.
• Think about useful phrases. Make a list of useful phrases that may help you to engage in the discussion and learn it by heart.
• Be ready to interact with other panelists. The discussion should be lively and interesting – do not be afraid to ask and answer questions.

All in all, during a PD Session, both the panelists as well as the audience should HAVE A GOOD TIME. As Guy Kawasaki puts it, you can “think of a panel as friendly, though emotional conversation in front of 100 of your closest friends”.