TRAIN OF THOUGHTS

We all spend a lot of time in moderated meetings. Panel discussions, 'in conversations', post-show talks and formal lectures all depend on a mediating voice to frame the experience for an audience and support effective two-way engagement. The standard of chairing is often disappointing and poor technique often acts as a barrier. In addition the pool of chairs is frequently restricted to a privileged and conventionally narrow population, which exacerbates the underrepresentation of non-dominant groups in public discourse... Excellent chairing, conversely, can transform an event. It empowers speakers and participants, sparks imaginative conversations, reduces the ‘barriers to entry' for new audiences and generates effective inter-disciplinary collaborations. While conventional training focuses on the speaker, there is no formal tuition or support available to chairs. Interestingly, the skills required are mostly technical. While motivation and experience are relevant, the basic..

Primary location: United Kingdom