Participation level:
- Medium (Opinions noted)
Innovation level:
- High (Innovative)
Facilitator skill level, and other support required:
- High (Specialist skills)
Can be used for:
- Engage community
- Discover community issues
- Develop community capacity
- Develop action plan
- Communicate an issue
- [[Build Alliances]], consensus
Expert panels allow citizens to hear a variety of informed ('expert') viewpoints from which to decide on recommendations or courses of action in relation to an issue or proposal. (see the case study linked at the end of this page)
Expert panels help participants to come to agreement on an issue, or to develop a series of recommendations on a proposal or community environmental issue. Such recommendations or proposals can then be forwarded to Decision Making bodies.
- Useful when an issue is complex and contentious.
- Useful where conflict exists to provide opinions which may have more credibility, and hence may assist in resolving the conflict.
- Useful when a variety of opinions are present, to provide a credible alternative opinion, based on credible expertise.
- Useful when the possibility of legal ramifications are present, as the experts' report or opinions may carry weight in any future court case.
- Experts can be expensive.
- A long lead time may be needed to 'book' appropriate experts.
- Format of the panel must encourage participation and dialogue between all panelists.
- Generally, this is used at the conclusion of participatory program where all available information has been considered.
- Public input may not be available.
- Used mostly where specialised knowledge is required rather than public opinion.
- A highly skilled moderator is required.
- Expertise in relevant and complementary areas will be needed to produce an 'expert opinion' which will be credible with the public, and which can be drawn on in the case of legal action.
Organizing Expert Panel
How many people to organize?
- Medium (2-12 people)
- Individual
Time required:
- Medium (6 weeks-6 months)
Cost:
- High (> AUD$10,000)
- Medium (AUD$1,000-AUD$10,000)
- Select panelists on the basis of expertise, ensuring issues/groups of relevance are represented.
- Allow time for contacting experts for the panel, and negotiating a mutually suitable time. For very busy people, this can mean planning some months in advance.
- Employ a skilled and unbiased moderator.
- Provide background briefing information to panelists.
- Determine ground rules for the panel.
- Allow public input if possible and appropriate (also see Fishbowl).
- Determine course of action.
- Present the outcomes of the panel discussions.
References
Description
Expert panels are engaged when highly specialised input and opinion is required for a project. Generally, a variety of experts are engaged based on various fields of expertise to debate and discuss various courses of action and make recommendations. An expert panel is not as interactive as a Fishbowl (where experts are the fish in the bowl). They are used often when the issue is highly contentious and decisions are likely to have possible legal ramifications or where the best possible results (based on expertise) are required.
Case study:
This page originally copied with permission from the Citizens Science Toolbox
