Method

Panel Discussion

ParticipateHave a sayOnboardingUnderstanding & Gathering PerspectivesAnalogue1 - 3 HoursDirectly AffectedInterested PublicHard-to-Reach GroupsOrganised ActorsMedium Group up to 30Large Group from 30StructuredActivating

A Panel Discussion is a participatory format in which different people publicly discuss a specific topic. It brings together diverse perspectives, interests, and opinions. Panelists often include experts, representatives from politics or public administration, interest groups, and people directly affected by the issue.

Goal

The goal of a panel discussion is to make different perspectives on a topic publicly visible and to facilitate a structured exchange between various stakeholders. The format helps communicate information in an accessible way, openly discuss conflicts and differing opinions, and generate new ideas for future participation or planning processes.

When useful?

discussing controversial or publicly relevant topics.
different perspectives should be made visible.
informing and raising awareness.
introducing a broader participation process.
bringing together public perspectives and expert knowledge.

When not useful?

concrete solutions need to be developed collaboratively.
working with very small groups.
only a few perspectives are represented.
there is no room for open discussion.
the topic has little public relevance or debate.

Process

Choose a topic that:

is relevant to the public,
allows different perspectives,
encourages discussion.

The guiding question should be open-ended.

Examples:

How should the city centre develop in the future?
What kind of mobility does our neighbourhood need?
How can public spaces become more equitable?

Invite participants representing a range of perspectives.

Possible panelists include:

subject experts
politicians
public administration representatives
local initiatives
interest groups
people directly affected

Aim for a diverse panel.

Make sure to:

represent different viewpoints,
consider power imbalances,
prevent any single perspective from dominating.

The moderator should:

structure the discussion,
ask guiding questions,
ensure balanced participation,
manage the time,
involve the audience.

Prepare:

guiding questions,
potential conflict topics,
transitions,
a clear schedule.

Plan for:

good visibility of the panel,
appropriate acoustics and microphones,
seating for the audience,
digital participation tools if required.

The audience should feel actively included and have opportunities to participate.

The moderator opens the event by explaining:

the topic and objectives,
the programme,
discussion guidelines,
opportunities for audience participation.

The panelists are then introduced.

Each panelist is given time for a brief opening statement.

They may:

explain their perspective,
present their main position,
share experiences or insights.

Opening statements should remain concise to leave sufficient time for discussion.

The moderator guides the discussion using targeted questions.

Examples include:

Where do you see the greatest challenges?
Which solutions do you consider most promising?
Where do conflicts or differing interests arise?

The moderator ensures that:

everyone has the opportunity to contribute,
the discussion remains understandable,
contributions stay concise.

The audience is then invited to contribute.

Possible formats include:

open Q&A sessions,
written questions,
digital participation tools,
live polls.

Allow sufficient time for questions and discussion.

To conclude, the moderator summarises:

key insights,
differing viewpoints,
open questions,
possible next steps.

Each panelist may also give a brief closing statement.

Record:

key statements,
points of conflict,
audience questions,
possible solutions.

meeting minutes,
summary reports,
photo documentation,
video recordings.

Make the results available to:

participants,
the public,
public administration,
political decision-makers.

Clearly communicate how the results will be used in future processes.

Source: https://mobilitaetsplanung-hessen.de/methodenkoffer-partizipative-planung/

Notes

Tips

Aim for a diverse panel representing multiple perspectives.
Encourage concise contributions to maintain an engaging discussion.
The moderator should actively guide the discussion and prevent dominant individuals from taking over.
Allow sufficient time for audience questions.
Digital participation tools can help include quieter participants.

Not suitable for

making concrete decisions.
intensive group work.
very small groups.
processes without room for open discussion or diverse perspectives.

Afterwards

Afterwards, methods that organise, deepen, or translate the gathered content into concrete steps are useful. Depending on the goal, the following formats can follow, for example:

Open Space

Open Space is an open participation method in which participants decide for themselves which topics they want to discuss. The process is guided only by a shared overarching theme. The specific questions explored and the direction of the discussions emerge from the interests and ideas of the participants themselves. The method is particularly effective when bringing together a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas. Participants are free to move between discussion groups, introduce new topics, or simply listen. This creates a dynamic, self-organised environment for dialogue and collaboration.

ActivatingCreative

Online Participation

Online Participation is a digital engagement method that enables people to take part in planning and decision-making processes through a website or online platform. Participants can access information, contribute ideas, comment on proposals, evaluate suggestions, or collaborate using interactive maps and discussion tools. Participation can take place live during an event or asynchronously over a longer period, allowing people to contribute regardless of time or location. This makes it possible to reach a wide range of participants while offering greater flexibility than traditional in-person formats.

StructuredActivating