About the Roundtable
Conduct of the Roundtable

Attendance at the roundtable is by invitation, and is limited to 45 participants.  Invitations are designed to engage world-renowned leaders in their fields, and to bring a diversity of views as well as new and visionary ideas to the table.  The Roundtable will last for two days and comprise thematic discussion sessions, two panel discussions (one at the end of each day), and a final session dedicated to converting ideas into action.  Sessions will last for between 12 and 3 hours and will be lead by a pre-nominated Chair.  Chairs will spend around 15 minutes providing an overview of the data and information related challenges and opportunities relevant to the theme of the session, based on a prepared (and pre-circulated) 2-3 page summary of issues (constraints, challenges, opportunities).  Designated discussants will each be given a further 10 minutes to illustrate, challenge, or to introduce different insights and perspectives.  A moderated round table discussion will follow, culminating in a 5-10 minute summary by the Chair.  The two panel sessions will reflect on and across the issues and opportunities raised during the day, and the final, synthesis session will seek to articulate short- and longer-term imperatives for action.

Immediately following the Roundtable, a small group (including the conference organizers) will spend a further day to document key discussions, insights, and recommendations, ensuring contributions and emerging opportunities are properly captured and integrated in a coherent and actionable way. An edited and condensed action-oriented “brief” of the roundtable will be prepared and disseminated widely.