Monash Research Toolkit

When it comes to research webinars there are four main roles which are listed below, this guide includes information and tips about each role to help you excel. Please note that one person may perform more than one of the roles for a single webinar.

THE SPONSOR

THE HOST

THE PANELIST/S

THE PRODUCER

Zoom is the Monash supported webinar platform, Zoom has a great “How To Zoom” playlist on youtube which you can access here, it covers all of the technical basics.

What is your role?

THE SPONSOR

The sponsor is usually a research leader or executive staff member that is responsible for the strategic decisions behind the webinar including;

  • Identifying the purpose and value add of the webinar;
  • Scoping the topic;
  • Selecting the host and panelists;
  • Identifying an audience and
  • Writing scripts and/or panel questions (with the host).

THE HOST

The host is the "face" of the webinar (sometimes this person is also the sponsor) and is usually an executive or a leader in a field of research being covered in the webinar. They are responsible for;

  • Writing scripts and/or panel questions (with the sponsor);
  • Co-hosting the pre-webinar run through session;
  • Introducing the webinar topic and panelists;
  • Shaping the narrative of the discussion by asking questions, providing context and summarising/reiterating ideas;
  • Concluding the webinar and
  • Co-hosting the debrief post-webinar.

THE PANELISTS

The panelists are responsible for providing expert insights on the webinar topic, they are usually high achieving researchers or industry professionals from a range of different career stages and backgrounds. They are responsible for;

  • Reviewing the questions in advance;
  • Preparing a presentation (if necessary);
  • Attending the pre-webinar run through session;
  • Actively participating in the webinar discussion using the responses they have prepared and
  • Attending the debrief post-webinar.

THE PRODUCER

The producer could be an academic or professional staff member and is responsible for the operational planning and logistics of the webinar including;

  • Supporting the scoping of the webinar topic with the sponsor;
  • Supporting the identification of host and panellist options;
  • Supporting the collation of an audience list;
  • Supporting the writing of scripts and/or panel questions;
  • Liaising with the host and panelists;
  • Booking the webinar time;
  • Inviting the audience;
  • Co-hosting the pre-webinar run through session with host and panelists;
  • Managing the live (and recorded) video and audio feed, Q&A function and presentations/screen sharing;
  • Co-hosting the post-webinar debrief with host and panelists and
  • Editing and uploading the webinar recording.