"The fish bowl"

The second technique is called “Fish bowl”.

The goal of the activity is to avoid having a large group discussing openly about a topic, given that in this kind of setting, the volume and complexity of the discussion may impede organised evaluation and assessment of the data considered.

Therefore a few active participants (ideally 3 – 6 people) are isolated to discuss while the rest of the participants (up to a maximum of about 50 people for comfort) sit around the outside and observe without interrupting. 

Facilitation is focused on the core group discussion. As there are less people, it is easier to facilitate and reach a conclusion on clear grounds.

The Fishbowl technique is especially useful when there is a complex or “hot topic” where stages of the critical thinking process may be hectic, while still keeping a variety of perspectives.

For our purposes, we could ask the participants to discuss about "critical thinking for the green transition".

In general, the Fishbowl technique favors controversial and complex topics, giving a chance for the observers to have less emotional involvement and potentially increased quality in reflection and understanding of the issue considered.

Variations of the technique is whether to set a “closed conversation” among a specific group or open one or more chairs to “visitors”, members of the audience, who want to ask questions or make comments.

While the technique is self-organized once the discussion gets underway, the fishbowl process usually has a facilitator or moderator.

The fishbowl is best used as part of a larger process of discussion and decision-making.

Note: it is possible to use this technique onsite and online.