Celebrating 2019's Worst Manels

As 2019 comes to an end and I look back on the year that was, one thing that stood out was the continued proliferation of male-only panels. Despite great support from male champions of change and initiatives such as the #panelpledge, my LinkedIn feed continues to be full of events where the majority, if not all of, the panellists are male (and white). What's going on with that?

In the spirit of change, and to honour the continued under-achievement in panel creation throughout 2019, I've created a list celebrating the worst Manel's of the year. Think of it as the Raspberry Award for events, a Braspberry even.

Here we go...

1. Australian Energy Week

Panel: Customer trends in energy supply and demand and the implications for networks

2. Football Victoria

Panel: Human Rights & Football

3. National Press Club

Panel: Freedom of Press (Photo: Reuters)

4. Insurance Council of Australia

Panel: Unpacking the Royal Commission (Photo: YouTube)

5. CommsCouncil

Panel: Hunting with one bullet - what's the one thing to get right in 2019? (Photo: Twitter)

6. Financial Review Innovation Summit

Panel: Future of Innovation (Credit: Twitter)

7. Institute of Public Administration Australia

Event: Graduate Data Forum (Credit: IPAA)

8. Australian Grain Industry Conference

Panel: CEO Forum (Credit: AGIC)

9. All-Energy Australia

Panel: Quality (Credit AEA)

10. Australian Institute of Company Directors

Event: Essential Director Update (Credit: AICD)

If you're asked to join a panel in 2020, do everyone a favour and ask who else is on it before you say "yes". If the answer doesn't represent a diverse conversation that you want to be part of bow out or even better encourage the organiser to invite others that should be part of the conversation.

Oh...and having a female moderator doesn't count!