These meetings may be conducted as roundtables, ongoing working groups, or in some other appropriate format. No more than twenty to thirty persons usually attend small-group activities. Speakers are invited as guests of Dumbarton Oaks. Invited respondents may receive limited support toward transportation and accommodation costs. An announcement may be sent to scholars on the Dumbarton Oaks mailing list who have expressed an interest in relevant domains of research.
Attendance is free of charge.
In a roundtable format, short presentations are used to introduce questions for discussion. Roundtables can be organized in any way conducive to a thorough discussion engaging all in attendance. Events range from a half day to one and a half days. To help foster discussion, no more than three to eight scholars usually make presentations. Invited respondents may be asked to comment on the presentations and their implications.