Judging the judges

I understand that the ITA committee are due to discuss some ideas realted to the training and selection of award adjudicators.Barry Lucas and I had a very fruitful discussion last week at the ITA office.Amongst the ideas to emerge from our conversation was a suggestion from me that the adjudication process had been rendered too anonymous and in the process was "protecting" the adjudicators from criticism that may at times be warranted. After all, what does anyone really know about our adjudicators and the marks they give?I suggested that each adjudicator's marks should be subject to a process of peer review - discussed and if necessary voted on at a meeting of all adjudicators. A similar process already takes place for adjudicator's certificates, why not for other awards?Opinions often differ so widely on a show, it is vital that these differences be aired and discussed. Through this process of debate and discussion the adjudicators can achieve concensus. Along the way, their outlooks will be broadened, their critical thinking tested and their opinions revised.I'd almost line up to adjudicate in a process like that! It would be very challenging for all involved.If adjudicators are going to sit in judgement over other people productions, i say, let them be judged, too!CheersGrant