[Dueller]

Don't know exactly what the subject discussed in these interviews is, but if you can find out something about the individual interviewer(s), their field of expertise/interest, or at least something noteworthy about the organization you can quickly turn the interview to where you are interviewing them. I did it with law firms.

For example, "Dr. Fudpucker, I seem to recall you were instrumental in pushing thru the confederate exhibition two years ago...and that it went on to be subsequently displayed at the Harlem Museum. What were the logistics with putting that cooperative effort together?" Or "I noticed three years ago the museum undertook a fund raising project to develop a display of fossilized dragonflies...how is that project developing?" I dunno...just pulled that outta my left buttcheek. But you get the idea...people get a big chub outta talking about themselves or organizational accomplishments.

In other words, start interviewing them as if you are considering whether you want to work with/for them. If nothing else it deflects the attention away from you and may curb some nervousness on your part.