Organisation and management of the CINet

The function of the CINet is to stimulate and facilitate interaction and collaboration, typically in the form of projects, between the participants in the network and between the network and its external stakeholders. In organising and managing the network a continuous but dynamic balance is sought between self-organisation and centralisation, between co-incidence and control, between flexibility and institutionalisation. Perhaps the strongest way to achieve such a balance is through a shared view of what the network is all about, i.e. its vision, mission and strategy. Furthermore a strong culture is the key to the success of the CINet. Formal positions and arrangements are kept to a minimum.

Culture

It is essential that current and new members of the CINet subscribe to the vision, mission and strategy of the network. On an operational level, members of the network should support a welcoming and pleasant culture in which it is a 'routine':

• To exchange publications.
• To disseminate the results of research projects.
• To invite colleagues to participate in projects and publications.
• To ask for peer reviews of published work, working papers, projects in preparation or underway.
• To invite colleagues to visit in person or to host visits of students to pursue projects, publications or study tours.

Structure

The function of the CINet is not to organise or manage (in any sense) local/national projects. It is hoped that a culture along the lines just sketched is enough to provide an environment in which interaction and collaboration will flourish. However, there are a few network activities that need active co-ordination including:

• The Annual General Meeting.
• The PhD network.
• The CINet conferences, seminars and workshops.
• Network development.
• Network funding.

A small board is responsible for these activities with primary responsibilities allocated to the different board members and their teams. The CINet board consists of a chair person, six members and an executive secretary.

Each year two of the board members retire. Elections are held at the Annual General Meeting, which is held during the conference. The board meets as and when required and may invite other members of the network/supportive teams to their meetings. All members have a vote in the election of board members.