Selection procedures
The basic criterion for bringing together researchers and organisations in the consortium is the quality of work, which can be assessed on the basis of publications and other contributions to the domain. Other points of consideration are continuity as legally established institutes and research programmes, current collaboration in international comparative research, and excellence in research on general or specialised topics. Finally, a commitment in terms of input of research time and other resources into the Network is crucial. Such criteria have explicitly been endorsed and applied by the present IMISCOE members.
These guiding principles will also apply to new members interested in joining the network. A procedure will be developed through which such applications may be prepared in collaboration with the Coordinator and decided upon by the Board of Directors (comprised of the directors of IMISCOE member institutes). Such admission procedures may be initiated either by invitation of the Board of Directors or by application from non-members themselves. The twinning of IMISCOE members with potential future members, particularly from regions now underrepresented (East and Central Europe, and the southern part of the Mediterranean Basin), will be an important vehicle to enhance the geographical reach and scope of IMISCOE in Europe as a whole. Such potential members will be invited to participate in the activities of the IMISCOE network under the aegis and responsibility of a member Institute.
To safeguard quality and excellence, the researchers involved in this Network are the best researchers and PhD candidates working in the present IMISCOE institutes. More concretely, IMISCOE researchers have been chosen by their institutes on the basis of
- the minimum criteria set by the European Commission;
- assessment of their past performance (their curriculum vitae and list of publications; the quality of publications as reflected in the form of publication (refereed journals, national/international journals, etc);
- well-grounded expectations of their future work and production within IMISCOE.
