Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Thematic Network?

Thematic Networks are one of the main innovations of the Socrates-Erasmus programme. They were created to deal with forward-looking, strategic reflection on the scientific, educational and institutional issues in the main fields of higher education. Generally speaking, a Thematic Network is a co-operation between departments of higher education institutions and other partners (e.g. academic organisations or professional bodies).

Normally, all countries participating in the Socrates-Erasmus programmes (EU, EFTA and Candidate Countries) should be represented in a Thematic Network. The main aim of the programme is to enhance quality and to define and develop a European dimension within a given academic discipline or study area. Alternatively, it can take up a topic of an inter- or multidisciplinary nature, or other matters of common interest, such as university management or quality assurance. Co-operation within Thematic Networks is expected to lead to outcomes which will have a lasting and widespread impact on universities across Europe in the field concerned.”

“All the Thematic Networks have taken European integration on board and have had a very pronounced European dimension. In that sense, European co-operation has been envisaged at two levels: Firstly, as a policy issue, where higher education has been called upon to contribute to the cultural, economic and technical construction of the Union. Secondly, Thematic Networks have been a means in itself to stimulate and, where necessary, adapt higher education, improving its quality and effectiveness.”

(Taken from the European commission website)

What are the general aims of the HENRE network?

The motivation and thus the general aim behind the development of a radiographic network (HENRE) is to enable radiographers throughout Europe to liaise about the changing role of radiography, and within this context to develop, harmonise and improve standards of professional practice and education.

Back to top of page

How does the network operate?

Each member will belong to one of four subgroups, and will participate in the work of that subgroup through the year (e-mail is the main means of communication). Each subgroup holds three meetings per year. All groups will follow their own working methods dependent on their areas of involvement and organise activities such as workshops, questionnaire development and course materials if appropriate. The website forum has been developed for subgroup discussion also. The whole network membership will meet once a year at a general meeting, where progress made during the previous year will be presented and discussed, and the agenda for the coming year will be set.

How long are meetings?

Sub-Group meetings can run over one or two days – if the latter is the case then there must be evidence that the work covered required a full two-day meeting.

How do I host a meeting?

A comprehensive pack of hosting instructions will be sent to you by e-mail including instruction on how much of the budget you have to spend on each attendee at the meeting (daily subsistence rate) – this is dependent on the country hosting the meeting.

Back to top of page

What is the management structure?

The management group is designed to ensure coverage of the entire European region. Membership consists of partners from Finland, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta and the UK.

It’s members who are all affiliated with a subgroup, act as a point of contact for each subgroup and the management team. The Management Group strive to work in an open and transparent manner.
The management team are responsible for overseeing the project direction, and are involved in designing dissemination strategy. In addition the group is charged with checking on whether targets are being met and to what extent the impact of the project is having.How is the Project/ subgroups evaluated?
Project evaluation involves project outputs such as publications, questionnaires, courses and the website as well as on-going evaluation of meetings and conferences. Evaluation during the project should allow for changes or improvements to be made to the project as it develops, giving the project flexibility terms of its aims and objectives.

Back to top of page

Am I eligible to join?

We would welcome new members forHENRE-2 from any country eligible to participate in Erasmus programmes. Several countries are not yet represented in the network, and so we are particularly keen to hear from interested institutions located in:

Bulgaria, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Spain and the Slovak Republic

We do ask that you be anactive member of the newHENRE-2 network: we would hope to see you at least some of the thrice-yearly subgroup meetings and once-yearly general meeting; we would also encourage you to participate in the ongoing work of the subgroups.
Please note that that non Erasmus countries may participate in the network, but they would have to be wholly funded by their institution, or find alternative funding sources, for example Tempus.

Back to top of page

How and when can we join?

For your institution to be eligible for subsidies from the European Commission, we would have had to include you in the funding application we have already submitted to the European Commission, you may alternatively join as a replacement for an institution who is no longer a member. Please contact Annali Bone at henre@ucsm.ac.uk who will ask for you to complete and return an application form. If successful, a partnership agreement will be sent to you to formalise the relationship between St Martin's College as the co-ordinating institution and your institution, formalising the partnership.

The partnership agreement will be sent to the head of the new partner institution via the HENRE partner member. The agreement will include intellectual property rights.

Back to top of page

On this page

Frequently Asked
Questions

What is a Thematic Network?
What are the general aims of the HENRE network?
How long are meetings?
How do I host a meeting?
What is the management
structure?
Am I eligible to join?
How and when can we join?