SECTION E MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP, RESEARCH

NCUACS18.3.90/E.1-E.35

SECTION E MEETINGS, MEMBERSHIP, RESEARCH

All these aspects of OEG activity are well represented here. There are the minute books and circulars (E.1-E.12) and some correspondence on membership (E.13, E.14). The early applications for postdotorals on the basis of research projects agreed by the group are shown (E.15-E.23); of interest also is the chronological sequence of documents under the heading 'Projects, ideas and policy' (E.24-E.35). These reflect the corporate decision-making of the early days, and though not necessarily identified with a specific appointment or grant application may be preliminary thoughts additional or complementary to them.

There is some inevitable overlap with information elsewhere relating to grant applications, building and accommodation, the development of the Interdisciplinary Research Centre and the like.

The material is presented as follows:

E.1-E.12 Minutes and circulars

E.13, E.14 Membership

E.15-E.23 Staff and appointments

E.24-E.35 Projects, ideas and policy

English

The first meeting of the OEG was held on 20 October 1969. Among the decisions then taken were that policy decisions should be settled by vote, that new members could be elected (including members from other universities) and that the post-doctoral research appointments allowed for under the SRC grants should be allocated by the group on the basis of bids submitted by members. It was also decided that the group should meet regularly on Monday evenings throughout the term for dinner and scientific discussion.

This system obviously and rightly laid great weight on the collaborative nature of the group. It was especially successful in the early years as the allocation of a research assistant depended on group agreement, but it continued to operate throughout the history of the OEG and particularly when grant applications called for new directions for collaborative work. The Monday meetings also continued, for business and policy decisions and for scientific presentations and talks.