What are the costs and benefits associated with networks at different scales?

A South African perspective for marine research

Coleen L. Moloney

University of Cape Town, South Africa

South African Network for Coastal and Oceanic Research(www.botany.uwc.ac.za/SANCOR)

local scale

BENEFIT: www.benefit.org.naBCLME: www.bclme.org

regional scale

Angola

Namibia

South Africa

e.g. BENEFIT, VIBES/IDYLE, EnviFish, Eco-UP, SPACC, etc.

Inter-national

scale

Focus on individuals

Friends StrangersPartners:

Of great interest Not so interestingResearch topics:

LargeSmallAdministration:

Little MuchCo-ordination:

Proximity: Close Far

Similar DifferentCultural similarities:

Local/national International

Some COSTS to individuals of networking

Local GlobalResearch context:

Small LargeResearch scope:

UnlimitedLimitedKnowledge transfer

Restricted BroadFunding:

Legacy: Reduced Enhanced

Limited StrengthenedCultural exchange:

Local/national International

Some BENEFITS to individuals of networking

benefits must outweigh the costs…

Local GlobalResearch context:

Small LargeResearch scope:

UnlimitedLimitedKnowledge transfer:

Restricted BroadFunding:

Legacy: Reduced Enhanced

Limited StrengthenedCultural exchange:

Friends StrangersPartners:

Of great interest Not so interestingResearch topics:

LargeSmallAdministration:

Little MuchCo-ordination:

Proximity: Close Far

Similar DifferentCultural similarities:

Benefits and costs:

Established researchers:

Local GlobalResearch context:

Small LargeResearch scope:

UnlimitedLimitedKnowledge transfer:

Restricted BroadFunding:

Legacy: Reduced Enhanced

Limited StrengthenedCultural exchange:

Friends StrangersPartners:

Of great interest Not so interestingResearch topics:

LargeSmallAdministration:

Little MuchCo-ordination:

Proximity: Close Far

Similar DifferentCultural similarities:

Young researchers:

Local GlobalResearch context:

Small LargeResearch scope:

UnlimitedLimitedKnowledge transfer:

Restricted BroadFunding:

Legacy: Reduced Enhanced

Limited StrengthenedCultural exchange:

Friends StrangersPartners:

Of great interest Not so interestingResearch topics:

LargeSmallAdministration:

Little MuchCo-ordination:

Proximity: Close Far

Similar DifferentCultural similarities:

Strategies for effective networking:

Minimise costs for individuals

Enhance the benefits to individuals

Good co-ordination & communication is essential

Different strategies for individuals at different points in their careers

Implement networks of individuals

(not just institutions and countries)