1. Reflections on the GEN Network
Dr Nita Muir
Academic lead for Nursing
School of Health Sciences

2. What is a Network
A Network is group of people who represent different organisations, who establish partnerships and collaborate within this framework for a clear purpose
Increase strategic advantage and provide wider educational opportunities for their students and staff, which also includes transnational opportunities. (Wakefield & Dismore 2015)
Provide an essential component for a university to meet key aspects of their internationalisation agenda (Law and Muir, 2006;Leask 2015) .

3. Networks in Education:
Within Europe, Nurse Education networks are varied, with several networks across Europe that are active, all indicating they provide support and collegiality. Each having a different structure according to their context (Bienzle et al.2007).
Nordplus
European federation of nurse educators (FINE)
European Academy of Caring Science
European network of nursing in Higher education
Florence network

4. What creates a a successful network
There is a common and clear goal to achieve which may be interdependent and could be achieved through a mutually agreed philosophy.
The network trust each other which leads to strong relationships and enhanced team working.
The network participants demonstrate the motivation to participate which may be aided by reciprocity.
A clear governance structures and/or partnership framework focuses the network.
Clear communication within the network that can be achieved by clear structures.
There is inclusivity and equity within the network
A successful network is a group of people who represent different organisations, who establish partnerships and collaborate within this framework which enables a network to succeed for a clear purpose

5. Typology of networks in education (not that specific in nurse education though)
Co-operation projects
Strategic impact
Product orientated – focused activity
Looser structure
Minimal Targets and clear governance/hierarchy
Closed Partnerships that enabled sustainability of the network but usually scale of 10 + members
Knowledge sharing
Less clear governance structure.
Open and fluid memberships

6. Literature indicates clear outputs from Networks in Health/Education
Capital enhancement (Resources) (Connelly et al )
Professional Development (Rhodes, 2004)
Organisational improvement (Mujis, 2011)
Collective advantage (Koshman and Kuhn ,2012)

7. How does this relate to the GEN network?
How does this relate to the GEN network?
To reflect on this theory and apply in the following café conversations.
In groups to consider:
What is the core function of the GEN network, what do you wish this to be, what is your vision?
Evaluation of the GEN network – what are the successes, outputs, how is the network managed
What have you personally gained for engaging in the network?

8. Feedback from Café Conversations

9. Develop Social Capital:
A successful network occurs when there are benefits for both the collective group and also for individuals, this can be achieved through different versions of social capital (Lin, 2001) (Bonding and Bridging)
Can promote commitment
Can ensure sustainabilty and encourages distributed leadership
BUT
Needs to indentify what the benefits are for the collective group/individuals?

10. Community of Practice (Wenger,1998) / Landscapes of Practice (Wenger 2016)
Learning through situated practice
Communal knowledge development - A joint enterprise which refers to the common knowledge of the community and provides some sense of identity.
Mutual engagement which is based within a community of people
A shared practice or repertoire that the participants engage in. This can be a set of frameworks, ideas, tools, language and documents that the community share.

11. References
Bienzle, H,. Gelabert, E,. Juttë, W,. Kolyva, K,. Meyer, N,., & Tilkin, G,. (2007) The art of networking: European Networks in Education. Wipplingerstrasse, die berater.
Boyer, E Scholarship reconsidered: Priorities of the professoriate. Princeton, New Jersey. The Carnegie Foundation for the advancement of Teaching.
Gobbi, M Nursing leadership in the European landscape: influence, reality and politics. Journal of Research in Nursing.19 (7)
Gobbi, M Special collection editorial: Education research: time for a renaissance? Journal of Research in Nursing 21(4) 251 – 255
Law, K. & Muir, N The internationalisation of the nursing curriculum. Nurse Education in Practice 6.(3)
Leask, B Internationalizing the curriculum. New York and Abingdon: Routledge. 
Koschmann, M. A. & Kuhn, T. R A communicative framework of value in cross-sector partnerships. The Academy of Management review, 37,
Putnam, R. D Bowling alone: the collapse and revival of American community, New York;London;, Simon & Schuster. 
Muijs, D., West, M. & AIinscow, M Why network? Theoretical perspectives on networking. School Effectiveness and School Improvement, 21, 5-2 
McCallister, M. & Flynn, T The capabilities of nurse educators (CONE) questionnaire: Development and evaluation. Nurse Education Today
Wakefield, K. & Dismore, H The Role of Transnational Networking for Higher Education Academics. Higher Education Research and Development, 34,
Wenger, E Communities of Practice, Learning, Meaning and Identity, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

12. Questions?