Join ICED
Learn about membership and guidance for new networks.
How to join
If you are leading or coordinating a group focused on educational development, seeking membership in ICED may be a good fit for your group. ICED membership is for network organisations focused on educational development in higher education. There are no individual memberships to ICED. See ICED’s Activities and Benefits for more information about assistance available to new and emerging networks and the benefits of membership.
Before applying, you should review the ICED Membership Background information and engage in preliminary discussions with a member of the ICED board. Please contact the ICED office.
If you would like more information or assistance in establishing a network, please contact the President of ICED or the ICED office. Representatives of Member Networks in your region may also be able to assist you.
Application Process
Council welcomes membership applications from network organisations at any time. Applications should address these details about your network organisation:
- Aims, mission and goals
- Governance and management structure
- Activities and promotion of educational development in higher education
- The degree to which the network encourages open and inclusive membership of all likely stakeholders
- Representativeness of educational community
- Permanent contact details
The application should include a cover letter and the Network Profile form.
Applications will be considered by the ICED Board, and recommended to the annual Council meeting for a vote.
ICED Membership Background Information
Below are additional details that can assist network organisations in determining their fit with ICED and gaining new ideas for their network.
Types of Member Network Organisations
ICED Member Networks are one of three types:
- National organisation: Based in one country that represents members (primarily) from that country (e.g., REDCAD from Chile).
- Transnational organisation: Members come from a collection of countries (e.g. HERDSA for Australasia and HELTASA for Southern Africa). An organisation can also be national in its focus (e.g., POD Network, USA) but transnational in its membership and functions.
- Independent organisation: Where the higher education system is distinct and independent (e.g., SHED in Scotland) and where there is currently not an ICED member network. To ICED, representation is an important consideration in determining ‘independent’.
Importance of Inclusion and Representativeness
Network Membership models and structures
ICED’s Member Networks tend to adopt one of two main membership models:
- Individual memberships: This approach is employed by POD, SEDA, AISHE, HERDSA and a number of other networks.
- Institutional memberships: This model, employed by a number of European and Asian networks, has been successful in smaller nations/areas with fewer potential members.
There are networks with a mix of both models (e.g., STLHE). Also, while most networks operate through geographical affiliations, there are also networks that are based around a common language.
To better understand how individual networks are structured and operate, including governance, activities and finances, you can see each network profile on the Member Networks page. Networks normally start small, building a core of committed contributors who share their knowledge and expertise. As their reputation and connections strengthen, our Member Networks progress toward additional services, such as conferences, journals, advocacy, and professional development.
