The institution and the network

This thesis explores the 'institutional life' of the Australian Centres of Excellence Programme. The study asks professional and research leads of the CoEs about their observations and experiences of ‘organising’ research programmes in relation to the university. Mapping their stories onto network models as ‘network narratives’ shows that CoEs can grow into a number of different forms of networks. The research finds the types of networks and co-leadership of the CoEs could influence information exchange and how effectively a coherent CoE forms. Stories of ‘odd’ encounters also suggest that the CoE is an emerging form in a complex system.