We are a gathering of scholars, educators, artists and others who are brought together through a commitment to a fluid and changing group of shared ideas and ways of working that are captured in our current manifesto. We existed formerly as a research centre linked to the University of Bristol and although we do still have links to various UK and other universities (see links page), CANI-net is now an independent international gathering of scholars and others. This 'about us' page includes all the network's current working documents: our manifesto/ constitution and code of conduct and practice.
CANI-net Manifesto:
We are a community of scholars; artists; teachers; activists and others who gather together within (and across) diverse fields of play to inspire; critique; support and artfully collaborate.
We come together at the crossroads between scholarship, art, education and activism, where we both hold our emergent ideas and practices and allow them to filter out across the world in imaginative, playful, scholarly, speculative and artful ways.
We are brought together as much by our differences as our commonalities, as well as our shared affinities with collaborative practices, and with a fluid, emergent and moving set of ideas:
We have a shared history of working collaboratively together in open inquiry spaces; writing and art-making workshops; scholarly presentations; seminars and gatherings; publications; narrative inquiries; reading groups and in the promotion of other activities that encourage what we might describe as our ‘imagination-intellect’.
Some of our currently loosely-held and emerging ideas include feminism; post humanism; post colonialism; ethical know-how; entanglement; speculation; fabulation; not-yet-ness; thinking-in-motion; sustainability; intersectionality; uncertainty and inclusivity.
We value diversity more than typicality; we value relationality and connectedness; expertise and excellence; emergence and coherence; creative facilitation and shared leadership; messiness and fuzziness as much as clarity, and process as much as outcome.
CANI-net constitution:
The Collaborative Artful Narrative Inquiry network is a not-for-profit unincorporated association of members.
Aims: To promote; advocate; establish; explore; extend and participate collaboratively in opportunities for collaborative, artful, narrative inquiries.
Membership: Anybody who agrees with CANI-net’s aims as stated in their manifesto and participates in the network’s endeavours.
Steering group: A small group of people elected (by vote or consensus at an annual general meeting) to coordinate, facilitate and administrate CANI-net’s activities.The steering group should include representatives of any subgroups of the association ( such as the ‘online resources’ group or the ‘events’ group), plus at least one person with responsibility for the association’s finances.
Equal opportunities and codes of conduct and practice: All members of CANI-Net agree to treat each other, other species and the planet we inhabit, with the collaborative respect and attention to sustainability, diversity and equality that our stated aims and manifesto evoke. CANI-net does not tolerate any form of discrimination and all members will be expected to uphold and adhere to our code of conduct and practice (attached)
Finance: The association should keep an account of its financial activities and provide such an account at all annual general and general meetings.
Meetings and events: A) Meetings and decision-making: There will be an annual general meeting at which the steering group for that year will be formed and the annual accounts will be displayed and discussed. Other ordinary general meetings will be called as and when necessary. B) Events: CANI-net members will adhere to and uphold the CANI-net code of conduct and practice at all CANI-net events and at all times when acting on behalf of our association.
Dissolution: The association and its accounts can be dissolved at any time by a democratic vote of two thirds of the association’s membership at a general meeting of the association’s members.
(This constitution was informed by the resource centre guidelines for community organisations: resourcecentre.org.uk)
CANI-net code of conduct and practice:
Purpose
CANI-net is committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and religion (or lack thereof). CANI-net is also committed to inclusivity and sustainability as far as other species and the planet are concerned.
This Code of Conduct outlines our expectations for all those who participate in our community, as well as the consequences for unacceptable behaviour.
We invite all those who participate in our online and offline activities to help us create safe and positive experiences for everyone
Communities mirror the societies in which they exist and positive action is essential to counteract the many forms of inequality and abuses of power that exist in society.
Expected Behaviour
- Treat everyone in community with dignity and respect.
- Participate in an authentic and active way. In doing so, you contribute to the health and longevity of this community.
- Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
- Attempt collaboration before conflict.
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert community leaders if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct, even if they seem inconsequential to you.
- Be mindful of the audience the content is offered to.
- Be mindful of yourself and your boundaries.
Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable behaviours include: intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech or actions by any participant in our community online and offline, at all related events and in one-on-one communications carried out in the context of community business.
Harassment includes: harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, status; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images; deliberate intimidation; stalking or following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour from any member, including those with decision-making authority, will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.
If a community member engages in unacceptable behaviour, the CANI-net may take any action they deem appropriate, up to and including a temporary ban or permanent expulsion from the community without warning (and without refund in the case of a membership).
If You Witness or Are Subject to Unacceptable Behaviour
If you are subject to or witness unacceptable behaviour, or have any other concerns, please notify the CANI-net steering group as soon as possible. You can find the list of contacts on our website:
Addressing Grievances
If you feel you have been falsely or unfairly accused of violating this Code of Conduct, you should notify A member of the steering group with a concise description of your grievance. Your grievance will be handled in accordance with our constitution.
Scope
We expect all community participants (contributors; sponsors; and other guests) to abide by this Code of Conduct in all community venues—online and in-person—as well as in all one-on-one communications pertaining to community business.