Guidelines of The Forun of Experts in Social Sciences
Name
1. The name of the forum is ‘The Forum of Experts in Social Sciences.
Nature
2. The Forum of Experts in Social Sciences is an initiative aimed at co-ordinating the knowledge and skills of experts in Social Sciences, to contribute to society’s development, especially of the Christian community through research programs.
2.1 The Forum of Experts in Social Sciences is a voluntary association of experts in Social Sciences.
2.2 The members of the Forum contribute their expertise in building up the nation and society through continuous community research programs. The emphasis is on gathering and analyzing data, exchanging ideas, and disseminating findings. It suggests a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to research, which can be valuable in policy making.
2.3 The Forum is owned and governed by the PAROC Research Institute, Trichur. It is subject to the national and ecclesiastical laws and guidelines of the PAROC Research Institute. By being subject to national and ecclesiastical laws and guidelines of PAROC, it ensures accountability, credibility, and adherence to ethical standards.
Mission
3. The Forum has the following mission
3.1 Promote networking of scholars and academic institutes to further research
3.2 Enhance the research skills of scholars
3.3 Address socio-pastoral issues in the society
3.4 Engage in and support community building
3.5 Engage in and support nation-building
3.6 Facilitate researches in inter-cultural studies
3.7 Contribute to environmental Studies
3.8 Promote Interdisciplinary approach in Socio-Pastoral research
3.9 Engage in and promote women-empowerment
Address of the Office
4. The Forum of Experts in Social Sciences
PAROC Research Institute
Marymatha Major Seminary
Mulayam, Ayyappankavu P.O.
Thrissur, Kerala, 680751
Administration
5.1 The Governance of the Forum is managed by the Patron, Chairman, General Moderator, General Secretary, Finance Officer, and the Executive Council of the Forum.
5.2 The Patron of the PAROC Research Institute is the ex-officio Patron of the Forum. Patron is the highest authority of the Forum.
5.2.1 The Forum functions according to the guidelines promulgated by the Patron
5.3 The Chairman of the PAROC Research Institute is the ex-officio Chairman of the Forum.
5.3.1 The Chairman appoints the General Secretary of the Forum in consultation with the General Moderator.
5.3.2 The Chairman nominates moderators of research groups after consulting the General Moderator and General Secretary.
5.3.3 The Chairman forms research groups considering the proposals from the Executive Council.
5.3.4 The Chairman is the final authority to settle disputes and disagreements.
5.3 The Executive Director of the PAROC Research Institute is the ex-officio General Moderator of the Forum.
5.3.1 The General Moderator guides the activities of the Forum.
5.3.2 The General Moderator will preside over the meeting of the Executive Council of the Forum.
5.4 The Chairman after consulting with the General Moderator appoints the General Secretary for three years. He can be reappointed after the said term.
5.4.1 The General Secretary is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Forum.
5.4.2 The General Secretary is the general coordinator of the research groups.
5.4.3 The General Secretary shall perform the functions of major importance after consulting with the General Moderator.
5.5 The Finance Officer of the PAROC Research Institute is the ex–officio Finance Officer of the Forum.
5.5.1 The Finance Officer has to prepare the budget for the Forum in consultation with the General Secretary.
5.5.2 The Finance Officer should maintain the financial statements of the Forum.
5.5.3 The Finance Officer has to plan and source out funds for the Forum in collaboration with the Project Officer of the PAROC Research Institute.
5.6 The Executive Council of the Forum guides and promotes the activities of the forum.
5.6.1. The Executive Council consists of the following members:
(1) General Moderator (2) General Secretary (3) Finance Officer (4) Coordinator of Data Centre of PAROC (5) Coordinator of Research Centre of PAROC (6) Moderators of Research Groups (7) Experts nominated by the Chairman after consulting the General Moderator (Maximum number 4).
5.6.2 The Executive Council has to identify and prioritize research topics.
5.6.3 The Executive Council Evaluates research proposals and make recommendations to the Chairman to form new research groups.
5.6.4 The Executive Council Organizes conferences, seminars, and other events to showcase the research and findings of the Forum.
5.6.5 The Executive Council meets at least two times a year.
5.6.6 When both the Patron and Chairman are present, the Patron will preside over the meeting. In the absence of the Patron, the Chairman will preside over the meeting. If both the Patron and the Chairman are absent, the General Moderator will preside over the meeting.
5.6.7 The General Secretary is the ex-officio Secretary of the Executive Council. He will record the meeting’s minutes and decisions.
Membership
6. Experts in the following disciplines are incorporated into the Forum. 1) Anthropology 2) Geography 3) History 4) Human Resource Development 5) Social Psychology 6) Economics 7) Social Statistics 8) Social Work 9) Sociology 10) Mass Communication 11) Law 12) Political Science 13) Data Science. They are incorporated into the forum in two modes – as Members and as Collaborators.
6.1 Members are the experts in prescribed social disciplines who voluntarily and actively participate in research projects of the Forum without disturbing their academic and other responsibilities.
6.1.1 A Membership Fee is required to join and Membership will be for two years after which it can be renewed.
6.1.2 Members shall contribute to the Forum through researches and publications.
6.1.3 A member may concurrently participate in maximum two research groups.
6.1.4 Qualification for membership shall be preferably Ph.D. or at least Masters Degree.
6.1.5 The General Moderator after consulting with the General Secretary approves the membership requests.
Collaborator
6.2 The practitioners in the socio-pastoral field can be collaborators in the Forum.
6.2.1 Collaborators contribute through their publications, participation in seminars, conferences, and other events organized by the Forum, and support for research groups.
6.2.2 One can join as Collaborator for two years after which it can be renewed.
6.2.3 Collaborators participate in research projects as and when invited by the Research Groups.
6.2.4 The request for collaboration is approved by the General Moderator after consulting with the General Secretary.
Research Groups
7. Research groups are formed of a number of experts who come together with a shared interest or goal in exploring a particular topic or question within their field of study.
7.1 Research groups can vary widely in size, structure, and focus, depending on the nature of the research they undertake.
7.2 The Research Groups are organized for a particular period and purpose. It is formed and dissolved by the Chairman.
7.3 The Executive Council makes the proposals to the Chairman for forming the Research Groups after assessing factors like research area, budgetary requirements, and involvement of scholars and experts.
7.4 Meetings of the Research Groups are presided over by the Moderator, nominated by the Chairman.
7.5 A secretary, elected by the Research Group will record the proceedings.
7.6 The Research Groups will discuss and finalize the methodology of the research project and submit it to the Executive Council.
7.7 The Research Groups can incorporate Members and Collaborators in consultation with the General Secretary.
7.8 Research Groups shall function in collaboration with the Data Centre, Research Centre, and publication of the PAROC Research Institute whenever necessary.
7.9 Research findings are published through books and articles acknowledging the Forum and PAROC Research Institute.
Plenary Session
8 The General Session of the Forum will be held at least annually or at the proposal of the Executive Council.
8.1 Members and Collaborators of the Forum attend the General Session.
9 The Forum is a voluntary association. It functions through the contribution of well-wishers who are interested in the community research programs.
10 Amendments to these guidelines are made by the Patron of the PAROC Research Institute at the proposal of the Executive Council and after consulting the chairman and the General Moderator