Management of ICOS-RI

Diagram of the Management of the ICOS-RI - select to view a larger versionICOS is managed on a tiered basis by various different nations. The ICOS RI is managed centrally from the head office in Helsinki, Finland. Each Thematic Centre also has its own leadership, ensuring that all observations are coordinated at a European Level. The thematic centres are hosted by groups of nations/institutions:

Atmospheric Thematic Centre

  • France: Laboratory of Climate Sciences and the Environment
  • Finland: Finnish Meteorological Society

Ecosystem Thematic Centre

  • Italy: University of Tuscia, euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change
  • Belgium: University of Antwerp
  • France: French National Institute for Agricultural Research

Ocean Thematic Centre

  • Norway: Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE), University of Bergen
  • UK: National Oceanography Centre, University of Exeter 

Nationally there are two management positions, the Focal Point and the Stakeholder. The National Focal Point is an individual recognised by the community to be the main communication point between the ICOS Thematic Centre and Head Office. Specifically the National Focal Point:

  • Coordinates the ICOS activities in the country,
  • Relays information about ICOS RI activities to the researchers and station operators,
  • Should be able to find the right funding agencies, and,
  • Should be willing and capable of negotiating with the stakeholders to find resources for sustainable ICOS activities in the country.

The UK National Focal Point is Dr Andrew Manning (University of East Anglia).

The National Stakeholder is a representative of the country who can liaise between the national funding agencies (NERC, DSIT), the ICOS Thematic Centres and Head Office. The National Stakeholder is also eligible to attend the ICOS Stakeholders Interim Council/General Assembly (the decision making body of ICOS). The UK National Stakeholder is Professor Douglas Connelly (National Oceanography Centre).