Several Working Groups have been established within the NSI to progress specific areas. The table below shows the subject areas of the Working Groups. Follow the links for more detailed information. If you would like to join or contribute to any of these Working Groups, please contact us at the address given on our home page.

Activities of Working Groups

1. Publications

The NSI publishes Research Reports. Developments within the NSI are summarised in regular Newsletters. Both of these publication types are available on our web site. To obtain hard copies, please contact the office at the address on our home page.

A publication strategy is currently being developed which will have three main elements - the current Newsletter, research reports and short guides. Members are invited to submit contributions for the Newsletter.

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2. Education

Education is a fundamental objective of the Natural Stone Institute. A key object is 'To promote appropriate education and training systems that meet the needs of specifiers, designers, trainees, teachers and the general public'. The education policy of the NSI is to promote education of the stone heritage so that knowledge, understanding and enjoyment are available to all. Greater understanding and appreciation of the stone built heritage will help to secure its future. In the implementation of the education policy the NSI will:

• Engage in dialogue with the potential target audiences to assess educational and training needs and priorities of users.
• Collaborate with organisations that have similar aims.
• Establish formal links with higher and further educational establishments and schools to integrate knowledge of natural stone within the curriculum.
• Prepare/commission suitable learning and information materials for use by teachers, students, pupils and the general public.

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3. Fund raising

It is essential that the Group explores and secures external financial support. While Membership income could be significant it is envisaged that the financial needs of the NSI will require a more substantial base.

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4. Research

Building on the current levels of knowledge, this Group will seek to identify areas of research requirement and establish international contacts. Issues currently being developed by the Group include:

• Development of the research priorities of the NSI.
• Collation of a database of researchers in the built environment field in the UK and worldwide.
• Collation of current research groups and information sources.
• Collation of a list of, and contact with, UK organisations with an interest in heritage conservation.
• The possibility of entering into partnership arrangements with future research projects.

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5. Events & Publicity

This Group has progressed organisational structure papers and these were presented to the Annual General Meeting in September 2002.

The Group organised a programme of Seminars that ran from October 2002 to April 2003. Details can be found on the Scottish Stone Liaison Group's Training pages.

The NSI recently organised a field trip to Caithness to examine the quarrying and use of Caithness flagstones.

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