Each affinity group included eight or nine people from different parts of the country and different experiences with research. Everyone's group was identified by a sticker on their name tag. The groups were Fish, Flowerpots, Puppies, Hearts, Ladybugs, Balloons and Musical Notes.

Affinity Groups met several times over the course of the Institute. On the first evening, they met to articulate hopes, worries and questions. 

At lunch on Wednesday, the meeting was an opportunity to check in. On Thursday afternoon, people met in their affinity groups to discuss what they had noticed and to articulate what questions or issues about research in practice were emerging. The themes became topics for discussion on Friday afternoon, and were reported to the final plenary on Saturday morning. 

The planning team used the rapporteurs' notes from this session to identify themes for further discussion.

On Friday afternoon participants broke into groups to discuss these themes. They considered two questions: 

• What form does this issue take?
• What are some of the strategies for developing this area? 

A report of these theme discussions begins under Closing.

Affinity groups 

First meeting (Tuesday evening) – to make connections and voice expectations. 

• What are your hopes for the Institute?
• What are your concerns or worries?
• What are the questions you have?

Second meeting (lunch on Wednesday) – to check in.
Any concerns?
Rapporteurs fed information from this meeting to the planning team. 

Third meeting (Thursday afternoon) – to discuss three questions.

• What have you been noticing?
• What stands out for you?
• What are your questions?