Committed to the belief that this learning is best accomplished experientially, the A K Rice Institute sponsors group relations conferences as well as a biennial scientific meeting and training workshops. It also publishes selected works in the group relations field. The Institute consists of eight regional Centers in the United States with its National Office located in Jupiter, Florida. It also maintains informal relationships with similar organizations in Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia, and it co-sponsored the First International Symposium held at Oxford University, England in 1988. Conferences, based on the open systems concept of organizational life, are designed to enhance individuals' awareness of group and organizational processes and of their participation in them.
Emphasis is placed on issues of authority, responsibility, leadership, and followership.
In the past, conference membership has included people from business, govenment, law, health care, education, trade unions, social and community services, the military, religion, and the media. Such conferences have proven useful for people in positions of authority or preparing for such positions. The School of Behavioral and Cognitive Neurosciences is a university research and training center at the University of Groningen for the study of normal and pathological processes of the nervous system. Rising Tide Studios is the parent company of the Silicon Alley Reporter. It also sponsors Internet related meetings.