This page last updated 15th January 2021

General Principles  

1. RESPECT

The Society welcomes and actively seeks new members that meet the criteria relevant to its Objects. The process of recognising new members or reinterpreting their grades over time is one that deserves the greatest respect, for it involves conferring the public and formal respect of a distinguished -- for so it wishes to be -- learned society to a person. It also requires respect for the individuality of each applicant, recognising their personal distinctions on their own merits without regard to external factors. The Society's policy on Variety applies.

2. SUPPORT

Membership is limited to those who support the Objects of the Society and the Rules in general, which implies a reasonable interpretation and appreciation of the field of cybernetics and not merely its popular representations. 

3. CHARACTERIZATIONS

Grades are characterisations of members engagement with cybernetics. As cybernetics is diverse and still developing, the distinctions between grades are fuzzy and sometimes the best possible judgement must be used and if necessary reviewed. The membership process is therefore conservative in cases where the evidence is not clear. An individual can always bring further evidence of capability to enable possible regrading.

4. INFORMED KNOWLEDGE

The process depends on the possibility of knowing the individual and that individual's own work (including in a team context). The process requires the applicant to provide suitable information.  Our practice is guided by the following policies.  A) We ask the individual to provide further information.  B) We do a limited search online.  C) We use any known associations for reference.  D) We consider it the responsibility of the applicant to ensure we have sufficient knowledge to upgrade them but do limited investigation with goodwill.

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Grades of membership

Member

The Council may at its absolute discretion elect any person who holds a suitable degree to be a Member of the Society. Members will be entitled to use the initials 'MCybS' after their names.

The current annual subscription for Members is £20.

Interpretation Guidance:  The Council may at its absolute discretion elect to the membership grade of Fellow of the Society any member whose knowledge and use of cybernetics has led them to produce useful innovation(s), invention(s), or novel insight(s) whether theoretical or practical in effect, which is considered equivalent to contemporary higher degree academic standards by any recognised method including any of our own published criteria.

Commentary: A Fellow should be able to extend, use in innovative ways, break the norms successfully in context, or teach others something new about cybernetics. Effects can be on fields outside cybernetics itself as well as within it. 

Fellow

The Council may at its absolute discretion elect to the membership grade of Fellow of the Society any member who holds a suitable higher degree, awarded in whole or in part for a contribution to the field of cybernetics, or who has published suitable contributions to the field of cybernetics of an academic standard equivalent thereto. Fellows will be entitled to use the initials 'FCybS' after their names.

The current annual subscription for Fellows is £20.

Interpretation Guidance:  The Council may at its absolute discretion elect to the membership grade of Fellow of the Society any member whose knowledge and use of cybernetics has led them to produce useful innovation(s), invention(s), or novel insight(s) whether theoretical or practical in effect, which is considered equivalent to contemporary higher degree academic standards by any recognised method including any of our own published criteria.

Commentary: A Fellow should be able to extend, use in innovative ways, break the norms successfully in context, or teach others something new about cybernetics. Effects can be on fields outside cybernetics itself as well as within it.

Associate

Rule: The Council may at its absolute discretion elect such persons as it thinks fit to be Associates of the Society. The Council may at any time terminate the rights, privileges and benefits of any Associate.

The current annual subscription for Associates is £20. However, for bona fide students of courses approved for the purpose by the Council it is reduced to £10.

Interpretation Guidance: An Associate is a non-voting member joining to learn. 

Commentary: Whether early in their learning process, e.g. undergraduates, or advanced in practice or academic achievements, those still learning elementary cybernetic reasoning are Associates.  Anyone with a degree interested enough in cybernetics to have informed themselves about its core working and concepts wishing to join in good faith is probably ready to be a Member, not Associate. 

Honorary Fellow

Rule: The Council may recommend, for election by a General Meeting as Honorary Fellows of the Society, persons of distinction who have contributed to the advancement of cybernetics. Honorary Fellows will be entitled to all the rights, privileges and benefits of membership but shall not be required to pay any subscription.

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List of Honorary Fellows

How to apply for membership

Standing Order Mandate form

Renew your membership

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