5.

INTRODUCTION This research forum brought together 32 information scientists from 10 countries to discuss the theoretical basis of their work. The idea of the forum was conceived by B.C. Brookes, who expressed it in the personal note that follows this introduction. This report presents the schedules of proceedings; an opening paper by B.C. Brookes; three keynote papers and abstracts of other papers subsequently presented; reports on five working groups into which the forum divided; a review and synthesis by B.C. Brookes; and a list of participants. From the outset, it had been agreed not to present full papers other than the keynotes in this report authors are free to publish elsewhere. Subsequent comments by participants leave one in no doubt as to the success of the forum as an opportunity for personal exchange of views. We hope that this brief distillation of the ideas developed will be of value to a wider public.