Seminar: Co-operative studies – national and international perspectives, co-operative research and learning in academia
A seminar at the Institute of Education will ask: “How should we research and teach co-operation? Is there a role for ‘co-operative studies’ in higher education?”
Co-operation can be difficult to place within existing divisions of labour, not least among the subject boundaries of higher education. The study of co-operatives tends to be patchy, located across a wide variety of research interests. In part this reflects the fact that co-ops often embrace social, economic, educational and cultural spheres of life. Participatory forms of business based upon the shared needs of members can challenge the separateness of these divides. At the same time it is becoming increasingly difficult to justify the marginalisation of research and teaching on co-operation. Recent years have witnessed a resurgent growth of the co-operative movement on a global scale – for example, consumer, worker, agricultural, producer, financial and other cooperatives have all expanded significantly. Co-operative ideas and models have also been adopted in a variety of areas including education, health, leisure and new forms of business.
Professor Ian Macpherson from the University of Victoria will speak on ‘Giving Co-operatives their Due: Why Co-operative Studies is Important’, reflecting on the potential for co-operative studies at the present historical moment. Ian played a key role in re-drafting the Statement of Co-operative Identity which codified co-operative values and principles and also established the British Colombia Institute for Co-operative Studies. Robin Murray from the London School of Economics will discuss his recent report Co-operation in the Age of Google, which recommended the establishment of a co-operative business school. Mervyn Wilson, chief executive of the Co-operative College, will talk about ‘Learning about Co-operation in Higher Education’, reporting on recent research looking into the current state of co-operative research in British higher education.
The seminar will take place in Committee Room 2, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0AL, 28 June, 5-7pm. All welcome!
Places are limited. To book a place contact Tom Woodin: t.woodin@ioe.ac.uk
Co-operative studies – national and international perspectives flier
Published On: June 11, 2012
Written By: Natalie
Filed Under: About • Events • Researching Co-operatives
Co-operative Learning