Unlocking Co-ops: Revealing the Hidden Potential

What research is being done on co-operatives? Why and How? What are we learning? What research needs to be done in the future? What research should a co-operative university be doing? How can we make co-operatives really change the world?

We'll be exploring the answers to these questions and more as part of our joint research day.

Please save the date if you are interested in co-ops and the social solidarity economy. We need you to share your ideas so that together we can unlock and reveal the immense power of the co-operative alternative. 

What? 

An action research and practice day for those wanting to pitch their ideas, participate in research speed dating (!) and produce posters about their ideas. There will be prizes for the best research ideas which will be voted on by all participants. 

A more detailed agenda will follow in due course and will be posted to this page.

When? 

4^th April 2019 11am - 4.30pm

Where? 

Angel Square, Manchester

Who for? 

People who are interested in, or work with, co-ops or the wider social solidarity economy. This includes co-operators, practitioners, academics, policy makers – anyone and everyone in the movement and those who have an interest in how research can transform communities and change lives for the better.   

Please confirm your place by booking a ticket below. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Bursaries

If the cost of this event is an issue for you or your organisation we welcome bursary applications - please find details here.

Programme

11 - 11.30: Registration and refreshments
11.30 -11.45:  Introduction and aims of the day – what do we want to achieve?
11.45-12.15: Speed dating – research style	An opportunity to meet each other and share research ideas or interests – quickly!
12.15-1pm: Research and the co-operative and social solidarity movements.   Professor Tony Webster, facilitator of CERN (the Co-operative Early Researchers Network) will also briefly discuss the role that CERN can play in revealing the hidden potential of co-operatives.	·         What are the big challenges of our time? ·         What research needs to be done to help support (and critically evaluate) the co-operative and social solidarity movements in relation to these challenges? ·         How can we evidence the co-operative difference?
1-2 pm - Networking lunch and activity
2-3pm  Research Open Hour and Clinic	A general discussion about co-operative and social solidarity research. Feel free to give short, verbal and informal presentations and to call on the room for support and help! We will shape this session together on the day.
3-3.15 pm Coffee
3.15-4.15 A different type of research?	Approaches to research for a Co-operative University – How should we do it? How might it be different? How can we make sure it is relevant and respected?
4.15-4.30 - Next Steps