What we do

We believe in researching every aspect of global co-operation in order to understand the role, place and potential of co-ops in the 21st century. We work with amazing partners and associates who are as passionate about researching the co-operative difference as we are.

Recent work

Our recent work includes reports for Co-ops UK and the TUC that have investigated co-operative social care and how co-ops offer solutions to precarious work.  This is groundbreaking research which puts co-ops at the heart of thinking about future social and industrial policy. We also run dedicated courses on research skills.

We love supporting research which looks at co-operation in many different ways. The Social Haunting/Songlines project funded by the Arts and Heritage Research Council (AHRC) has allowed us to work with Manchester Metropolitan University and groups in Rochdale to explore ways of presenting and understanding lives and communities through song, sound and art. 

This has resulted in participants from Rochdale Young Mind and Bangladeshi women in the Workers’ Educational Association producing wonderful songs and stories.

Events and Researchers Network

We take research seriously at the College. In addition to our conferences, we also have close links with researchers at Co-operatives UK and the UK Society of Co-operative Studies. Our links extend internationally too, with strong established relationships with universities and researchers across the globe.

Research Projects

We're been involved in a wide range of research projects, including the supervision of PhD students and community schemes, such as the Arts and Heritage funded Social Haunting project. Read more about this here.

Consultancy

We offer a wide range of consultancy services, from our Schools Improvement Programme through to setting up an education co-operative. There's more information on this and our other services here.