Conference 2026 - UKSCS annual conference 8-9 May
Hosted by Birmingham Business School, UK.
The 57th Annual Conference of the UK Society for Co-operative Studies (UKSCS)
Fri 8th and Sat 9th May 2026
Hosted by Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2TY, UK.
In light of recent political commitments to double the size of the UK co-operative economy and renewed efforts to grow the broader co-operative movement, this year’s conference will adopt this ambition as a broad theme.
The UKSCS conference offers a timely opportunity to explore the role of co-operatives in addressing major societal challenges while contributing meaningfully to economic and social development.
Book your place (see conference fees below) and join us in shaping the future of co-operative practice and research through shared insight, critical dialogue, and collaboration.
Conference keynote speaker
Giuseppe Guerini is the elected President of Cooperatives Europe. He is also vice-president of ICA for the European Region and chair of the EU Coordination Committee.
In 2016 he was elected President of CECOP, the European Confederation of Cooperatives in Industries and Services and vice-president of CICOPA, the ICA sectoral organization of Cooperatives in Industry and Services. Giuseppe is also a member of the European Economic and Social Committee where he was rapporteur for more than 30 opinions. From 2010 to 2018, he has been president of Confcooperative – Federsolidarietà, the Italian Federation of social cooperatives, and since 2012 he is President of Confcooperative Bergamo.
In his many years of experience, Giuseppe has been the author of numerous articles on social policies, job placement of disadvantaged persons, social economy, and cooperation and a speaker at many conventions and conferences, both in Italy and abroad, on issues related to social economy, cooperatives, and social enterprises.
Conference fees
The conference fees include refreshments, lunch, and the conference dinner at the Edgbaston Park Hotel.
We have differentiated rates to help us to keep the conference accessible to a range of people and organisations, please select the category applicable to you and complete the booking form below.
Please note: The conference fee is lower for members of UKSCS. Membership is as little as £15/year for student/unwaged individuals and £25/year for a standard individual membership (both types include a PDF version of the Journal of Co-operative Studies). If you are not already a member of UKSCS and would like to join (before booking your conference place), you can do so by following the link below, which will give you details of membership rates and how to join:
We'd love for you to join us - become a member today
Conference fees:
| Members of UKSCS Members of UKSCS day rate (you will be asked to say which day you will attend) | £160 £100 |
| Members (Concession) Members (Concession) day rate (you will be asked to say which day you will attend) Please note: Concession rates are intended for students, unwaged participants, and retired participants | £95 £70 |
| Non-members of UKSCS Non-members of UKSCS day rate (you will be asked which day you will attend) | £200 £140 |
Information on travelling to Birmingham University and accommodation
