Conference 2026

The 57th Annual Conference of the UK Society for Co-operative Studies (UKSCS) took place on Fri 8th and Sat 9th May 2026 at the Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre at the University of Birmingham, UK.

Co-operatives are increasingly being recognised as integral to discussions on sustainability, democratic participation, and inclusive development and the conference themes addressed the historical development, contemporary practice, and future possibilities for co-operatives. Although international in focus, the conference was a timely addition to the current discussions in the UK around  recent political commitments to double the size of the UK co-operative economy. An update on the progress of the UK government's agenda was provided by James Wright of Co-operatives UK.

Our keynote speakers included:

Giuseppe Guerini, President of Cooperatives Europe, vice-president of ICA for the European Region, and chair of the EU Coordination Committee. 

Dominic Kendal Ward, Group Secretary and General Counsel of the Co-op Group. Dominic originally joined the Co-op in 2017 as General Counsel of their insurance business. He qualified as a solicitor in 2006. 

We are grateful to the conference sponsors: Heart of England Co-operative Society, Revolver Co-op, Co-operative Group, and the University of Birmingham.

See below for information on the conference programme and paper presentations.