The Centre for Co-operative Studies in co-operative education and research

The Centre for Co-operative Studies is a university research centre which promotes education, training, independent research and consultancy in all aspects of co-operative organisation, social enterprise and local development. It is the only third level centre or department in Ireland focusing on co-operatives. Co-operative research and education in the Centre aims to have both an academic and practical relevance. It takes an interdisciplinary, problem-centred approach and is conducted with a multi-disciplinary perspective, focusing on the practical solution of key problems in the real world. This paper examines the role of the Centre in co-operative education and research and explores the impact this has had on the co-operative movement.