Welcome

The British Columbia Institute for Co-operative Studies (BCICS) is a catalyst for research, learning, and teaching about co-operative thought and practice. The Institute, founded in January 2000, is based at the University of Victoria. BCICS collaborates locally, nationally, and internationally with other post-secondary institutions, the co-operative sector, governments, individuals, and communities interested in co-operative development.

What's New from BCICS

  • Student Work Study Program

    JOB POSTING: Student Research and Educational Assistant

    The B.C. Institute for Co-operative Studies (BCICS) has been awarded a new Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Grant (SSHRC) for the purpose of supporting the development of three emerging regional co-op councils in British Columbia. Find out more about participating in the project as a student researcher.

  • BCICS Welcomes New Director - Dr. Ana María Peredo
    The BC Institute for Co-operative Studies is about to welcome a new director in July of this year. Dr. Ana María Peredo, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship, Sustainability and International Business in the Faculty of Business at the University of Victoria has been appointed as director of the BCICS. Ana María is a long time associate of the British Columbia Institute for Co-operative Studies. 

Research Themes

  • Harrop Proctor
    Developing Co-operatives
    Drawing on the insights of experienced co-op developers locally, across the country and internationally, our research examines critical factors that affect the success of co-operatives and highlights effective practices to support their development. 
  • Social Economy
    The BCICS, in collaboration with CCEDNEt, is the host organization for the Canadian Social Economy Hub. The Hub is a five year project which seeks to understand how the approaches of the Social Economy can be better understood and applied within Canadian communties and organisations.
  • Co-operatives and Peace
    We examine the role co-operatives take in contributing to the maintainance and building of peace in areas affected by conflict, crisis, and natural disasters. Our work provides an interesting view of how co-operatives are responding to conflict, contributing to democratic processes and rebuilding in the societies they operate in.
  • Youth and Co-operatives
    BCICS seeks to engage youth interested in the co-operative model and co-operation. Through conferences, books and fun/educational online resources, we attempt provide much needed youth-oriented information on co-ops. Our research also explores how youth think about and use co-operatives to meet their social and economic needs. 
  • Co-operatives in British Columbia
    Much of the early history of British Columbia's co-operative movement is unknown and not researched, however through our many collected stories and case studies we seek to show the vital roles co-operatives played, and today continue to have, within the different sectors of BC's economy, rural communities, and among ethnic and religious groups in our province.
  • Credit Unions
    "Credit Unions occupy a unique and important place within the co-operative movement because they are co-op units themselves and can, and should, furnish the financial basis on which to build other co-operative insitutions." - Arthur J. Warwick, BC Credit Unionist, 1943

     

  • Co-operatives and Technology
    The values of the Open Source software movement parallel those of the co-operative movement. All BCICS’s online projects and its web servers run entirely on Open Source software. BCICS trains all its technical and non-technical staff to use Open Source technologies.
  • Co-operative Community Relationships
    BCICS works with community groups and co-operators locally, nationally and beyond to organise educational forums and materials about the co-op model and the application of that model for meeting social and economic needs. BCICS staff and students are involved in the local community and actively support community projects.