Answering these questions is not easy. Partly, the problem stems from the complexity of co-operative activities themselves: their capacity to be absorbed in other forms of activity and thought, their continuous and confusing blurring of the theoretical and practical, their often weakly defined theoretical base. And partly it stems from the academy's weak support for sustained and serious involvement in communities, the kind of involvement that would lead those involved in co-operatives to take academic research more seriously. Partly it is because any truly meaningful understanding of co-operative activities requires genuine interdisciplinary approaches, always fraught with peril and facing challenges in any university context.

How does one change this situation? It is the most important challenge confronting BCICS. A key part of our answer is to foster the development of the interdisciplinary field of Co-operative Studies. It is not entirely a new concept in that several institutions around the world, both within and without the academy, have used that term. We believe, though, that the rationale and focus for the field need to be more completely thought out and fully developed. We hope to contribute significantly to that process.

In our first year of existence, we hope we have demonstrated through our reports and conferences the possibilities for Co-operative Studies in a variety of disciplines, particularly Health, Social Work, Law, Environmental Studies, Community Economic Development and Aboriginal Studies. Our forthcoming study, Situating Co-operatives in British Columbia, will show how the disciplines of Economics and Geography can also be engaged. Our project, The Galleria, is an innovative introduction to the history and contemporary state of the movement in British Columbia.

In the coming year we will be concentrating on fewer topics but probing them more deeply. Since we have now accumulated a significant research base and the beginnings of a research network, we will be reaching out more within the academy and the community. We will be starting sustained dialogues on our research - and that being done by others - and on how the field of Co-operative Studies can be developed.

Please look for our events, volunteer to contribute to them if you can, join us whenever you have the time, contact us whenever you feel the urge!

Dr. Ian MacPherson is Director of BCICS. He is also Professor of History at the University of Victoria.