Transforming Cooperatives for the Future: 20th ICA Asia-Pacific research conference
Description
Cooperatives and mutual organisations are increasingly becoming active agents shaping future-oriented solutions, rather than stagnating in residual or alternative organisational forms. They have a growing capacity to design and govern resilient models that balance economic viability and organisational continuity with social purpose and democratic accountability.
The 20th ICA Asia-Pacific Cooperative Research Conference will explore this theme bringing together scholars, practitioners, policymakers and cooperative leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
This year’s conference will be held at Monash College, 750 Collins St, Docklands, and is hosted by the Mutual Value Lab, Impact Labs at Monash Business School, in partnership with the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP) Committee on Cooperative Research (CCR), and the Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals (BCCM).
The two-day conference will begin with a dedicated Young and Emerging Scholars (YES) program, aligned with ICA country, regional and global initiatives. The YES program will provide a supportive space for presenting early-stage research, facilitate feedback and mentoring from senior scholars, and strengthen regional and international research networks. The second day will comprise a full program of academic and practitioner presentations in parallel sessions.
YES Program Sponsors
The Young and Emerging Scholars (YES) program is supported by:
Conference Sponsors
Department of Accounting, Monash Business School
Useful Information and Resources
- About the venue
Monash College, 750 Collins Street, Melbourne Central Business District (CBD)
This is a world-class learning environment in the heart of Melbourne, designed to support modern styles of teaching and learning activities and student experiences.
- Travelling to Monash College (750 Collins Street)
750 Collins Street is conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne which means you'll find it easy to travel to the campus using train, tram, or bus.
By train
Catch any Melbourne train that goes through the City Loop and hop off at Southern Cross station. 750 Collins Street is only a 300m walk from there.
By tram
Trams #11 and #48 from the north and east of the city stop on the doorstep of 750 Collins Street.
By bus
There's a bus stop directly in front of the building that services routes from the west of the city: 232 (Altona to City), 235 (Fishermans Bend via Williamstown Rd to City) and 237 (Fishermans Bend via Lorimer Street to City).
- Wi-fi coverage at Monash
Monash provides wi-fi services to students, staff and guests on campus and some other locations.
Staff and students
Monash staff and students should use the Monash eduroam wireless service. This is available in most campus buildings, some outdoor areas and student facilities. Coverage and network performance may vary due to building, network congestion and weather conditions.
Guests
Monash guest wi-fi is also available at our Australian campuses, the Monash Medical Centre (MMCC-MHRP) in Clayton and also in Prato, Italy.
Visit the link below for information on how to connect to the network.
Program
- 8:30 am - 3:15 pm
Note: The Young and Emerging Scholars (YES) Workshop
Please note that the YES workshop is for selected participants only, and attendance must be confirmed in advance. The main conference opening ceremony for all attendees will commence at 4:00 pm, with registration and arrivals from 3:15 pm.
- 8:30 am - 9:00 am
Registration and Morning Tea
- 9:00 am - 9:10 am
Welcome
Dr Liyan Zhang (Co-Organiser)
- 9:10 am - 9:40 am
Keynote Speeches
- Dr Sidsel Grimstad, Chair, ICA-AP Committee on Cooperative Research - Ms Heira Hardiyanti Co-founder, MyCoolClass Cooperative; Board Director, Institute for Indonesian Cooperative Development and Studies
- 9:40 am - 10:10 am
Icebreaker
- 10:10 am - 10:40 am
Coffee Break
- 10:40 am - 12:00 pm
Group Case Study Design
In assigned groups, participants design a cooperative research study aligned with one of the five conference sub-themes.
- 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Lunch
- 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Group Pitches
Each group presents an 8–10 minute pitch followed by Q&A. The audience votes for the People’s Choice award.
- 2:00 pm - 2:10 pm
Short Break
- 2:10 pm - 2:20 pm
Feedback and Awards
- 2:20 pm - 3:05 pm
Roundtable: Publishing Cooperative Research
- 3:05 pm - 3:15 pm
Conclusions and Wrap-Up
- 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm
Arrival and Registration – Main Conference
- 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm
Opening Ceremony
Welcome to Country · Welcome from Monash Business School · Welcome from ICA-AP
- 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm
BCCM Industry Panel: The Transforming Role of Cooperatives
- 5:45 pm - 6:30 pm
Networking Drinks and Canapés
Speakers & Panellists
Professor Simon Wilkie, Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, and Head of Monash Business School
Opening Ceremony, Welcome to Monash Professor Simon Wilkie’s career spans a remarkable array of roles that extend beyond the higher education sphere and include appointments as Chief Economic Policy Strategist at Microsoft Corporation and Chief Economist with the US Federal Communications Commission. In 2019, Professor Wilkie joined Monash Business School from the University of Southern California (USC), where he was Professor of Economics in the Department of Economics and Professor of Economics, Communication and Law in the USC Gould School of Law. He was previously head of USC’s Department of Economics and the USC Center for Communication Law and Policy.
Professor Harekrishna Misra, Vice Chair, ICA-AP Research Committee
Host Prof. Misra, Ph.D. in Information Systems, is a former Professor at Institute of Rural Management Anand, India – currently a School of Tribhuvan Sahakari University (TSU) under Ministry of Cooperation, GoI. He serves the Academic Council of the TSU and also is an Adjunct Professor at Development Management Institute (DMI), Patna, India. He is Vice Chair of ICA-AP Research Committee.
Mr Balasubramanian (Balu) Iyer, Regional Director, ICA Asia and Pacific
Welcome Address Balasubramanian (Balu) Iyer serves as Regional Director for the International Cooperative Alliance Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP), based in New Delhi. He leads ICA’s work across the region, advancing the cooperative model through policy advocacy, partnerships, capacity building and institutional development.
Ms Heira Hardiyanti, Associate Member and co-founder of MyCoolClass (a platform cooperative)
Keynote Speaker As a co-founder of MyCoolClass, a platform cooperative, Heira is transforming education by providing an inclusive and collaborative learning environment. Additionally, as a Post Growth Fellow and researcher at the Institute for Indonesian Cooperative Development and Studies, she has explored cooperative models for sustainable development. Through her work, she has contributed to empowering young people and promoting innovative solutions that drive positive change.
Ms Melina Morrison, CEO, BCCM
Moderator, BCCM Industry Panel Melina Morrison is the founding CEO of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM), where she has led advocacy for the growth and recognition of Australia’s co-operative and mutual sector. Her work has focused on capital access, legislative reform, sector development and strengthening the visibility of the co-operative and mutual business model.
Liz Thomas, CEO, Managing Director, Common Equity Housing Ltd (CEHL), and Chair, The Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance (ACHA)
Panellist - BCCM Industry Panel: Transforming Role of Cooperatives Liz is an experienced Board Director and CEO who has demonstrated her leadership across government, for profit and for purpose organisations and her own consulting practice. In her most recent roles, Liz has followed a deep interest in developing innovative housing solutions, culminating in her appointment as Managing Director of Common Equity Housing Limited (CEHL) in 2021. Since then, Liz has driven a broad range of positive changes for CEHL’s 100 rental housing co-operatives and their members and has become a strong advocate for the national co-operative housing movement. Liz currently chairs the Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance (ACHA) and is Deputy Chair of Victoria’s Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA Vic).
Michelle Bagnall, CEO, Bank First
Panellist - BCCM Industry Panel: Transforming Role of Cooperatives Michelle has been the Chief Executive Officer of Bank First since February 2021 and brings over 25 years of financial services experience in Australia and internationally. Prior to joining Bank First, Michelle was CEO of RACQ Bank and held senior positions at Suncorp, National Australia Bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Insurance Australia Group. She is a transformation and change agent who is driven by a deep respect for people and passionate about the powerful combination of leadership, partnership and transforming organisational capabilities. Michelle is a member of FINSIA, a graduate of AICD and has completed an MBA and a Business Degree. She has previously held Executive Director positions on the Boards of the superannuation trustee at Suncorp, and the Board of RACQ Financial Planning Pty Ltd.
Associate Professor Paul Thambar, Director, Mutual Value Lab, Monash Business School
Chair, Organising Committee Moderator - BCCM-ICAAP Panel on Care (Coops4Care) Paul is an Associate Professor of Accounting and Director of the Mutual Value Lab at Monash Business School. Following a strong career in industry in senior accounting roles in banking, insurance and aged care and consulting, Paul entered academia and has had a good research track record focused on examining performance measurement issues in diverse organisational models such as cooperatives and mutuals and non-profit organisations. Paul has led the research that developed the Mutual Value Measurement (MVM) framework and the partnership with BCCM and the CME sector. Paul has published his research in high quality accounting journals.
Dr Sidsel Grimstad, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Griffith University, Brisbane and Norwegian University of Life Sciences
Opening Remarks (YES Workshop) Chair of the ICA AP Committee for Cooperative Research (2026-2030). Published research on housing cooperatives, cooperative education, gender equality in cooperatives, and cooperatives’ role in circular economy. Developed and managed postgraduate degree on cooperative organisation and management.
Mr Osamu Nakano, Board Member of the International Cooperative Alliance and President at CICOPA Asia and Pacific
Panel Speaker Osamu Nakano is Vice Executive Director of the Japan Workers’ Cooperative Union (JWCU) and has served as its Board Member and Director of International Relations since 2017. He is also President of CICOPA Asia and Pacific and Vice President of CICOPA, and has represented the worker cooperative movement at international forums including the UN, ILO and ICA. He has published widely on cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy and was a Visiting Researcher at the University of Tokyo from 2019 to 2021.
Ms Bharti Birla, Enterprise Development Specialist, ILO Decent Work Technical Team for South Asia
Panel Speaker Ms. Bharti Birla is an Enterprise Development Specialist with the ILO’s Decent Work Technical Support Team for South Asia, advising countries on sustainable enterprises, productivity, just transition, MSMEs, social finance, cooperatives and the social and solidarity economy. An Indian national with over 30 years of experience across corporate, legal and development sectors, she is a Registered Advocate and Patent Agent and holds qualifications in law, pharmacy, business administration and labour and employment law.
Dr Novita Puspasari, Young scholar, Monash Business School
Co-host, YES workshop, and Roundtable Panellist - Publishing Cooperative Research (YES workshop) Novita Puspasari is a PhD candidate at Monash Business School. Her research interests lie at the intersection of management accounting, cooperative governance, and digital technologies. Before beginning her PhD, she was involved in the cooperative movement in Indonesia.
Dr Duncan Wallace, Lecturer, Monash University
Roundtable Panellist (YES workshop) Duncan Wallace is a Lecturer in the Faculty of Law at Monash University, with a research focus on corporate law, legal philosophy, social groups and the role of law in shaping economic and social institutions. He has a strong background in the co-operatives and mutuals sector and continues to specialise in co-operatives law and policy, including through his work with the ICA Young and Emerging Scholars Network.
Professor Morris Altman, Chair Professor of Behavioural and Institutional Economics and Co-operatives, University of Dundee School of Business
Roundtable Panellist - Publishing Cooperative Research (YES workshop) Professor Morris Altman is Dean of the University of Dundee School of Business and Chair Professor of Behavioural and Institutional Economics and Co-operatives, with extensive academic experience across Canada, Australia and New Zealand. His research focuses on behavioural and institutional economics, co-operative organisations, ethics and public policy, and he has published more than 120 refereed papers, 18 books and delivered over 200 international academic presentations.
Professor Matthew Hall, Associate Dean Graduate Research, Monash Business School
Moderator, Publishing Cooperative Research Roundtable (YES workshop) Welcome remark, 7 Oct Matthew Hall is Professor of Accounting at Monash University. His research interests relate to management accounting and performance measurement, with a specific focus on measuring value in difficult to measure contexts, such as in mutuals and cooperatives, non-profits, and social enterprises. His work has been published in a variety of leading international journals in the accounting, management and non-profit fields. Prior to returning to Australia in 2016, Matthew worked for 10 years at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Mr Nick Hislop, Managing Director, Mutual Care Services
Panellist - BCCM-ICAAP Panel on Care (Coops4Care) Panellist - BCCM Industry Panel: Transforming Role of Cooperatives Nick is a dynamic program management professional known for his boundless energy, curiosity and commitment to creating lasting impact. With a diverse background spanning the co-operative sector, sustainable development, the energy industry, international NGOs and community engagement, Nick brings a unique perspective to every initiative he leads. In his current role as Program Director, Nick provides strategic and operational leadership to develop, implement and operationalise the National Shared Services Co-operative (Mutual Care Ltd) – a national initiative designed to strengthen and sustain regional, rural and remote care enterprises. He leads the establishment and governance of the co-operative, drives membership growth through targeted engagement and oversees the delivery of a scalable shared services model with replication potential across multiple regions.
Presenters
Details on presenters and papers are coming soon.
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Terms and Conditions
DEFINITION
These Terms and Conditions apply to every person attending the 20th ICA Asia Pacific Research Conference, themed “Transforming Cooperatives for the Future”, to be held in Melbourne, Australia from 6 to 7 October 2026. All registrations for the Conference are subject to the prior and unconditional acceptance of these general conditions.
REGISTRATION FEES
There is no registration fee to attend this Conference, however, participants need to arrange their own air travel, accommodation and local transport to conference venue and back to their respective countries/city.
ACCOMODATION
Options for accommodation near the Conference venue will be updated on the Conference website in due course. Please keep checking the website for further information.
ONSITE PARTICIPATION
Submission of the online registration form is regarded as a firm booking and acceptance of these terms and conditions.
ICA-AP CCR reserves the right to approve the registration for participation at the Conference. Once your participation is approved, you will be notified via email at your registered email id.
By registering for the Conference, participants are requested to make their own arrangements for health and travel insurance.
CANCELLATION OF EVENT
In the event that the Conference cannot be held or is postponed due to events beyond the control of the hosts and organisers (force majeure) or due to events which are not attributable to wrongful intent or gross negligence of the organisers, they cannot be held liable by attendees for any damages, costs, or losses incurred, such as transportation costs, costs for additional orders, financial losses, etc.
LIABILITY
Views expressed by speakers, sponsors and/or exhibitors are their own. Conference organisers cannot accept liability for any advice given, or views expressed, by any speaker, sponsor and/or exhibitor at the Conference or in any material provided to participants. In addition, the Conference shall not be responsible or liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage of any sort incurred as the result of the services or information provided in connection with the event. Lastly, the Conference cannot accept liability for loss of, or damage to, property belonging to Conference participants during the event.
NAME BADGE
The name badge must be worn at all times during the event. Access to the Conference venue will not be granted without the name badge.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
It is the sole responsibility of the attendee to take care of his or her visa requirements. Participants who require an entry visa must allow sufficient time for the application procedure. They should contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate to determine the appropriate timing of their visa applications.
The Conference hosts and organisers will not directly contact embassies and consulates on behalf of visa applicants. However, we will issue letters of invitation to facilitate visa procurement for you.
TRAVEL AND HEALTH INSURANCE
It is the responsibility of the attendees to arrange appropriate insurance coverage in connection with their attendance at the Conference and bring their medical supplies. The Conference hosts and organisers are not responsible for any individual’s medical, travel or personal insurance.
PRIVACY AND DATA PROTECTION
The protection of your data is important to us.
The hosts and organisers will collect and store necessary personal information for the preparation and execution of the 20th ICA Asia Pacific Research Conference, to be held in Melbourne, Australia, from 6 to 7 October 2026.
By registering for the Conference, the parties concerned agree that your personal information may be used to contact you by email to supply information relevant to this Conference, or about other conferences, events and opportunities that the organisers are planning and feel may be of interest to them.
You may ask to be removed from the ICA-AP database at any time.
PHOTOS AND FILMING
Photos and videos will be taken during the event, for example, in a group of people or when presentations are made, or questions are asked, and these will be posted and shared by ICA-AP CCR, Monash Business School, and the ICA-AP websites, social media pages, or other communications channels for the promotion of the cooperative movement. Use of the photographic images for purposes other than those described above or for marketing via the transfer of the images to third parties is prohibited.
WEBSITE AND LINKS
The Conference website may link to other websites and networking tools provided for the convenience of the users. The contents of these websites are maintained by their owners, for which ICA-AP takes no responsibility. Neither can responsibility be taken for the contents of any website linking to this website.
GENERAL
We reserve the right at all times to change, amend, add or remove any of the above terms without prior notice if one or more of the conditions outlined in these Terms and Conditions should be or become invalid. The remaining conditions will continue to be valid and apply. These Terms and Conditions apply to all participants of this event, including speakers, sponsors and exhibitors.
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