This open access book explores the Co-operative College's distinctive adult educational tradition over the past century as it provided education for co-operative leaders, employees and members in addition to developing a range of wider educational initiatives and ideas internationally. The Co-operative College is a British educational charity established in 1919, founded on co-operative principles. It played a crucial role in co-operative education in the British Empire and subsequently in the independent nations. In doing so, it brought together vocational and liberal education as well as educating members as part of a movement that fostered significant social change. It draws on original archival research at the National Co-operative Archive in Manchester as well as other material at the National Archives, Bishopsgate Institute and the British Library. Furthermore, the rich archives of the National Co-operative Archive allow for the development of a rich visual history of the movement to be explored.
"The book demonstrates a well-organised structure enriched with informative illustrations and a comprehensive bibliography. ... this work offers an instructive case study for comprehending the role of educational institutions in social movements. It stands as an indispensable resource for researchers examining corporatism, adult education, labour movement history, or modern British historiography." (Zhu Yuan, History of Education, June 2, 2025)