Dr. Paul Thambar on Coop Research, the Care Economy, and What’s Coming to Melbourne in October

What happens when research truly listens to practice?

In a recent interview with ICA-AP, Ms. Shivali Sarna, Head of Communications and Membership Development, spoke with Dr. Paul Thambar of Monash Business School about his journey into cooperative research, one that began with a simple question from the sector itself. Today, that journey has evolved into the Mutual Value Measurement (MVM) Framework, a tool helping cooperatives better understand and articulate the value they create.

Rather than prescribing fixed metrics, the framework offers a flexible approach grounded in purpose and shaped by real cooperative experiences. Its growing relevance across countries signals a wider shift towards measurement systems that actually reflect how cooperatives work.

The conversation also explored the care economy, where cooperatives are stepping into gaps left by traditional market models, especially in underserved regions. Emerging initiatives in Australia highlight how community-led approaches can deliver meaningful, locally rooted solutions.

Looking ahead, Dr. Thambar pointed to climate adaptation as another space where cooperatives could play a defining role, bringing together communities, resources, and long-term thinking.

These ideas will take centre stage at the 20th ICA-AP Cooperative Research Conference, hosted by Monash Business School on 6 and 7 October 2026 in Melbourne, bringing together researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of cooperative practice and innovation.

Watch the full conversation here to explore these insights in depth.

Submit your abstracts now for the Research conference here.