Dr. Leslie Brown, Mount Professor and former Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation board member, was awarded the Merit Award for Exemplary Contributions to Co-operative Studies last month in Ottawa. Dr. Brown is only the second woman ever to be presented with this prestigious award.
Dr. Brown’s focus on teaching and student training, as well as her contribution to the advancement of knowledge through publications and research, has greatly benefited the Canadian Association for Studies in Co-operation (CASC).
“It was a complete and wonderful surprise,” says Dr. Brown. “I greatly admire those who have received the award in the past, and it is an honour to join in their company,” she says.
A member of CASC since 1985, Dr. Brown served on the board of the association for the past year and has held many of the executive positions over the years. She has played an important role in introducing new members to the organization, has been active on the scholarship committee, and was involved in most of the annual conferences. Dr. Brown’s research has focused on organizational democracy, social cohesion, community development, and co-operative identity. Most recently she has been involved in researching the ways co-operatives and credit unions do social and ethical accounting, auditing and reporting. In addition, Dr. Brown researches the ways social reporting can be used by co-operatives to further their ability to meet their social and environmental commitments.
Dr. Brown is also Director of the Social Economy and Sustainability Research Network, working with a team of community partners and academics who are studying the social economy. This network is funded by a five-year grant from SSHRC (2005 – 2010).
CASC is a not-for-profit, volunteer based association, which focuses on local and international studies of all facets of co-operation and co-operative organizations.
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For more information contact:
Akiko Lovett
t. 457-6439
c. 441-0505