Ion exchange resins are described that are hydrophilic, crosslinked (meth)acrylic copolymers. The ion exchange resins are macroporous, have a surface area of at least 50 m.sup.2/g, and an average particle size of at least 20 micrometers. Additionally, chromatographic columns containing the ion exchange resins, composite materials containing the ion exchange resin, filtration elements containing the ion exchange resin, methods of preparing the ion exchange resins, and methods of separating or purifying negatively or positively charged materials with the ion exchange resins are described.