The Third Sector Research Centre (TSRC)
The work of the Third Sector Research Centre (TSRC) focused on understanding the voluntary, community, and social enterprise sectors and their role in society. Its work explored how these organisations function, their impact, and their relationships with government, markets, and communities.
It was originally launched in 2008 as a Venture-Funded ESRC Research Centre, co-funded by ESRC, the Office for Civil Society, and the Barrow Cadbury Trust until 2014. Subsequent funding came from the University of Birmingham (until 2016), Barrow Cadbury Trust (until 2018), charitable partners (Big Local, Leverhulme, Wellcome), the EU FP7 Programme, NIHR, and research councils (mainly ESRC).
TSRC took an interdisciplinary approach, combining social sciences and policy analysis, and collaborated closely with practitioners, policymakers, and academics to ensure its research was relevant and impactful. It's mission was to provide evidence-based insights that strengthen the third sector and support informed decision-making. It also engaged with national and international networks to promote knowledge exchange between research and practice.
Research themes
- Role and Impact of the Third Sector
- Voluntary Action
- Data & Evidence Gathering
- Financing of the Third Sector
- Service Delivery
- Change and Continuity
Explore our recent work below.
Border Crossings
Visit the project websiteBorder Crossings studies how health policy has understood, and sought to change, the role of charities in the NHS. By developing a collective account of the effects of these organisations in the UK health system, we will change understandings of the NHS and inform suggestions for the future of charities in the NHS.
UK Third Sector Database
Explore the databaseThere is a substantial gap in the availability of high-quality data about voluntary organisations. We are working with an ESRC-funded group of collaborators to improve data infrastructure on the UK’s third sector and civil society.
Our Bigger Story
Find out more about the workOur Bigger Story was a digital storytelling project that documents and shares the experiences of communities involved in the Big Local programme across England. It used multimedia (videos, blogs, photos) to capture how residents lead local change, build community capacity, and address social challenges. The aim was to provide insights into community-led development and its long-term impact.
Impact of TSRC
As one of the ESRC’s largest investments in third sector and civil society research, this Centre played a pivotal role in shaping both research and practice. Our work gained national attention, influencing parliamentary debate and featuring in major media outlets, including BBC programmes and Radio 4 documentaries.
Contact us
Please contact the Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology for further information or email info@tsrc.ac.uk