Research

We investigate a range of topics united by their concern with the roles, resources and relationships of third sector organisations. We are funded through a range of sources as shown by this list of ongoing and recent projects. You can also find out more Information from research streams established in our initial period of operation (2008-14). 

Social and civil participation, volunteering and the National Child Development Study: lessons for ‘constrained times’

  • Funder : ESRC
  • Partner: The National Child Development Study team at the Centre for Longitudinal Studies

Assessing financial vulnerability and risk in the UK's charities during and beyond the COVID-19 crisis

  • Funder: ESRC
  • Partners: University of Southampton, University of Stirling, National Council for Voluntary Organisations

Border crossings: charity and voluntarism in Britain's mixed economy of health care since 1948

  • Funder: Wellcome Trust
  • Partners: Strathclyde University, LSHTM and Edinburgh University

Change in the making: a dynamic and relational account of voluntary action

Community-level perspectives on post-war change in the British voluntary sector 

Funder: Leverhulme

Discourses of voluntary action at two transformational moments of the welfare state

Building the third sector evidence base

  • Funder: ESRC
  • Partner: NCVO

Longitudinal evaluation of Big Local Trust

Funder: Local Trust and Big Local

Civil society data partnerships: big data, open data and the funding base of the voluntary sector

Impact of the third sector in Europe

  • Funder: EU: Seventh Framework programme
  • Partners: University of Kent, third sector specialists at numerous European universities

Defining Mass Observation

The role and community value of community hospitals: what the hospital does for its community, and what the community does for its hospital

  • Funder: NHS
  • Partners: Health Services Management Centre; Community Hospitals Association 

Continuity and change in voluntary action, 1981-