Evidence Into Action: Unlocking the Power of Civil Society Research
2026 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference
Main conference: 9–10 September 2026
New Researchers pre-conference day: 8 September 2026
Location: Watershed, Bristol, UK
Call for Papers
Across policy, practice, and academia, expectations are growing that research should do more than generate robust evidence. There is increasing emphasis on co-produced, participatory, and impact-focused research that informs decision-making, strengthens organisations, and contributes to social change.
The 2026 Voluntary Sector & Volunteering Research (VSVR) Conference invites engagement with how research on, and with, the voluntary sector and volunteering can more meaningfully shape policy and practice – and how evidence can be translated into action.
Conference theme: Evidence into Action
Papers engaging with the conference theme may explore questions such as:
- How research knowledge is co-produced with practitioners, volunteers, service users, communities, and policymakers
- How power, voice, and inclusion are negotiated in participatory research
- How research influence and impact are understood, demonstrated, and valued
- Why translating evidence into policy or practice can be challenging, and what helps
We welcome critical, reflective, and creative contributions that examine both successes and tensions in making research matter.
Open papers on volunteering and the voluntary sector
Alongside the conference theme, VSVR ’26 warmly welcomes papers on the full breadth of research relating to volunteering, voluntary action, and civil society.
This includes empirical, theoretical, methodological, and reflective work that advances understanding of the voluntary sector and volunteering, whether or not it engages directly with the Evidence into Action theme. Papers may focus on contemporary or historical issues, organisational or grassroots perspectives, policy or practice contexts, and research from any disciplinary or interdisciplinary standpoint.
The conference encourages international and comparative perspectives and actively welcomes submissions from early-career researchers, practitioner-researchers, and those working at the interface of research, policy, and practice.
By bringing together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and funders, the conference aims to strengthen dialogue across sectors and support research that is both rigorous and relevant.
VSVR’26 is organised by the Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN), in partnership with Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC) Research and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), and hosted by the Watershed in Bristol.
Submissions and format
We welcome proposals for:
- Individual papers
- Panel sessions
- Workshops
When submitting an abstract, authors will be asked to indicate whether their paper is best suited to:
- The Conference Theme: Evidence into Action, or
- Open themes on volunteering and the voluntary sector, which include:
- Diversity, (in)equality and inclusion
- Democracy and grassroots voluntary action
- Volunteering, participation and social action
- Advances in theory and methods
- Resources, including funding, fundraising, philanthropy, social enterprise, and social investment
- Organisational management and governance, including law and regulation
- Historical perspectives on civil society, the voluntary sector and volunteering
- Measuring civil society: outcomes, impact and social value
These categories are intended to support the conference programme organisation rather than limit the scope of submissions – VSVR is open to all researchers interested in every aspect of the voluntary sector and volunteering experience.
Abstract submission
You can submit your abstract here:
Deadline: 18 May 2026
We welcome contributions from those working in the voluntary sector and civil society, and from a wide range of disciplines including (but not limited to) sociology, social policy, politics, psychology, geography, economics, business studies, law, anthropology, philosophy, and ethics.
New and Early Career Researchers
Link to New Researchers’ Page here
The conference provides a supportive environment for new and early-career researchers. A dedicated New Researchers Day will take place on Tuesday 8 September 2026, offering opportunities to present work, network, and gain support from the VSSN community.
New Researchers may present either on the pre-conference day or within the main conference. Our definition is inclusive of students, those new to academic careers, practitioner-researchers, and those working across academic and practice settings. Attendance is subsidised for New Researchers.
New for 2026, New Researchers may choose from three presentation formats:
- 15-minute paper presentations, or 20mins if presenting in the main conference
- Poster presentations
- 5-minute lightning talks
Further details will be provided on the conference website.
Want to find out more?
Booking will open shortly.
Visit www.vssn.org.uk or email VSVRconference@vssn.org.uk for further information
