VSSN membership is for those who undertake research within and on the UK voluntary sector or who have an interest in using the outcomes of such research. At present the membership includes academics, practitioners, independent researchers and research managers in UK voluntary organisations, umbrella bodies and government. Membership is open to anyone over 18 who supports the aims and pays the current subscription.
Benefits of membership include:
- You’ll belong to a network of like-minded individuals who care about voluntary sector and volunteering research.
- A dedicated sub-network for New Researchers that provides a welcoming and inclusive environment through discussion groups and peer support sessions, an exclusive new researchers day at the annual conference, and a reduced rate for the annual conference.
- A subscription to the Voluntary Sector Review journal, featuring the latest research by leading researchers working in this field. This includes online access to all back issues as well as three issues published annually.
- There is direct access to a supportive editorial board, who provide accessible information sessions on how to publish and constructive feedback on submitted papers.
- Access to funding opportunities through our small grants programme which fund projects that support and develop ideas or activities beneficial to voluntary sector studies e.g. seminars, workshops, creative outputs like podcasts or short films. This is open to new researchers, academics, voluntary sector organisations and practitioners.
- A generous discount on entry to our research annual conference (as well as other events), which brings practitioners, academics and policy makers together in-person to hear from different speakers and explore key topics together.
- A vote at any major decisions raised at the annual general meeting and towards the election of trustees.
- Keeping up to date with key information from us, Voluntary Sector Review and voluntary sector research through our twice annual newsletters and jiscmail (where you ask questions, collaborate and share information to like minded colleagues across the UK and internationally).
- Providing support for VSSN to meet its mission statement, including organising a range of events and networking opportunities (many of which are free to attend), providing online resources, and amplifying research on the sector.
Organisational membership adds to the benefits that individuals get. It’s open to smaller charities or voluntary/community groups and requires the approval of the Steering Group. It allows up to five representatives from the same organisation to receive similar benefits to individual members.
