Apply for a VSSN Small Grant! Want to run an event, make a podcast, host a workshop, or film some research? The sky’s the limit! The VSSN Small Grants Scheme 2026-27 is now open The deadline for applications is 4 December 2026 VSSN Small Grants are designed to bring together researchers, practitioners and/or policy makers […]
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Event invitation: How to articulate the full social value of volunteering in a profit-driven world?
Social value frameworks help put a figure on outcomes, but on their own they only tell part of the story. This VSSN-sponsored event will bring a small group of researchers and practitioners into one room to build a stronger, shared case for volunteering’s value, based on a real-life case study of a local volunteer involving […]
Board Opportunities
The recruitment has begun to nominate yourself to join the Editorial Management Board and/or the Board of VSSN. I hope that many of you will consider nominating yourself for either or both. These opportunities give you a real chance to shape the future of VSSN and support the work of the journal. You will be […]
Kate Burns’ closing poem “Any Questions?” at VSVR 2026 in Bristol
Any Questions? Thanks for listening. Any questions? How am I doing for time? Can I get you anything? Water, coffee, wine? Pen tops click their fingers and thoughts run from ears to ink… Do I belong here? Err, is this the end of the queue? Is that face friendly? Sorry, where’s the loo? Applause leaks […]
VSVR Conference 2026 Best Paper Prizes
The VSR Best Paper Prize Boundary crossing and elite attributes in European civil societies, by Malin Arvidson, Jayeon Lee, Roberto Scaramuzzino, and Anders Uhlin The panel thought that this was an engaging, well-written, accessible article with clear policy and practice implications about leaders, elite attributes, and boundary crossing in civil society. It was methodologically ambitious, […]
Gulp: a poem by Kate Burns
Gulp Sips of water, gulps of knowledge. Shared air in shifting rooms, an inhale of collective excitement, a chorus of questions, and then… exhaled agreement. The sound of ideas moving pen on paper, The sound of thoughts creating change together, Sentences unfolding maps of hope and plans, “What about you?” and “Yes, I can!” Enthusiasm […]
Call for Papers – Evidence Into Action: Unlocking the Power of Civil Society Research 2026 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference
If you haven’t yet had a chance to submit an abstract for VSVR’26, there’s still time — the deadline is 18 May 2026. We’d love to hear from researchers and practitioner-researchers working across voluntary sector and volunteering research. Details below: Main conference: 9–10 September 2026 | New Researchers pre-conference day: 8 September 2026 | Watershed Conference […]
VSVR conference 2026 Call for Papers – Drop in session on the 29th April
VSVR conference 2026 Call for Papers – Drop in session on the 29th April Call for papers, panel sessions and workshops The Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference 2026 theme is Evidence Into Action: Unlocking the Power of Civil Society Research This will take place on 9–10 September 2026 (with New Researchers session on 8 September) […]
Power Of Us Conference, 23rd April, Birmingham
Power of Us Conference Thursday 23rd April 2026 Birmingham City Football Club, St Andrews, B9 4RL REGISTRATION OPEN! 🎉Book your place now! 🎉 The Power of Us conference 2026 marks the second year of us bringing together community organisations, academics and anyone interested in the power of engagement in research. We have worked with Birmingham […]
VSSN New Researchers’ Pages
VSSN’s New Researchers pages have moved and they’re now easier to find and use We’ve recently updated the New Researchers area of the VSSN website to make our resources clearer and more accessible. If you’re looking for information about New Researchers activities (including online sessions, the New Researchers Day, and ways to get involved), please […]
