BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.2.3.1//EN TZID:Europe/London X-WR-TIMEZONE:Europe/London BEGIN:VEVENT UID:45@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20070516T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20070516T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-may-2007/ SUMMARY:Day conference May 2007 DESCRIPTION:Conference report by Alex Murdoch and Veronique JochumThe VSSN Day Conference on 16 May 2007 was hosted by London South Bank University a t the Keyworth Centre. Alex Murdock (Head of the Centre for Government and Charity Management) welcomed participants and chaired the morning session .The first paper was given by Sylke Schnepf from Southampton University wh o presented early findings from her research looking at the profile of peo ple who donate to charities involved in overseas development (including ge nder\, education and income). The discussion which followed Sylke's presen tations highlighted how difficult it was to understand people's motivation s for giving to particular causes. Her final report is due out in July.The next paper was presented by Mike Aiken from the Open University and IVAR. Mike's paper was an exploratory paper examining the implications of local voluntary organisations delivering contracts to agencies from either the third sector or the private sector. Mike examined more specifically the po tential challenges of sector hybridisation. This raised interesting commen ts from the audience around the notions of distinctiveness and added value .Before lunch\, the VSSN Special General Meeting took place\, led by the c hair of VSSN\, Peter Halfpenny. Peter began by introducing VSSN's executiv e officer\, Matthew McClelland who recently started in this new post. This was followed by an update from the Membership Secretary\, Gareth Morgan\, who informed us that the new version of the VSSN Members Directory was no w available to members. The three proposed amendments to VSSN's Constituti on (i.e. institutional membership\, voting system and deletion of material which is now 'spent') were voted by the members present. Following a brie f update from participants regarding forthcoming publications\, lunch was served.The afternoon session was chaired by Mike Locke from the Institute of Volunteering Research. This session started with a paper by André Este ves Oliveira from the University of Sheffield. Andre's paper looked at tra ining programs for volunteers in Portuguese sports organisations and refle cted upon the increasing professionalisation of volunteer sports administr ators. His presentation provided the opportunity to talk more generally ab out volunteer attitudes towards training.The next paper on volunteering in nature conservation was presented by Nick Ockenden from the Institute for Volunteering Research. Nick's paper commented upon the expert-lay divide which continues to influence volunteering in this field\, despite a growin g number of conservation organisations having a more community-based appro ach. The discussion following Nick's presentation outlined the need to fur ther explore how lay knowledge can contribute to scientific and social out comes.The final paper of the day was given by Ingo Bode from the Universit y of Edinburgh. Ingo's paper looked at how the German conceptualisation of civil society differs from the one prevalent in Anglo-Saxon countries\, w hich is based on the assumption that civil society\, the state and the mar ket are separate. The emphasis in the German tradition is more on linkages and interconnections\, and this understanding of civil society\, Ingo arg ued\, could address some of the limitations of the Anglo-Saxon tradition. His presentation led to a stimulating debate\, which was particularly rele vant to earlier discussions on the blurring of boundaries between sectors following Mike Aiken's paper. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Keyworth Centre\, London South Bank University\, Keyworth Centre\, London South Bank University\, London\, \, \, United Kingdom GEO:51.4976367;-0.10112340000000586 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Keyworth Centre\, London So uth Bank University\, London\, \, \, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X -TITLE=Keyworth Centre\, London South Bank University:geo:51.4976367,-0.10 112340000000586 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:46@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20071128T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20071128T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-november-2007/ SUMMARY:Day conference November 2007 DESCRIPTION:A very successful November Day Conference was held at the Unive rsity of Birmingham last month\, attended by over 40 members and others. I n the morning Peter Taylor-Gooby (Kent) and Mike Locke (UEL) led a lively debate on the role of trust in the development and delivery of welfare ser vices by voluntary and community organisations. This was followed by the A GM\, with the announcement of the election for the Steering Group for the coming year\, with all the current incumbents re-elected. It was Gareth Mo rgan's last AGM as Treasurer\, however\; and the meeting thanked him for a ll his excellent work in establishing a viable legal and financial foundat ion for the organisation.In the afternoon Ken Ashford (former Charity Acco untant\, Charity Commission) posed the question - can the UK model for cha rity reports and accounts provide a basis for worldwide NGO accountability ? And answered – no\, but it could help. Rob Macmillan (Sheffield Hallam ) reported on the unsettled state of third sector infrastructure\, which i f anything has been more unsettled by the impact of ChangeUp (and he manag ed to include a baseball in his presentation!). Finally Linda Milbourne (B irkbeck) made a plea for research on the unsung heroes in front line agenc ies struggling with the pressures of partnership and procurement\, whose v oices should be heard. Then we all had tea and biscuits... CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:University of Birmingham\, University of Birmingham\, Birmingham\, United Kingdom GEO:52.4508168;-1.930513499999961 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=University of Birmingham\, Birmingham\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=University of Birmi ngham:geo:52.4508168,-1.930513499999961 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:47@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20080514T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20080514T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-may-2008/ SUMMARY:Day conference May 2008 DESCRIPTION:The Spring 2008 Day Conference took place at the University of the West of England in Bristol. It was well-attended\, with 33 participant s and lively discussions after each paper. The day opened with Jo Howard a nd John Lever from the host institution presenting findings from their com parative study of the experience of non-government organisations in govern ance and partnership working. They drew on the theories of Pierre Bourdieu and particularly the critique developed by Nick Crossley\, which offers a more optimistic view of the potential for change than Bourdieu. Using Cro ssley's concept of a 'radical habitus'\, they compared the context for par ticipation in Bulgaria\, Nicaragua and the UK to suggest how this affected people's disposition to participate.Hans Schlappa continued the cross-nat ional theme by discussing the impact of EU funding on organisations in Ber lin\, Belfast and Bristol. Drawing on his PhD research at Aston University \, he argued that co-production was a more appropriate term for a relation ship that is more than partnership but less than incorporation\, with the Programme Manager a particularly important player in this relationship. Ho wever\, he argued that a commissioning approach undermined the potential o f this relationship. Both papers highlighted the complexity of relationshi ps both with the state and between the individual and the organisation.Fol lowing these two papers there was a short business meeting. Brief reports were provided on current membership members\, the Network's financial posi tion\, progress in developing a new journal and engagement with the ESRC K nowledge Transfer team. The main business was to vote on a proposed amendm ent to the Network's constitution. This would extend the term of office of elected Steering Group members from one year to three and limit their eli gibility to a maximum of six consecutive years of office. The proposal was carried without dissent by the members present. The morning ended with th e usual informal exchange of information\, with members reporting on the e stablishment of the ESRC Centre for Charitable and Philanthropy\, forthcom ing events and other activities.After lunch\, Pat Jones presented her CASE funded research (University of Birmingham) on refugee organisations\, exp loring the value of the concepts of social capital and community cohesion. She highlighted the enormous reserves of social and 'experiential' capita l on which theses organisations can draw and the skills that volunteers br ing with them\, but also the problems associated with mobility\, language and cultural barriers. She argued that there was a case for these organisa tions to get the kind of recognition accorded to more mainstream organisat ions\, such as tenants' organisations.Pat's paper was followed by a presen tation from Stefan Simanowitz\, who is National Compact Voice Officer for Compact Voiced based at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations. Stefan reported on research carried out to explore voluntary organisations ' views on the impact of the Compact\, suggesting that perhaps the Compact had done more for the sector than people realised. There are still challe nges of implementation but Stefan also challenged the sector and its membe rs to become 'active constructors' of the Compact and to learn to operate it to its full potential.The final paper\, presented by Anton Bradburn and Jenny Harrow from Cass Business School at City University\, explored the concept of 'grant rage' - a topic that struck a chord with many participan ts\, since researchers are themselves part of the grant-seeking world. The y argued that communications between grantmakers and grantseekers at the p oint of grant refusal were about much more than 'just saying No nicely' an d pointed out that sometimes trying to support organisations who had been refused a grant opened the grantmaker up to more challenge. The discussion highlighted the need to look at context\, not only commenting that differ ent rationales for refusal might affect grantseekers' responses but also t he fact that rage might be a perfectly rational response to decisions that were seen as irrational. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:University of the West of England\, University of the West of Engl and\, Bristol\, United Kingdom GEO:51.5005518;-2.547560599999997 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=University of the West of E ngland\, Bristol\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=University of the West of England:geo:51.5005518,-2.547560599999997 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:48@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20081112T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20081112T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-november-2008/ SUMMARY:Day conference November 2008 DESCRIPTION:The University of Manchester hosted the November 2008 Day Confe rence on the specific theme of exploring issues for the voluntary and comm unity sector in rural areas. Thirty six people took part in what proved to be an interesting and engaging set of discussions around rurality and the VCS.Duncan Scott\, formerly from the University of Manchester\, chaired t he conference\, kept everyone to time and guided the discussions in his in imitable style. Duncan has a longstanding interest in rural issues\, from both academic and personal perspectives\, including the role of voluntary and community action. He introduced the day by inviting participants to co nsider contrasting images of 'rural' as displayed by the covers of two boo ks: "New Labour's Countryside"\, a recent collection of academic papers ed ited by Michael Woods\, and "Two Caravans"\, a novel by Marina Lewycka. Th e covers raise questions about how 'rural' is often regarded (as somewhere different or remote)\, and may be changing\, but also how our conceptions of 'rural' may obscure important issues contemporary issues such as ethni city\, migration\, class and differentiated rural places.Dr Graham Gardner from Aberystwyth University gave the first paper\, drawing on research fo cusing on the changing nature of the state in rural areas undertaken over the last decade. For this presentation\, he concentrated on how some domin ant conceptions of the relationship between the state and the VCS (in part icular\, the 'shadow state' thesis and 'governmentality') may lack an appr eciation of rural context. More specifically\, he argued that the relation ships between the VCS and the lowest tiers of the state (for example\, at parish level) were less asymmetrical than in urban areas. He illustrated t his argument with empirical examples from a range of research studies\, in cluding those looking at rural governance\, parish and town councils and c ommunity empowerment. He concluded that a more complex understanding of st ate-VCS relationships was required to embrace different local circumstance s and contexts.Roy Greenhalgh\, a PhD student from the University of South ampton\, then presented a paper based on his Masters dissertation focusing on micro community relationships amongst residents of a small village in Gloucestershire. The presentation was a fascinating example of social netw ork analysis in use\, with graphical displays to understand the complex co nnections and relationships between residents involved in three community- based activities: a village shop\, a Women's Institute committee and a Par ish Council. Informed by social network and social capital theory\, the st udy aimed to examine the extent to which and how cohesive networks can spr ead beyond organisational boundaries. Roy concluded that bridging does occ ur through some individual relationships\, but there is little evidence of inter-organisational networking.The annual general meeting of VSSN was he ld before lunch (AGM minutes and papers available here). In his Chair's re marks\, Peter Halfpenny welcomed the formation of two new research centres (Third Sector Research Centre and the Centre for Charitable Giving and Ph ilanthropy)\, while acknowledging that the processes through which they we re established had led to a certain amount of competition across the Netwo rk and the subsequent need to re-build collegiality between members. The i ndependence of VSSN from the two centres was stressed\, alongside an ackno wledgement of the importance of working with them\, as with all institutio ns engaged in voluntary sector studies. Representatives from both centres expressed their commitment to VSSN.The afternoon papers continued the disc ussion on rural issues. Chris Elton\, a PhD student from Sheffield Hallam University\, gave a paper discussing the development and delivery of rural policy over the last 20 years\, with a particular emphasis on the implica tions for the voluntary and community sector of redesigning rural policy. The paper provided an account of the twists and turns of policy developmen t in terms of successive attempts to provide a coherent and integrated app roach to rural issues. Chris concluded that rural policy has suffered from an unstable institutional and policy framework\, and that the latest poli cy shift\, involving attempts to 'mainstream' rural issues across governme nt\, may blur the distinctive identification of rural concerns.The last pa per focused on capacity building in rural areas\, given by Dr Jill Mordaun t and Dr Kristen Reid of the Open University Business School. The presenta tion was a reflection on some emerging issues involved in supporting volun tary and community organisations in rural areas\, based on an ongoing eval uation of the work of Sustainable Funding Cymru. Jill and Kristen sought f eedback on how two theoretically framed issues might operate in rural area s: the skills required for building horizontal and vertical networks among st voluntary and community organisations\, and the challenge of resource a cquisition\, which importantly involves power and legitimacy as well as mo ney. The presentation concluded by noting the specific challenge of capaci ty building in rural areas - namely working with small\, thinly stretched organisations\, operating within relatively closed networks\, with little spare capacity to develop sustainable funding approaches.Finally\, Duncan Scott rounded the conference off with some closing remarks reflecting on s ome of the common issues raised by the papers\, as well as some neglected avenues for further exploration. A key theme underlying much of the discus sion was the nature of any difference between 'urban' and 'rural': whether \, to what extent and how the experience of voluntary and community action might differ between rural and urban contexts. Some avenues for further r esearch included the role of ideology\, class and gender in rural areas\, the importance of 'goldfish bowl' social relations and the impact of new i ssues relating to migrant workers and the changing demographic composition of rural areas. Overall the papers had the great value of bringing 'rural ' into VCS studies\, and more work was perhaps needed in understanding the different kinds of voluntary and community organisations operating across different ruralities. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:University of Manchester\, University of Manchester\, Manchester\, United Kingdom GEO:53.4665323;-2.2335496000000603 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=University of Manchester\, Manchester\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=University of Manch ester:geo:53.4665323,-2.2335496000000603 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:49@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20090515T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20090515T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-may-2009/ SUMMARY:Day conference May 2009 DESCRIPTION:The Spring 2009 Day Conference took place at the University of Ulster in Belfast. More than 40 delegates participated in a packed day of papers and discussion. The day was opened by a welcoming address from Maev e Walls\, Director of the Voluntary and Community Unit in the Department f or Social Development who gave an interesting account of the challenges fa cing both government and the voluntary sector in the development of govern ment policy towards the voluntary sector in Northern Ireland and said she wished to develop a more strategic and research driven role for her unit.H er presentation was followed by two papers in the morning session focused on developments on the island of Ireland. Nick Acheson\, from the host ins titution argued that devolution in the UK offered an opportunity to extend comparative research on the voluntary sector by using institutional and n eo-institutional theories to predict and understand divergences in volunta ry sector policy and practice within the different parts of the UK. He arg ued that the case of Northern Ireland showed how local factors both in the policy environment and in the social base for voluntary action shaped the way in which relations between the state and the sector developed.Joe Lar ragy\, from the National University of Ireland\, Maynooth gave a paper (wr itten with Freda Donoghue from Trinity College Dublin who was unable to be present) exploring the development of state sector relations in the Repub lic of Ireland during the 'Celtic tiger' years. Rapid secularization and r ampant consumerism\, coupled with the collapse of trust in the institution s of the Roman Catholic church had created a completely new environment\, to which the government had failed to provide a coherent policy response i n terms of developing policies towards the sector as a whole. The involvem ent of the voluntary sector in the 'community pillar' of national partners hip structures was a significant policy innovation that had formalized the role of the sector in policy-making while exposing important rifts within the sector itself.Following these two papers there was a short business m eeting in which the main item discussed was the imminent launch of the new journal. A contract had been signed with a publisher and the editorial bo ard was being formed. A call for papers would be issued later in the year. After lunch\, Paul Chaney from the University of Wales\, reported on his r esearch on the political participation of equalities organizations in Wale s. Drawing on institutional theory\, he argued that there were significant discontinuities with the situation before devolution and that the legal f ramework provided by both equalities law and by the two Government of Wale s Acts\, had provided equalities organizations an increased role in policy -making and had strengthened their capacity. But he noted that there were dangers of co-option and there were worries over the extent of authenticit y of the voice being exercised in these new structures.Pete Alcock from th e Third Sector Research Centre discussed the development of policy towards the voluntary sector in England. His paper drew together many of the days ' themes particularly the tension between 'horizontal' policies like the c ompact and the policy environment in particular 'vertical' fields\, the da ngers of isomorphism and takeover\, and the tension between service delive ry and civic engagement mirrored by the strong centralizing tendency in go vernment evidenced by the Treasury's interest in the sector\, and the rhet orical commitment to localism and empowerment.The last paper of the day wa s given by Ruchir Shah\, from the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisati ons\, who argued that the policy environment in Scotland differed signific antly from that in England. Whilst to an extent Scotland had been playing 'catch-up with England\, nevertheless a greater commitment to public servi ces and the political need to develop distinctly Scottish policies had res ulted in a separate reflective 'space' in Scottish policy-making which had led to a number of specific and distinctively Scottish policy initiatives that did not fully mirror developments elsewhere in the UK.The day was wo und up by Arthur Williamson\, Professor Emeritus of Voluntary Action Studi es at the University of Ulster. He recalled that it was almost exactly 20 years exactly since the inaugural voluntary sector studies conference at t he University of Ulster.Thanks are due to Roberta Madill and her team in t he School of Hospitality at the University of Ulster who provided the cate ring for the day. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:University of Ulster\, University of Ulster\, Belfast\, \, \, Un ited Kingdom GEO:54.6040056;-5.929410700000062 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=University of Ulster\, Belf ast\, \, \, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=University of Ulst er:geo:54.6040056,-5.929410700000062 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:50@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20091202T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20091202T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-december-2009/ SUMMARY:Day conference December 2009 DESCRIPTION:The December 2009 Day Conference was hosted by the Third Sector Research Centre at the University of Birmingham\, although the conference itself was held at Network House\, a refurbished building now run as a ch urch and conference venue owned by Vineyard Network Church in Birmingham. Forty-three people found their way to the venue from the City Centre to as semble in a large room\, facing a stage complete with drum-kit. But rather than take a turn\, Pete Alcock\, Director of the Third Sector Research Ce ntre\, opened the proceedings by welcoming everyone\, introduced each of t he speakers and chaired the discussions. Five quite different papers were presented\, but together they all reported on recent and ongoing empirical work examining aspects of the third sector – volunteering\, impact\, in come inequality\, wages and managing change in the third sector. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Network House\, Network House\, 174 - 178 Barford Street\, Birming ham\, B5 7EP\, United Kingdom GEO:52.47010700000001;-1.8926888999999392 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Network House\, 174 - 178 B arford Street\, Birmingham\, B5 7EP\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X- TITLE=Network House:geo:52.47010700000001,-1.8926888999999392 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:51@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20100519T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20100519T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-may-2010/ SUMMARY:Day conference May 2010 DESCRIPTION:This was the third time on which we at the Centre for Voluntary Sector Research (CVSR) at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) had hosted a VSSN seminar. Some 45 VSSN members and guests were registered for the day\ , which was on the specific theme of 'Governance and Regulation in the Vol untary Sector'.A key feature of the day seminars is that at least 40 minut es is allowed for presentation and discussion of each paper\, and all pape rs are presented sequentially. So unlike larger conferences\, there is tim e for presenters to develop an argument in detail\, and to get into some s ignificant issues of debate with the audience - and there is no risk of a having to chose between papers being presented simultaneously in different rooms. This does\, however\, mean that it is getting more challenging to get papers accepted for a VSSN seminar: on 19 May there was one invited pa per\, but we had to choose from eight submissions for the remaining four s lots - we would like to invite all those who submitted abstracts and hope that those whose papers were not selected this time will consider revising them for a future VSSN seminar\, or perhaps for the NCVO/VSSN conference. The morning session was chaired by my SHU CVSR colleague\, Tracey Chadwick -Coule - this included two papers looking at different issues of charity r egulation. I took over the chair in the afternoon for three papers linked to issues of governance.The day began with a welcome from Professor Mike S mith\, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Transfer\, Sheffield Hallam University and I then presented a brief introduction to the day wh ich I called Governance and Regulation of the Voluntary Sector: Current is sues and research themes. This was followed by an invited "keynote" paper on Reforming Gift Aid: Estimating the effects for donors and charities by Kimberley Scharf from Warwick University and Sarah Smith of the University of Bristol. Sarah explained the background to this key research undertake n for HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs and showed how the study expl ored the impact of possible changes to the regulatory system around gift a id relief for higher rate tax payers. The findings revealed some interesti ng conclusions around donor behaviour in the different scenarios. This was one of the first papers VSSN has received from an economics discipline. ( See below for the abstract and a link to the full report of this study fro m HM Treasury.)The second morning paper was from Alison Dunn\, Newcastle U niversity Law School on The impact of counter-terrorism regulation on char ities and their governance. Alison's paper looked at a range of unexpected consequences of counter-terrorism legislation on charities\, especially t hose working overseas in zones of conflict\, drawing on an extensive analy sis of the legislation. In particular\, she highlighted the enormous burde ns placed on charity trustees by such legislation.The morning concluded\, as usual with a VSSN Business Meeting which was chaired by Colin Rochester (VSSN Vice-Chair) in the absence of Chris Cornforth (VSSN Chair). There w ere no items requiring formal decision by members\, but the business meeti ng was used to mark two very significant events in the life of VSSN:1. The first issue of the VSSN-supported journal\, Voluntary Sector Review had n ow appeared - all paid-up VSSN members had received their copies a few wee ks previously. The editor\, Peter Halfpenny\, spoke about its significance \, and encouraged members and others to continue the flow of high quality papers (full research articles and/or items for the "practice" and "policy " sections).2. The VSSN Steering Group had just completed the tendering pr ocess to find a new VSSN Executive Officer\, following completion of the i nitial three years of service provided by the Association of University Ad ministrators. The contract to continue the work had been won by Dr Siona L iff of the Derbyshire-based company Appleby Ltd. Sonia was present at the seminar and spoke briefly to members.At lunchtime\, participants moved int o an adjacent room for a buffet lunch provided by SHU Catering Services an d ample time for networking.The afternoon session comprised three papers. We began with Governance issues in voluntary organisations with local-nati onal structures by Paul Robson of Age Concern and Chris Cornforth of the O pen University Business School. As mentioned\, Chris was unable to attend but Paul presented some of the conflicts and dilemmas in complex organisat ions with group or federal structures\, drawing especially on the experien ce of the Age Concern Federation\, and the issues arising as a result of A ge Concern England merging with Help the Aged to form Age UK.The middle pa per for the afternoon was Governance as dialogue - working across divide c ommunities presented by Christina Schwabenland of London Metropolitan Univ ersity. Christina's paper took governance to a new level\, looking at the work voluntary organisations working across religious and communal divides in three countries: India\, Israel/Palestine and Ireland. She proposed th e theoretical construct of the "dialogic" organisation\, which provided a means for different communities to enter into dialogue and work together t hough a voluntary organisation established with governance across two comm unities.The final afternoon paper was presented by Rachel Casiday\, of Dep artment of Voluntary Sector Studies\, University of Wales\, Lampeter (co-a uthored with her colleague Mike Hemmings who could not be present). She pr esented new research on The Compact in a paper entitled The Compact: Power and the embedding of the Voluntary Sector in changing concepts of public governance. This took us beyond the governance of individual voluntary org anisations into broader issues of public governance using various literatu re on power to explain issues in the operation of The Compact in different situations.All five papers provoked a wide range of questions. At the end \, all the speakers (apart from Sarah Smith who had had to leave early) ca me together for a brief final plenary. Despite the different foci of the p aper\, a theme began to emerge linked to Christina's dialogic model: in ev ery case there were issues of voluntary organisations forming vital bridge s where they had to steer patterns on governance between conflicting inter ests of donors and taxpayers\, regulators and beneficiaries\, local and na tional stakeholders\, or charities and funders.At the end of the day thank s were expressed to all participants\, and to the SHU colleagues involved. Following the close of the formal session\, many participants continued d iscussions over tea while the VSSN Steering Group adjourned for business. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Centre for Voluntary Sector Research (CVSR)\, Sheffield Hallam Uni versity\, Sheffield\, Centre for Voluntary Sector Research (CVSR)\, Sheffi eld Hallam University\, Sheffield\, \, \, United Kingdom GEO:53.3784202;-1.4656122000000096 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Centre for Voluntary Sector Research (CVSR)\, Sheffield Hallam University\, Sheffield\, \, \, Unite d Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Centre for Voluntary Sector Research (CVSR)\, Sheffield Hallam University\, Sheffield:geo:53.3784202,-1.4656122 000000096 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:52@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20101201T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20101201T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-december-2010/ SUMMARY:Day conference December 2010 DESCRIPTION:The snow was blocking the train lines and there were arctic con ditions in places. Despite this over 50 people were present at the VSSN Da y Seminar which was held on the 1 December 2010 - with standing room only at times. The Institute for Voluntary Action Research (IVAR) was pleased t o host the event with thanks to Esmée Fairburn Foundation for providing u s with a comfortable room with a startling view over London.Here are a few reflections from those who attended and took part:'...the Conference was fantastic: the venue and food was great and I loved the programme - partic ularly the section for New Researchers... it was always one of the origina l intentions of VSSN to encourage new researchers to present.'Andri Soteri -Proctor (University of Birmingham)'...a good mix of presentations and a c hance to meet some new people and catch up with some I hadn't seen for age s...I was particularly interested in the various insights on 'the Big Soci ety'. Alongside this\, the presentations on volunteering and volunteer man agement reminded me that\, while the political context may change\, questi ons about volunteer involvement and the position of their managers are ong oing. Some things change\; others remain the same!'Romayne Hutchison (IVAR )'As an international visitor\, attending the VSSN event was an excellent opportunity to network with experienced and emerging UK voluntary sector r esearchers. A great balance of topical and longer-term research projects. An interesting and thought provoking insight into the current challenges f or the UK voluntary sector. Impressed so many people made it through the s now and transport chaos\, and a warm welcome was provided by the hosts and colleagues.'Karen Smith (Victoria University of Wellington)'It was great to be in a room full of supportive people involved in wrestling similar cr ocodiles to me. The Big Society session was especially fascinating and ill ustrates how much things are in flux and up in the air. By contrast it was wonderful to speak to a colleague from Birkbeck teaching community develo pment over lunch. After all the Big Society talk that felt really groundin g.'Sanjiv Lingayah (London School of Economics)'The event was extremely in teresting but I particularly enjoyed the plenary session on the Big Societ y. It made me think about the emerging discourses in a different way and I now want to explore in more detail what it may mean for the Voluntary Sec tor.'Ellen Hawkins (Sheffield Hallam University)Thanks to all those who su bmitted abstracts. There was double the number of possible papers for the event so we were not able to offer everyone a slot. At this event we aimed to offer spaces for researchers in both academic and practitioner setting s\, to new and emerging scholars\, and to international contributors. If y ou were unlucky this time please do submit again. Also please book early t o avoid disappointment. The next VSSN Day Seminar will be organised by Chr is Cornforth (our VSSN chair) and colleagues at the Open University on Thu rsday 19th May 2011.Our presenters and panel members included Janet Newman (The Open University)\, Pete Alcock (University of Birmingham) and Karl W ilding (NCVO) on the Big Society. Bryan Collis (Wales Council for Voluntar y Action) presented an account of 'The Credit Crunch\, Recession\, Recover y and Public Sector Cuts: effects on third sector organisations in Wales.' Chris Cornforth (VSSN chair) kicked off VSSN seventh AGM where we heard of the considerable achievements of the year. The successful launch and firs t three issues of the VSSN journal is a major step forward steered by Pete r Halfpenny. We were all encouraged to seek subscriptions from our librari es and organisations and also to seek additional members from the research and practitioner community in this sector. Further details including the formal AGM papers\, agenda and Chris' informative presentation slides are available here.After a sumptuous lunch and frantic networking we heard Rob MacMillan (University of Birmingham) on 'Transforming the Voluntary Secto r: a perpetual work-in- progress machine?'. We were pleased to welcome Kar en Smith (Victoria University of Wellington) who presented her research in progress on 'Falling into a Career in the Voluntary Sector: Career pathwa ys and identity of volunteer managers in New Zealand.' Three new and emerg ing scholars presented short papers. 'On Our Doorsteps: Neighbourly relati ons between campus and community' by Ceri Davies (University of Brighton)\ ; 'Contextualising Partnerships for a Developing Third Sector: Case study on developments on researching networked NGO practices in Bulgaria' by Mar iana Bogdanova (Cass Business School)' and Eddy Hogg (Northumbria Universi ty) on 'The Demographic Opportunity: Volunteering in older age.'Thanks als o to all those who chaired session: Ben Cairns (IVAR)\, Margaret Harris (I VAR)\, Véronique Jochum (NCVO)\, Andri Soteri-Proctor (University of Birm ingham)\, Colin Rochester (Roehampton University). Diana Wray\, Eliza Buck ley (IVAR) along with William Ackah (Birkbeck) helped in organising and se tting up with Sonia Liff (VSSN Office). Many people helped us tidy the roo m at the end! CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Esmée Fairburn Foundation\, London\, Esmée Fairburn Foundation\, London\, \, United Kingdom GEO:51.52414590000001;-0.12969810000004145 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Esmée Fairburn Foundation\ , London\, \, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Esmée Fairburn F oundation\, London:geo:51.52414590000001,-0.12969810000004145 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:53@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20110519T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20110519T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-may-2011/ SUMMARY:Day conference May 2011 DESCRIPTION:Around 30 people attended the VSSN Day Conference hosted by The Open University Business School in Milton Keynes. Despite a chilly start with some overactive air conditioning\, there was plenty of discussion res ulting from the morning's presentations by Rob Paton on Civil society: som e gaps in the maps (and why they matter) and Colin Rochester on 'It has ne ver been like this and now it is exactly the same again': Problems in sust aining policy innovations: The case of the Compact.After lunch\, we heard two presentations relating to the theme of new forms of voluntary action a nd focusing on the role of paid and unpaid internships and volunteer manag ers. These papers generated much debate particularly around the issue of w hether these roles presented new opportunities or exploitation. Martha Cad dell and Rosemarie McIlwhan talked about Internships in the Third Sector: Encouraging new forms of engagement or papering over the funding gaps? and Nick Ockenden presented Voluntary volunteer management – 'new form' or return to the roots of voluntary action.Thanks to Pete Alcock and Rob Macm illan for chairing the sessions and all those who attended and participate d in the lively discussions. Also thanks to Sonia Liff and Veronique Jochu m for organizing things at VSSN and our colleagues at the Open University Business School for organising lunches\, the room\, paperwork and buses to and from Milton Keynes station. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:The Open University Business School\, The Open University Business School\, Milton Keynes\, United Kingdom GEO:52.0406224;-0.7594171000000642 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Open University Busines s School\, Milton Keynes\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=The O pen University Business School:geo:52.0406224,-0.7594171000000642 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:54@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20111201T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20111201T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-december-2011/ SUMMARY:Day conference December 2011 DESCRIPTION:The Day Conference proved to be a successful and stimulating ev ent and the four papers covered much ground. There were contributions from both within and outside the UK\; papers on both the voluntary sector as a whole\, and on the sub-sector of faith-based organisations\; and demonstr ations of a range of methods and approaches. The structure of the day prov ided an opportunity for discussion\, both after each paper\, and over coff ee and lunch.The first paper was a contribution by Sibylle Studer\, from t he Centre of Philanthropy at the University of Basel\, who presented the p lans for a challenging research project on Swiss voluntary organisations a nd the ways in which they manage their volunteer resources and co-ordinate volunteer activity. In particular\, the paper explained the project's aim to explore the relationship between organisations and their volunteers wi th a view to understanding factors that underpin organisational environmen ts within which volunteerism is 'nurtured'. Highlighting the management cy cle\, attitudes to volunteers\, organisational features and volunteering ' outcomes' as key\, Sibylle outlined a research agenda that included both s urveys and focus groups as a means of operationalising and understanding t he relationship between voluntary organisations and their volunteers.Jane Winter\, from the Faith Based Regeneration Network\, provided the second p aper\, based on recently completed work\, and focussing on governance mech anisms within faith-based voluntary organisations. In particular\, Jane pr ovided a reflection on the successes and hurdles surrounding the use of qu ality standards tools used to look at effective governance in faith-based organisations. The project drew its data from in depth work with 7 faith-b ased groups that applied the Community Matters' 'VISIBLE' tool to help the m evidence and improve good practice. Jane's paper emphasised the need for governance tools to take account of the relationships within the organisa tion\, and between the organisation and its community which are inherent i n the organisations' mission and ways of working\, and that these tools sh ould be based on and rooted in community development principles. VISIBLE e nabled organisations to see governance\, and working to appropriate polici es\, as integral to the organisation rather than a barrier to the performa nce of the organisation. During questions\, Jane added that the project ha d provided insights that were applicable to governance practices in the vo luntary sector as a whole\, but also insights specific to faith settings.T he third paper\, by Daiga Kamerade from the University of Salford\, was an examination of patterns of activity in voluntary organisations and the im plications of these in the context of coalition policy drives and the 'Big Society' agenda. Using the British Household Panel Survey data between 19 91 and 2007 allowed Daiga to put forward a dynamic picture of participatio n in voluntary organisations and to compare it to the static picture provi ded by cross-sectional data. The paper tested whether the approximately 45 % of the population (captured by successive waves of cross-sectional data) who report not participating in such organisations at any one time are in fact participants at some point when looked at using a life-course approa ch. Grouping individuals into persistent abstainers\, one-off\, transitory \, intermediary and committed participants\, Daiga showed that there are f ar fewer numbers of abstainers when looked at using a longitudinal approac h – 13% as compared to the 45% that are suggested by cross-sectional dat a. Concluding that people really do dip in and out of volunteering over ti me\, the paper considered the potential policy implications\, highlighting the importance of sustainable retention practices\, rather than simply fo cussing on recruitment.The last talk of the day was given by Graham Smith on behalf of Rebecca Edwards\, both from the Third Sector Research Centre at the University of Southampton. Along with a colleague\, Milena Buchs\, Rebecca and Graham have carried out an analysis of English policy document s and interviews with key policy actors to examine the trajectory of polic y discourse regarding the Third Sector and the environment. Tracing policy initiatives from the New Labour years through to present day\, the paper reflected on political discourse around the take up of the environment age nda in the context of the Third Sector and government's role in its rise a nd\, more recently\, stagnation and decline. The paper argued that the Thi rd Sector's reaction to the Coalition's policy has turned agnostic\, or ev en antagonistic in England\, yet it highlighted that this picture differed in other parts of the UK. In forecasting the future of the big 'green soc iety'\, and the extent of government's involvement in it\, it was suggeste d that Third Sector organisations may soon have to be prepared for the imp lementation of sustainable procurement practices.The day was split in two by the VSSN AGM and lunch. Amongst other insights\, the former confirmed t hat VSSN is going strong and is financially secure – welcome news in thi s climate. Attention was drawn to Voluntary Sector Review\, the VSSN's new international journal\, and thanks were extended to retiring members as w ell as welcome extended to those newly elected. Amongst other delights\, t he latter included sandwiches and a chance to chat about the morning's pap ers. The conference proceedings gave way to a meeting of the VSSN Steering group\, and contented participants made their way home. As a first-time a ttender of a VSSN conference\, I must say that I found it an energising ev ent and a welcoming group\, and I look forward to the next opportunity to hear from colleagues in the Network. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Third Sector Research Centre\, University of Southampton\, Third S ector Research Centre\, University of Southampton\, Southampton\, \, \, United Kingdom GEO:50.935741;-1.396638 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Third Sector Research Centr e\, University of Southampton\, Southampton\, \, \, United Kingdom;X-APP LE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Third Sector Research Centre\, University of Southam pton:geo:50.935741,-1.396638 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:55@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20120523T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20120523T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-may-2012/ SUMMARY:Day conference May 2012 DESCRIPTION:The agenda was packed\, the room was full\, the presentations w ere stimulating\, and the discussion lively. Definitely a day conference w orth attending.With Pete Alcock in the chair\, the first half of the day i ncluded two papers. Matthew Bennett presented findings from his PhD resear ch which explored volunteering\, religiosity and religious context. Matthe w's research is one of the first serious quantitative studies of the links between religion and volunteering in the UK. Drawing mainly on the Britis h Social Attitudes Survey\, Matthew tested six hypotheses and concluded\, for example\, that the likelihood of volunteering increases if a person is religious\; that service attendance increases the likelihood of volunteer ing\; and that the devoutness of a local authority is not a significant pr edictor of volunteering\, but religious diversity within a local authority increases the likelihood of volunteering. The conclusions might not all b e completely new to those involved in volunteering\, but having such stron g evidence to back up or indeed challenge previously held assumptions is n ew.Rebecca Taylor and Malin Arvidson were next to the floor to present fin dings from TSRC's Real Times\, longitudinal qualitative research\, on how charities are managing change in times of crisis. The presentation focused on organisational narratives – how staff are experiencing\, articulatin g and making sense of the changing context within which they are working. While rarely talking about 'crisis'\, staff expressed their anxieties by t alking about their fears\, worries and sense of uncertainty often connecte d to specific issues they were currently facing. Alongside these stories o f anxiety\, however\, were also those of opportunity and resilience. The s ense we were left with was that change was something of a constant for vol untary organisations – something which causes stress and even anger for staff\, but which can be viewed positively or more often is something whic h simply has to be lived with.Before lunch\, there was a short VSSN busine ss meeting\, within which a considerable number of upcoming seminars\, con ferences and workshops were highlighted.Cathy Pharoah took the chair for t he afternoon session\, efficiently guiding us through three papers. Lynn H ancock was first up\, presenting a paper co-authored with Louise Hardwick\ , on the big society and volunteering. Arguing that volunteering levels ar e low in low income communities (and high in rural communities)\, and that the most deprived areas which are most reliant on local authority fundin g are disproportionately affected by cuts\, the suggestion was that big so ciety discourses and policies are disguising or indeed reinforcing inequal ities. The paper introduced the idea of 'compulsion volunteering'\, sugges ting that certain people (e.g. women) are increasingly compelled to volunt eer to counter social injustice. It brought to my mind a research responde nt who once said to me: 'this is not volunteering\, this is desperation' …. I for one will watch out with interest for the research which tests o ut some of the exploratory ideas presented in this paper.Katie Bruce and P auline Leonard presented fascinating early findings from their ethnographi c study of working lives within the third sector. With data from paid staf f and volunteers at all levels within six case study organisations\, the p aper focused on different career trajectories – on movements into the se ctor\, the role of volunteering in this\, and issues of boundary crossing. A considerable variety of routes used by people to 'get in' to and 'get o n' in third sector jobs were highlighted. Through discussion at the end it was suggested that the complexity of the picture in the voluntary sector may contrast with the rather more formal career hierarchy found in the pub lic and private sectors.Bravely taking the last slot of the afternoon\, Je nny Harlock did a sterling job of keeping the audience's attention\, with a stimulating paper on the relationship between the voluntary sector and t he state in public service delivery. Drawing on interview data from her Ph D research with adult social care providers and commissioners in the UK\, Jenny was able to highlight some of the anxieties\, stress\, tensions and dilemmas that voluntary organisations and their staff are facing in light of the changing nature of adult social care\, the changing role of the vol untary sector in public service delivery\, and the current context of reso urce scarcity. One of the issues highlighted was the increasing polarisati on of the workforce\, with a growing differentiation between paid staff an d volunteer roles – although in some cases the difference was clearer on paper than it was in practice. The research also found that rather than r educing or withholding provision in the face of funding cuts and increasin g demand\, organisations were found to be 'stretching' provision.All in al l the five papers covered a lot of ground\, although there were a number o f common themes that emerged\, including for example: complexity\; challen ge\; change\; tensions\; dilemmas\; assumptions\; boundary crossing\; the nature of volunteering\; and the experience of working within the sector. Many thanks to all who organised\, presented\, discussed and generally hel ped to create such a thought-provoking day. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Third Sector Research Centre\, University of Birmingham\, Third Se ctor Research Centre\, University of Birmingham\, Birmingham\, \, United Kingdom GEO:52.4508168;-1.930513499999961 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Third Sector Research Centr e\, University of Birmingham\, Birmingham\, \, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RAD IUS=100;X-TITLE=Third Sector Research Centre\, University of Birmingham:ge o:52.4508168,-1.930513499999961 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:56@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20121204T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20121204T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-december-2012/ SUMMARY:Day conference December 2012 DESCRIPTION:Just over 30 people gathered in the Committee Room of Cardiff U niversity (very posh) to discuss five papers relating to different aspects of the voluntary sector.First up was Alex Murdock\, who challenged the au dience with a paper reporting the negotiations between large private compa nies engaged in the work programme and sector representatives\, to agree a 'compact'. This sparked lively discussion regarding issues of power and t he desire for large organisations (like government) to deal with large org anisations (of whatever sector). This was followed by Rebecca Rumbul's pap er on the ability of third sector organisations to get involved in EU fund ed programmes in Wales. The thesis was that those organisations that had t he capacity\, and skills\, to become embedded in the process were far more likely to receive funding from it. This had similar themes to Alex's pape r\, where the ability of organisations to act like or mix with public or p rivate sector organisations becomes an important factor in their 'success' or 'sustainability'.After a break for lunch\, we turned to the issues fac ing smaller organisations. The way a 40 year old campaigning organisation was adapting to social media and online campaigning was described by Amy B urbage\, who appropriately used Prezi\, an online presentation format\, to guide us through her presentation. The tensions between older\, founder\, members and younger\, more internet-savy campaigners were clear\, and the question of whether the technology was driving the change\, or the realit ies of how effective campaigns work today was posed. Issues of democracy a nd digital exclusion were also apparent. This led on to a paper considerin g 'critical incidents' in the lives of lunch clubs. Eileen Spencer\, showe d evidence of the way grass roots organisations function\, and some of the risks and vulnerabilities that this brought. Aiming to 'break even' is OK in a stable world\, but current uncertainties mean it is unlikely to be a sustainable strategy. The potential for these community organisations to enable people to grow old healthily was also stated\, making their sustain ability a matter for public health planning. DayConference04Dec2012-3Final ly\, Lindsey Metcalf presented a paper on the experiences and views of tru stees of small charities that mostly provided social care services. Their list of 'things that keep me awake at night' was instructive\, as much for what was omitted as what was included. The need for good support\, induct ion and ongoing training was highlighted. From the floor\, wise advice abo ut the need to train boards\, not individuals\, left us contemplating the very real issues that we research\, and the need to make use of the learni ng to improve what we (the third or voluntary sector) do.The meeting also had its bit of 'real life experience' as we took part in the VSSN AGM. A t hank you was expressed to Chris Cornforth for his leadership and work as c hair as he stepped down. Several participants indicated events or publicat ions in the near future\, so 2013 looks like a busy year.The day conferenc e was hosted by Wales Council for Voluntary Action with WISERD - the Wales Institute for Social and Economic Research\, Data and Methods CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Butetown Community Centre\, Cardiff University\, Cardiff\, \, CF1 0 3WT\, United Kingdom GEO:51.48662710000001;-3.1788641000000553 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Cardiff University\, Cardif f\, \, CF10 3WT\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Butetown Comm unity Centre:geo:51.48662710000001,-3.1788641000000553 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:57@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20130515T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20130515T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-may-2013/ SUMMARY:Day conference May 2013 DESCRIPTION:Despite the absence of a few of the luminaries (or usual suspec ts) the day was well attended with more than 30 people appearing for the s eminar. Peter Maple hosted on behalf of LSBU and chaired the four sessions .David Horton-Smith was the keynote speaker challenging the audience with a review of his take on "Altruistics" and the range of research there is o n the voluntary and nonprofit sector. David took us through a paper shortl y to be published and listing more than 80 journals world-wide with a focu s on the sector.Anthea Hucklesby and Mary Corcoran followed David’s sess ion with a most interesting paper on Voluntary Sector Involvement in crimi nal justice. In particular they reviewed some of the challenges facing org anisations attempting positive interventions. The issues of measuring outc omes and payment by results continue to be particularly challenging and th ere was considerable discussion around some of the limitations in the ligh t of Government proposals and increased contracts with the private sector. After a pleasant lunch served on the 8th Floor of the Keyworth building lo oking North over the Thames and Westminster\, Magda Zasada presented an et hnographic study of three community organisations and how a "hybrid" appro ach may prove to be more effective than some traditional structures in del ivering effective and sustainable health promotion services. As always que stions of sustainable funding and fundraising feature prominently in such discussions.Finally Eddy Hogg treated us to an excellent review of a paper co-authored with Beth Breeze\, Who Gives\, Who Gets\, which explored the relationship between givers and receivers. Looking at the American suggest ion that philanthropy often simply recycles resources within socio-economi c groups\, the paper tentatively suggests that there may be similar patter ns in the UK and that more research would be very valuable in determining whether\, in fact\, donors do often support charities that\, in turn\, hel p "people like them" and whether those supporters can be persuaded to help people with very different life experiences.In all the papers provided so me particularly interesting perspectives and the lively discussion followi ng each was an indication of how well they have been received. Finally tha nks should go to all those involved in organising the day and making it a quiet success. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Keyworth Centre\, London South Bank University\, Keyworth Centre\, London South Bank University\, London\, \, \, United Kingdom GEO:51.4976367;-0.10112340000000586 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Keyworth Centre\, London So uth Bank University\, London\, \, \, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X -TITLE=Keyworth Centre\, London South Bank University:geo:51.4976367,-0.10 112340000000586 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20130910T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20130911T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/vssnncvo-researching-the-voluntary-sect or-conference-2013/ SUMMARY:VSSN/NCVO Researching the Voluntary Sector Conference 2013 DESCRIPTION: CATEGORIES:Research Conference LOCATION:Sheffield Hallam University\, Sheffield Hallam University\, City C ampus\, Sheffield\, United Kingdom GEO:53.3784202;-1.4656122000000096 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sheffield Hallam University \, City Campus\, Sheffield\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=She ffield Hallam University:geo:53.3784202,-1.4656122000000096 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:58@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20131128T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20131128T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-november-2013/ SUMMARY:Day conference November 2013 DESCRIPTION:The final VSSN Day Seminar of 2013 was hosted by GMCVO (Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation) at the organisation’s St. Thomas Conference Centre. With an audience of over 40\, the seminar was v ery well-attended by academics and voluntary sector staff.John Diamond fro m Edgehill University and chair of ARVAC guided participants through the d ay and highlighted aspects of the common theme running through the four pr esentations: the dilemmas and opportunities for the voluntary sector in th e wake of the recession. Presenters left plenty of time for discussion and the audience took the opportunity to contribute very actively.Nick Acheso n from the University of Ulster opened the session with a very interesting theory paper examining the role of voluntary sector research in post-bank ing crisis austerity. He argued that there is a worrying trend in the fiel d: the conceptualisation of voluntary sector organisations as victims of f orces beyond their control\, rather than as entities that actively shape t he situation by interacting with other actors. Nick argued that agency in voluntary sector organisations is under-researched in favour of organisati onal studies and that this potentially has a disempowering effect on the v oluntary sector\, absolving it of all responsibility.Beth Plant from Manch ester Alliance for Community Care and Adrian Nolan from Centre for Local E conomic Strategies brought a local perspective to the issue. Their Framewo rk to strengthen the social sector’s role in Manchester’s Economy enca psulates the belief that the crisis is an opportunity to introduce new way s of conceptualising economic growth and the voluntary sector’s contribu tion to it. A very lively discussion followed\, which focused on the tensi on between the framework citing economic growth in order to get policymake rs’ attention and the need to reframe the debate beyond the notion of ec onomic growth.After lunch\, the discussion turned to two ways of working t hat the voluntary sector might increasingly adopt to maximise resources. F irst\, Carol Jacklin Jarvis from the Open University presented her paper o n boundary spanning in cross-sector partnerships. Drawing on collaboration theory and her own experience of working in the voluntary sector\, Carol argued that partnership working needs collaborative disruption as much as agreement and alignment\, and that ultimately collaborative advantage aris es from differences between the partners\, not similarities. From this per spective\, boundary spanners have an important role to make partnerships r each their best potential.Finally\, James Rees from the Third Sector Resea rch Centre presented the findings on commissioning from third sector organ isations from research on mental health services in an English region. The se findings cast doubt on the suitability of commissioning as a suitable a pproach to involve third sector organisations in public service delivery. James questioned the competence of the public sector to perform the commis sioning role\, as it is intended (i.e. encompassing the entire commissioni ng cycle\, rather than being a shorthand for procurement)\, especially in light of staff losses and the fact that commissioning does not help to gen erate competition\, as is often claimed. The discussion that followed rais ed the prospect of Clinical Commissioning Groups improving health commissi oning\, highlighted the fact that mainstream public services are now being commissioned at a large scale and raised the question of whether European Law is used as an excuse in order to put out services to tender.All in al l\, it was a very interesting and stimulating day and thanks are due to al l who participated and helped to organise this event. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:GMCVO\, St. Thomas Conference Centre\, GMCVO\, St. Thomas Conferen ce Centre\, Manchester\, \, M12 6FZ\, United Kingdom GEO:53.47239949999999;-2.2255347000000256 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=GMCVO\, St. Thomas Conferen ce Centre\, Manchester\, \, M12 6FZ\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100; X-TITLE=GMCVO\, St. Thomas Conference Centre:geo:53.47239949999999,-2.2255 347000000256 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:9@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20140424T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20140424T161500 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/over-to-you-new-researchers-conference/ SUMMARY:Over to You: New Researchers Conference DESCRIPTION:Learning to present voluntary sector and volunteering research\ n\nDissemination is part and parcel of ensuring that research does not col lect dust on a shelf. One way of disseminating your research and of raisin g your organisation’s profile is to present to an interested academic au dience. However\, this can be very intimidating\, particularly for those w ho are new to research or to presenting.\n\nThis free one-day workshop co- organised by GMCVO\, Edge Hill University\, ARVAC and VSSN will try to add ress this situation by offering new researchers from academia and the volu ntary sector an opportunity to get in-depth advice and feedback on a proje ct they are planning to present.\n\n[vssn_paper_event title="Timetable" /] LOCATION:GMCVO\, St. Thomas Conference Centre\, GMCVO\, St. Thomas Conferen ce Centre\, Manchester\, \, M12 6FZ\, United Kingdom GEO:53.47239949999999;-2.2255347000000256 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=GMCVO\, St. Thomas Conferen ce Centre\, Manchester\, \, M12 6FZ\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100; X-TITLE=GMCVO\, St. Thomas Conference Centre:geo:53.47239949999999,-2.2255 347000000256 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:60@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20140604T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20140604T170000 DTSTAMP:20140829T152717Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-june-2014-volunteering-a s-leisure-leisure-as-volunteering/ SUMMARY:Day Conference June 2014 - Volunteering as Leisure: Leisure as Volu nteering DESCRIPTION:A one-day seminar to draw together academic perspectives and pr omote a research agenda. This conference was a joint event between Volunt ary Sector Studies Network\,  Leisure Studies Association and Voluntary A ction History Society.  It was supported by Sheffield University Manage ment School who provided the venue and managing the bookings.\nConference Report by Deborah Forbes\, Newcastle University Business School\nKeynote: Bob Snape: University of Bolton - Leisure and volunteering in post-World W ar I social reconstruction: Are there lessons for today?\n\nRewards of vol unteering– serious leisure\, development and employability\nNaomi Harfle tt: University of Southampton - ‘Bringing them with personal interests ’: Explaining who volunteers from a volunteering as leisure perspective\ nAaron McIntosh: Robert Gordon University - Backstage passes: The student volunteer experience\n\nVolunteers’ motivations and expectations vs orga nisational management\nTorsten Schlesinger and Siegfried Nagel: University of Bern\, Switzerland - Does the structural context matter? Analysing ind ividual and structural factors of volunteering in a Swiss sports club\nSte ven Howlett and Stephen Driver: University of Roehampton - Plain sailing? Volunteer involvement in boating clubs\n\nClosing plenary and workshop: vo lunteering and leisure in a changing societyGeoff Nichols: University of S heffield - Research questions bridging volunteering and leisure\n\nThe da y was well attended by 25 people representing a cross section of interests . Geoff Nichols hosted on behalf of Sheffield University Management School .\n\nAfter an introduction to the day by Angela Ellis Paine from the Third Sector Research Centre\, keynote speaker Bob Snape\, gave an interesting overview of Post War Volunteering and asked the question ‘are there less ons for today?’ This was an underlying thread throughout the day.\n\nNao mi Harflett and Aaron McIntosh addressed the theme of rewards of volunteer ing through two contrasting cases. Naomi’s paper explored National Trust volunteers: who they were\; their motivations\; and the link between volu nteering and leisure.  Many National Trust volunteers had an existing hob by or participated in heritage. She concluded that recognising this link c an make an important tool for understanding and changing inequality of vol unteer participation.\n\nAaron’s paper focused on the under-graduate stu dent volunteer experience. A cohort of students was asked to comment (thro ugh surveys and focus groups) on their experiences of event volunteering. The paper concluded that there were a range of reasons for volunteering in cluding gaining practical experience of “real life” events which led t o perceived benefits in terms of employability and skill development.\n\nA fter lunch the theme of volunteers’ motivations and expectations vs orga nisational management was explored.\n\nTorsten Schlesinger’s paper repor ted the findings of a large scale survey (1434 members) of 45 sports clubs . This involved a multi level investigation into influences on the decisio n to engage in volunteering. His findings indicated that in addition to in dividual characteristics club specific conditions also influenced voluntee r engagement. Specifically that willingness to volunteer is more probable in rural sports clubs and clubs with growth oriented goals had a destabili sing effect ie as diverging individual and collective interest increases\, obligations of solidarity reduce.\n\nThe final paper by Steven Howlett an d Stephen Driver focused on the relationship between volunteers in boating clubs and management strategies. In particular that the growing professio nalism of this area driven by regulation\; funding and how the service is delivered makes sense but not perhaps for volunteering and its ethos\,  v alues and conviviality. They ended with the question - Does a more profess ional approach to management enhance enjoyment or is it detrimental?\n\nGe off Nichol’s closing plenary drew upon the papers to consider the future of volunteering in a landscape that was changing.  (Link to Presentation )\n\nThe papers provided some interesting perspectives\; raised questions and identified further research areas. Each paper was followed by lively d iscussion which continued through lunch and during the refreshments at the end of the conference.\n\nThanks should go to all those involved in organ ising the day and making it a success. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Sheffield University Management School\, Conduit Road\, Sheffield\ , S10 1FL\, United Kingdom GEO:53.3833087;-1.4995152999999846 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Conduit Road\, Sheffield\, S10 1FL\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Sheffield University M anagement School:geo:53.3833087,-1.4995152999999846 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:8@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20140910T093000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20140911T160000 DTSTAMP:20140817T202056Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/voluntary-sector-and-volunteering-resea rch-conference/ SUMMARY:Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference DESCRIPTION:The conference brings together academics\, practitioners and po licy makers with a shared interest in the voluntary sector and volunteerin g. In 2014\, NCVO\, VSSN and IVR will again be working in partnership to o rganise the event. This year we are delighted to welcome Julia Unwin\, chi ef executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation\, as our keynote speaker.\n \nFurther details and booking information ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vssn.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/ 10/DayConference12May2012-1.jpg CATEGORIES:Research Conference LOCATION:Sheffield Hallam University\, Sheffield Hallam University\, City C ampus\, Sheffield\, United Kingdom GEO:53.3784202;-1.4656122000000096 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sheffield Hallam University \, City Campus\, Sheffield\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=She ffield Hallam University:geo:53.3784202,-1.4656122000000096 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:61@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20140910T093000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20140911T160000 DTSTAMP:20141027T111149Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/new-researchers-at-vsvr/ SUMMARY:New researchers at VSVR DESCRIPTION:The two-day new researchers’ sessions took place in September \, with a total of 19 papers submitted (see below). The papers were of an excellent standard\, and covered a wide range of issues relevant to the se ctor. It should be noted that authors were at different stages of their pr ojects with some research being complete while other papers are draft vers ions or scoping documents outlining areas for further exploration.\n\nCong ratulations and thank you to all presenters for making the two days an enj oyable experience and helping us to create a supportive\, thoughtful atmos phere.\n ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.vssn.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/ 10/DayConference12May2012-1.jpg CATEGORIES:New Researchers Event LOCATION:Sheffield Hallam University\, Sheffield Hallam University\, City C ampus\, Sheffield\, United Kingdom GEO:53.3784202;-1.4656122000000096 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Sheffield Hallam University \, City Campus\, Sheffield\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=She ffield Hallam University:geo:53.3784202,-1.4656122000000096 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:59@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20141127T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20141127T160000 DTSTAMP:20150716T185312Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-november-2014/ SUMMARY:Day Conference November 2014 DESCRIPTION:VSSN Day Seminar\, Money\, money\, money! Getting and spending in the voluntary sector\nThe day conference\, chaired by Meta Zimmeck from  Practical Wisdom R2Z\, took as its theme the broad and challenging topi c of ‘getting and spending money in the voluntary sector’ and the rang e of papers reflected the multi-faceted nature of the subject.\n\nThe firs t presentation – by Angela Eikenberry of the University of Nebraska at O maha and Beth Breeze of the University of Kent’s Centre for Philanthropy – focused on the growing popularity of Giving circles in the UK and Ire land. Giving circles represent an emerging trend across the world in which groups of individual donors collaborate to support individuals\, charitab le organizations\, or projects of mutual interest. Angela and Beth’s pap er looked at the landscape of giving circles in the UK and Ireland and fou nd that\, while they had many features in common with their counterparts i n the USA there were some significant differences. They suggested that the growth of giving circles reflected changes in philanthropy and broader ec onomic transitions in the UK and Ireland\; philanthropy had become more vi sible and was taking place at a time of economic downturn and rising post- materialist values\n\nThe second paper was presented by John McLoughlin (a lso from the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent) whose pape r was entitled Unillusioned philanthropy and fundraising. He argued that p hilanthropy could not be seen as a reliable\, predictable source of income that could solve society’s greatest challenges\; fill large-scale withd rawals of state funding\; or\, on their own\, transform society.  On the other hand the overall funding climate - in the UK\, the rest of Europe an d North America - meant that non-profit organisations needed to embrace fu ndraising as a core activity and become more skilled at attracting philant hropic support. But they also needed to be realistic\, sceptical – ‘ha rd-headed’ and shorn of illusion – in their search for funds as well a s treating donors and potential donors as partners and peers.\n\nAfter lun ch – and the VSSN AGM –  Andy Benson of the National Coalition for In dependent Action\, and Colin Rochester from Practical Wisdom R2Z spoke on The impact of Coalition policies on service-providing voluntary organisati ons. They drew on evidence collected by the National Coalition for Indepen dent Action as part of its Inquiry into the Future of Voluntary Services t o assess the impact of government policy on voluntary organisations that d elivered services in local communities. The paper focused on the financial consequences of the changed funding environment and how they affected the organisations and the services they provided. These included the impact o f the out-sourcing of public services\, the implications of the procuremen t and commissioning practices adopted by local authorities and the difficu lties of facing an increased need for services with diminishing resources. The paper concluded by looking at ways in which voluntary service-providi ng organisations might challenge and change the direction of travel of cur rent trends.\n\nNext\, Professor Cathy Pharoah\, Centre for Charitable Giv ing and Philanthropy\, Cass Business School\, City University\, reviewed t he Funds and spending of foundations and trusts – “state of the field ” in the current policy and economic environment.  She explored recent evidence on finances and decision-making of grant-making foundations to a ssess the extent to which they had adjusted to a changed environment. How had they responded to a variety of pressures about how they should interpr et their roles and make best use of their resources at a time when reducti ons in government has increased public and third sector expectations of th eir contribution?  To what extent\, for example\, had foundations heeded calls for them to create more impact\; to innovate to effect social change \; to work more strategically through social prevention\; to diverting ass ets to social investment\; to reform social markets\; to focus on social j ustice or concentrate on so-called ‘grants-plus’? Cathy’s paper revi ewed the current stat field and explored the implications for the voluntar y sector.\n\nThe final presentation cane from Andy Curtis of the Institute for Volunteering Research\, NCVO. His paper - Famine after the feast? Inf rastructure organisations adapting to a changing funding world – drew on a three year research study conducted as part of the Big Lottery Fund fun ded Volunteering for Stronger Communities programme and on data from IVR ’s Annual Return of Volunteer Centres to look at changes in funding for local volunteer centres and other infrastructure organisations. He found t hat they had suffered significant reductions in their income and many of t hem were reduced to ‘survival mode’.  Infrastructure bodes found it e specially difficult to attract funding\; many remained heavily dependent o n local government despite the cuts they had suffered\; they had found it very difficult to raise money by charging for services previously provided free of charge\; and many of them felt torn between diversifying their ac tivities and providing front-line services to bring in the income they nee ded to survive or remaining true to their core mission as intermediaries o r ‘second tier’ agencies. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Directory of Social Change\, 24 Stephenson Way\, London\, NW1 2DP\ , United Kingdom GEO:51.5263;-0.1356674999999541 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=24 Stephenson Way\, London\ , NW1 2DP\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Directory of Social Change:geo:51.5263,-0.1356674999999541 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:62@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20150512T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20150512T160000 DTSTAMP:20150515T111716Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-edge-hill-university-tim e-time-time-volunteering-in-a-challenging-environment/ SUMMARY:Day Conference\, Edge Hill University: TIME\, TIME\, TIME? Voluntee ring in a challenging environment DESCRIPTION:The seminar was generously hosted by Edge Hill University and was organised with the kind assistance of John Diamond.\n\nConference Repo rt\n\nThe day conference\, chaired by John Diamond from the Edge Hill Univ ersity\, began with an engaging debate on the future of volunteering. Nick Ockenden from the NCVO argued that there are several reason for being op timistic about the future of volunteering:  awareness of volunteering an d its value is high as are the rates of voluntary work\, more and more you ng people are getting involved\, management of volunteers has improved and public services reform and technological development are opening more op portunities for volunteering. In contrast Colin Rochester from the LSE pes simistically concluded that\, in an increasingly marketised society\, volu nteering\, based on the principles of altruism\, solidarity\, reciprocity and social justice\, soon might be seen as a deviant behaviour. He emphasi sed that it is important to remember the multifaceted nature of volunteeri ng and the roles it plays in society\, and that volunteering can not only support status quo or serve as an alternative provision but also challenge the existing situation.\n\nResearch by James Davies from Strathclyde Univ ersity highlighted the frequently accidental nature of becoming involved a nd how deeply young people’s volunteering in deprived areas is rooted in social networks and the pressures and barriers they create. He found that often young people begin volunteering just because they happened to be as ked. Young people also reported a lack of support or even occasional resis tance to their volunteering from their parents. Some evidence from the stu dy suggests that compulsory volunteering can put a young person off from a further involvement.\n\nJulia Hill from Church Urban Fund presented a sur vey of 118 church volunteers who\, according to her findings\, are involve d in over 700 different volunteering roles - from taking out rubbish bins to serving on a committee. Her study also finds that these volunteers migh t benefit from more clarity\, support and guidance and an occasional 'than k you' for the work they do.\n\nMargaret Harris\, University of Aston\, an d Duncan Shaw\, Manchester Business School\, introduced the paradox of spo ntaneous volunteering: there is a need for additional human resources duri ng floods or other disaster situations and emergencies\; yet\, there are a number of obstacles that prevents an effective use of the help that volun teers offer. They proposed a range of practical recommendations for resol ving this paradox\, including pre-training of potential volunteers.\n\nFin ally\, Jade Jackson from the University it Wolverhampton explored challeng es of involving and retaining volunteers for community sports projects in areas where demographics does not fit the conventional volunteer profile. Her presentation induced a lively debate about research on policy failures .\n\nReport by Daiga Kamerade\, Research Fellow\, Third Sector Research Ce ntre\, University if of Birmingham CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Edge Hill University\, Brancaster Road\, Manchester\, United Kingd om GEO:53.472612;-2.237905299999966 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Brancaster Road\, Mancheste r\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Edge Hill University:geo:53. 472612,-2.237905299999966 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:68@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20161122T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20161122T160000 DTSTAMP:20161220T063204Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/nov-16-youth-social-action/ SUMMARY:Day Conference November 2016. Youth social action: What do we know about young people’s participation? DESCRIPTION:This VSSN Day Conference on youth social action brought togethe r students\, academics\, voluntary sector practitioners and youth workers for a day of discussion and sharing ideas. The Seminar was hosted by the T hird Sector Research Centre (TSRC) in association with the #iwill campaign as part of #iwill week\, and was held at the University of Birmingham.\n\ n \;\n\nWith such a positive response to the call for papers\, the dec ision was made to fit five papers into the agenda\, rather than having a k eynote speaker. Following short introductions by Angela Ellis Paine (VSSN) and John Mohan (TSRC)\, and Emma Taylor-Collins (#iwill campaign)\, Sarah Mills and Catherine Waite delivered the first paper presenting their find ings from a research project on the National Citizen Service (NCS). They i ntroduced the concept of ‘brands of youth citizenship’ to discuss the state’s promotion of youth citizenship\, framed as cultivating a ‘gene ration’ of young citizens\, and also about what ‘nation’ means for N CS when it doesn’t operate in Wales or Scotland. They also highlighted t he hidden costs of social action programmes\, from travel to projects – especially in rural areas – to expectations about parents being able to afford ingredients for a cake sale\, or being able to take sponsorship for ms into work.\n\n \;\n\nNext up was James Davies\, who presented his f indings from his doctoral research on young people and volunteering in Gla sgow. James talked about how young people cited building relationships\, g aining a sense of pride in helping others\, and increasing their confidenc e as benefits of volunteering. There was some discussion about what ‘con fidence’ really means to young people\, illustrated by James’ examples of young people saying that after volunteering they felt confident enough to make a doctor’s appointment\, or go to the hairdresser’s\, for exa mple.\n\n \;\n\nAfter the VSSN AGM and a networking lunch\, Ali Body a nd Eddy Hogg kicked off the afternoon session with their paper on their re search with young people who had 10 years previously been involved with a housing association charity. Following earlier discussions about the cost of volunteering\, Ali and Eddy talked about the difficulties some young pe ople had in moving on from the charity\, or transitioning from a beneficia ry position to a volunteer position.\n\n \;\n\nThe next paper was deli vered by Katherine Smith. She talked about her work evaluating a youth boa rd at a housing association\, finding that young people on the board incre ased their involvement in their communities since being on the board\, and that their work on the board had a positive impact on the housing associa tion’s organisational development. She also talked about young people be ing politically engaged\, but voting less than older generations.\n\n  \;\n\nIn the last paper\, Janet Batsleer presented some early findings fro m her research with young women involved in online activism. She talked ab out discourses around the ‘good girl’\, and what that means for expect ations of young women’s participation in society. Her research highlight ed the costs of online activism as emotional labour\, particularly when th e activism stems from personal experiences of vulnerability\, and how this relates to the ease of telling your story online.\n\n \;\n\nFinally\, we heard from Vidal Kumar from vInspired\, who thanked the speakers and t alked about the need within the youth sector for practitioners to listen t o\, reflect upon and use the findings from research in this space to infor m their practice. As members of the #iwill campaign’s evidence steering group\, Vidal and Emma will be taking this back to the evidence group to t hink about ways to make more of the research that’s going on. CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Third Sector Research Centre\, University of Birmingham\, Third Se ctor Research Centre\, University of Birmingham\, Birmingham\, \, United Kingdom GEO:52.4508168;-1.930513499999961 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Third Sector Research Centr e\, University of Birmingham\, Birmingham\, \, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RAD IUS=100;X-TITLE=Third Sector Research Centre\, University of Birmingham:ge o:52.4508168,-1.930513499999961 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:69@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20170518T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20170518T160000 DTSTAMP:20170616T050348Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/border-crossings-may-2017/ SUMMARY:Border Crossings: Implications for Civil Society in a ‘Dis’-Uni ted Kingdom DESCRIPTION:Linda Milbourne and Mike Woolvin\, members of the VSSN Steering Group\, reflect on this VSSN Day Seminar\nThe day began with Jane Culling worth\, University of Glasgow\, extending a warm welcome to Govan and the Pearce Institute\, along with her co-organiser and colleague\, Laura Lebec . The Pearce Institute has a long history as a Community Centre in Govan a ssociated with social justice work. The community centre and a local socia l enterprise also provided the day’s catering.\n\nGetting to know Govan\ n\nStephen Driscoll\, Professor in Historical Archaeology and a trustee of the Govan Old Church\, offered a fascinating introduction to Govan’s hi story. Most participants were aware of Govan’s heyday as an industrial p owerhouse when the Clyde shipbuilding industry was in its prime. However\, few of us realised the wealth of relics retained from Govan’s earlier e ra of greatness in the 10th and 11th centuries\, with a remarkable sculptu ral legacy in the form of stone hogsbacks from Viking times in the Govan c hurch. How to maintain and share this legacy with a wider audience was an ongoing question.\n\nCivic participation: diversities\, disunity and cohes ion \n\nCivic Participation was the main theme for the morning’s two pap ers\, and both dealt with civilities and belonging\, inclusions and exclus ions among diverse populations and neighbourhoods\, considering implicatio ns for disunity and cohesion in civil society.\n\nClaire Bynner explored i nsights into the changing nature of collective identity\, discussing findi ngs from an ethnographic case study of a ‘super-diverse’ neighbourhood in Glasgow where long-term white and ethnic minority communities live alo ngside more recent migrants from Central and Eastern Europe\, asylum seeke rs and refugees. The study found that the ‘threat’ of new outsider gro ups created divisions between neighbours\, resulting in a re-ordering of l ocal hierarchies based on the perceived civility and morality of different groups. This highlighted the importance of local communications and relat ionships in overcoming divides. It also showed how new solidarities and di visions can mirror wider political divisions\, and how important it is to address feelings of powerlessness to effect change in material conditions locally\, highlighting roles for public and third sector organisations.\n\ nChristina McMellon discussed preliminary findings from a national survey conducted with roughly 200 young people from Central and Eastern Europe li ving in the UK since 2004\, which investigated their civic and civil parti cipation. The findings highlighted ambivalence in their sense of belonging and identities.\n\n“This cohort had a lower political engagement and us e of public services than the broader youth population and showed a tensio n between wanting to be accepted and spend more time with others locally\, while also experiencing racism\, especially since the Brexit referendum ”. \n\nOverall these groups of young people appeared worried and uncerta in about their futures\, underlining the need for a more responsive role f or civil society organisations.\n\nLively discussion and questions followe d including whether it was paradoxical to construct categories\, exacerbat ing tensions around belonging (or not)\, and the extent to which divisions in some neighbourhoods were effectively ways of dealing with or masking p overty.\n\nIndependence of Scotland’s TSOs in the face of austerity\n\nT he afternoon’s sessions focused on research drawn from two geographical perspectives\, firstly Scotland\, and secondly cross-UK.\n\nMatthew Dutton discussed a study undertaken with 16 Third Sector Organisations (TSOs) in Scotland\, exploring how far the independence of these organisations had changed in the face of austerity\, in terms of their relationships with th e state\, considering three key characteristics – purpose\, voice and ac tion. While some felt there was greater independence and reduced mission d rift as public funding decreased\, with new opportunities emerging from th e tendering process\, others felt there were significant challenges to ind ependence. These included advocacy on behalf of clients\, restricting crit icism of state funders\; limitations on flexibility and innovation because of tightly defined contract specifications\; and TSOs potentially pressur ed to move away from ‘changing the world’ and towards a ‘steady stat e’ model.\n\nUnderstanding the complexities of ‘community empowerment ’ in Scotland \n\nKatey Tabner explored the Scottish community empowerme nt context and the role of voluntary sector infrastructure within this. Sh e outlined a common perception that community empowerment policy and gover nance in Scotland is characterised by consultation and cooperation\, with the smaller scale of the Scottish policy landscape making processes more a ccessible and less divided between universal and territorial issues. Elite interviews representing 6 stakeholder organisations supported these chara cteristics\, together with views on the efficiency of Scottish politics. B ut Katey also stressed the importance of looking critically beyond the rhe toric.\n\n“Additionally\, it was essential not to overlook the context o f austerity in which community empowerment is played out\; the complexitie s of community empowerment\; or the presumed willingness and capacity of c ommunities to be ‘empowered’.” \n\n‘Capacity building’ also enco mpasses ambiguous meanings including an implied deficit among community or ganisations.\n\nThese engaging presentations resulted a wide-ranging discu ssion covering topics including how far the Scottish Community Empowerment Act might enact any real change\; and how far it was disempowering to por tray community groups and TSOs as the ‘naïve victims’ of ‘conspirac y theories’. Questions also raised the extent to which the collaborative Scottish narrative was really different or just a ‘softening’ to enco urage greater co-operation\, where the English narrative was harder edged. \n\nComparing experiences across the UK: policing and charity regulation \ n\nIain Britton next explored the extensive role of volunteers in Policing \, particularly in England and Wales\, also drawing comparisons across the UK. He identified that whilst volunteering is on a significant scale and strategically important\, it was often a less visible manifestation of vol unteering (both within and outside the Police force). Volunteering in Poli cing faces challenges around strategic culture\; professionalization\; ide ntity and integration\; reach and diversity in recruitment\; and an often regular-centric worldview of the Police Force. Iain reported little or no dialogue with regards to volunteer coordination at a UK-level. Questions f ollowed\, including the extent and reach of volunteering in public service s more widely and where volunteering in policing crossed over into vigilan teeism.\n\nGareth Morgan then drew on cross-jurisdiction comparison to exp lore variation in charity regulation and implications for the charity sect or post – Brexit\, grouped around four strands. Significant variation wa s found in terms of the definition of charity\, registration\, accounting and in the requirements for Charitable Incorporated Organisations dependi ng on whether a charity was established in England/Wales\, Scotland\, or N orthern Ireland.  He concluded by comparing the different regulatory re quirements experienced for cross-border (UK-wide) charities contingent on  the jusridisction where the charity is established\, area of operation and legal status to name but three characteristics.\n\n“With regard to B rexit\, charity law has historically developed largely outside EU directiv es\, suggesting limited change.”\n\nQuestions focused on whether despite regulatory and structural differences\, the third sector felt culturally different in different regions and the extent to which Brexit would make d ifferences.\n\nConcluding thoughts: what sort of voluntary sector\, what s ort of policy\, what sort of engagement?\n\nJohn Mohan and Stephen Osborne brought the day to a close with a short plenary session.\n\nJohn Mohan fo cused reflections on the importance of: (i) scale and community\, asking w hat sort of voluntary sector and what sort of policy we want for what kind s of community\; and (ii) asking how far there are really significant UK-w ide variations. He argued for (iii) a focus on the dynamics of change – for example\, exploring where the winners and losers in the third sector m ight be and implications of this\; and (iv) concluded by asking: ‘what l evel of inequality we are prepared to tolerate’.\n\nStephen Osborne refl ected critically on the nature of engagement and inclusion. He considered expectations and norms regarding inclusion (for example\, not all young pe ople may want to be included)\; the distinction between the third sector ‘going in’ to communities and the pre-existing community landscape tha t may or may not choose to engage with the wider third sector\; and the ro le that different sectors values can play in shaping norms and expectation s around inclusion\, exclusion\, change and capacity. He problematised ‘ cosiness’ and conformity as excluding diverse alternatives together with the current nature of values in public services.\n\nDiscussion which foll owed left open the question of whether the policy environment in Scotland was really more benign and collaborative or whether\, as one participant e xpressed it\, it was simply neo-liberalism with a friendlier community fac e.\n\nDiscussion continued considerably after the formal close for those n ot rushing away\, confirming informal feedback already received that the d ay had provoked considerable reflection and stimulating discussion. With a longer day each session could have seen extended debate. Roll on the next VSSN seminar! CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Pearce Institute\, 840-860 Govan Road\, Glasgow\, G51 3UU\, United Kingdom GEO:55.8636286;-4.312509900000009 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=840-860 Govan Road\, Glasgo w\, G51 3UU\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Pearce Institute:g eo:55.8636286,-4.312509900000009 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:70@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20171123T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20171123T163000 DTSTAMP:20171217T172615Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/day-conference-november-23rd/ SUMMARY:Leading through challenging times: can the sector respond to the wi der crisis of political and civil society leadership? DESCRIPTION:The Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL)\, Open Univer sity Business School hosted the VSSN Day conference in November 2017.\n\nT his day conference aimed to engage critically with concepts of leadership\ , examining theory and practice\, and exposing to greater scrutiny the ide a that leadership is part of the solution for many of the problems current ly experienced by voluntary organisations. The conference intended to deba te whether there a leadership deficit\, as some think\, or is this a distr action from issues in the wider environment.\n\nThe conference was well at tended\, with 35 delegates from a wide range of research centres\, institu tions and sectors.\n\nJames Rees\, Co-Director of CVSL\, opened the confer ence by discussing how leadership within the voluntary sector is a contest ed and embryonic topic. This and other questions form a part of the debate prompted by five diverse papers included in the programme for the day. Th e five presentations touched on varying aspects of leadership\, inspired t hought-provoking questions directly to the presenters\, and discussion thr oughout the day.\n\nDuring the day there was opportunity for networking an d research and event updates. The VSSN AGM took place midway during the co nference\, looking at VSSN annual budget\, future agendas\, with a particu lar focus on saying thanks to certain individuals who were leaving and the ir contribution\, and to welcome those that had recently joined.\n\nAll th e videos of the presentations are now available on the CVSL website.\n\nA special thank you to all the guest speakers\, Co-Director of CVSL James Re es for hosting\, and to the final panel: Dr. Carol Jacklin Jarvis\, Profes sor Chris Cornforth (both Open University) and Professor Ram Cnaan who vi sited us from the University of Pennsylvania. The panel neatly wrapped up the conference with thought provoking comments on the different narrative s and concepts that had been used throughout the day to understand leaders hip. There was a strong final message that different future approaches are required to understand and research leadership in the voluntary sector co ntext.\n\nThe following day CVSL hosted the first Voluntary Sector Studie s Network (VSSN) writing retreat\, with the aim of supporting early career scholars or those who have recently completed a PhD on voluntary sect or studies. The retreat was very well received and gave the opportunity t o bring 12 early career researchers together\, to provide space and time t o both write and receive 1-2-1 feedback. The purpose was to overcome the challenges of writing from their PhD research project\, by creating a welc oming and reflective environment\, providing expert guidance on the publis hing process\, and promoting peer support. We look forward to seeing part icipants' published academic articles in the foreseeable future. A specia l thanks to VSR/ VSSN for the financial support\, and to Rob Macmillan\, A ngela Ellis Paine\, James Rees and Vita Terry for facilitating\, the retre at.\n\n \;\n\nDr Alison Body\, Canterbury Christ Church University\, a nd Dr Jeremy Kendall\, University of Kent\, \n\nExpansive opportunity make rs but selective opportunity takers? Positional agility and tactical socia l skill in English third sector social service\n\nAlison Body emphasised t he role of tactical social skills in commissioning relationships. She des cribes there is a new competitive commissioning environment that have crea ted new rules to follow\, which fuel increasing concerns over the changes in commissioning relationships. Her research identifies how voluntary orga nisations demonstrate agency in how they approach commissioning relationsh ips\, and by drawing on Fligstein and McAdam’s field theory she illustra tes how these social skills can be used as tactics to move in and across f ields.\n\n \;\n\nStephanie Denning\, PhD student in Geography at the U niversity of Bristol \n\nChallenging positionality and power relations in participatory and action research\n\nStephanie Denning draws on her PhD re search project that explores food poverty and hunger holidays. She discuss ed her role as a leader in a Make Lunch initiative and draws upon the conc epts of positionality and power to illustrate the everyday experiences wit hin the initiative. Her research uses an ethnographic approach to look at the everyday practices within the initiative\, highlighting this as a bene ficial methodology to observe the everyday practices of leadership within voluntary sector organisations.\n\n \;\n\nDr Jon Dean\, Sheffield Hall am University\n\nThe trouble with charismatic leadership: Voluntary sector leaders' reflections on the collapse of Kids Company\n\nJon Dean’s pres entation addressed the controversial topic of the collapse of Kids Company . He applied the theoretical concepts of charismatic leadership – drawn particularly from Max Weber’s work on sources of authority – to the fo rmer Director of Kids Company\, Camila Batmanghelidjh\, to unpack her trai ts\, characteristics and role as a leader. His discussion looks at various explanations of the collapse of Kids Company\, identifying different rela tionships\, reputations\, responsibilities and positions.\n\n \;\n\nCa ndy Perry\, Independent researcher \n\nHow failure to lead second order ch ange causes organisational paralysis\n\nCandy Perry discussed success and failures in leadership and management focusing on the need to understand w hat is happening in different parts of the organisation in order to avoid leading or seeking to control changes simply from the top but thereby fail ing to make effective changes. She highlighted the need for a ‘whole sys tems’ approach\, explaining through examples of five different voluntary organisations that she had supported in her consultancy work. Leaders in these organisations felt paralysed into inaction\, and she worked with the m through a form of action research to support organisational learning and to help to unlock some their internal conflicts.\n\n \;\n\nDr Epamino ndas Koronis (presenter) and Dr Katalin Iles\, University of Westminster\n \nLeading Voluntary Organisations: an investigation of patterns\, narrativ es and the value of authenticity\n\nEpaminondas Koronis draws on empirical data that explores patterns of leadership in charities in Greece. He desc ribes how leadership in the voluntary sector is distinctive in this contex t\, by arguing organisations require flexibility and more resilience to na vigate this complex environment. He illustrates how leadership is complex\ , therefore\, to unpack this it is helpful to understand the context. Vari ous approaches to do this are through exploring narrative\, storytelling a nd practices. Epaminondas puts forth a strong argument that a beneficial w ay to understand leadership is through interpreting leadership as a symbol ic process.\n\n \;\n\n \;\n\n \;\n\n \;\n\n \; CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Open University Business School\, Walton Hall\, Milton Keynes\, MK 7 6AA\, United Kingdom GEO:52.0250351;-0.7084033999999519 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Walton Hall\, Milton Keynes \, MK7 6AA\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Open University Bus iness School:geo:52.0250351,-0.7084033999999519 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:74@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20180315T090000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20180315T160000 DTSTAMP:20180205T090718Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/youth-action-activism-and-education-one -day-conference-open-for-registrations/ SUMMARY:Youth Action\, Activism and Education One-day Conference: Open for Registrations DESCRIPTION:Youth Action\, Activism and Education:\nContinuities\, Changes and Possibilities\n9am-4pm\n\nThursday 15th March\, 2018\n\nThe Spitfire Ground\, St. Lawrence\, Canterbury\, Kent\n\nFurther conference informatio n\n\n \n\nYouth action\, civic activism and education stands at an import ant crossroads. A number of recent political events across the world have evidenced the importance of\, and need for\, young people to play an activ e role in their communities – and to do so in critical and creative ways . While there is now a body of literature which refutes the view that youn g people are disengaged in political processes\, there remain questions ab out precisely why and how young people experience social action and activi sm\, and whether they do so in equitable ways.\n\n \;\n\nViewing such questions as vital\, this free one-day conference will explore internati onal\, national and local perspectives on the changing nature of youth act ion\, activism and the associated implications for education. This is a pa rtnership event organised and supported by Canterbury Christ Church Univer sity\, VSSN and Leverhulme Trust.\n\n \;\n\nPlaces at the conference a re limited. To register and save your place\, please contact Professor And rew Peterson (andrew.peterson@canterbury.ac.uk) providing your institution al/organisational affiliation and details of any dietary and accessibility requirements.\n\n \;\n\n                    CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:The Spitfire Ground\, The Spitfire Ground\, St. Lawrence\, Canterb ury\, Kent\, CT1 3NZ\, United Kingdom GEO:51.2659393;1.09152789999996 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=The Spitfire Ground\, St. L awrence\, Canterbury\, Kent\, CT1 3NZ\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100; X-TITLE=The Spitfire Ground:geo:51.2659393,1.09152789999996 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:72@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20180509 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20180510 DTSTAMP:20180509T044441Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/vssn-day-conference/ SUMMARY:Developing innovative approaches to tackling complex social problem s - opportunities and challenges DESCRIPTION:VSSN’s next day conference will take place on 9th May 2018\, hosted by York Business School\, York Saint John University.\n\nDownload t he programme here.\n\nAcademic and media commentary on charities and civil society organisations often presents a pessimistic view of organisations facing many challenges\, whether due to funding constraints\, loss of auto nomy and public trust\, and reputational damage following links to public scandals. While a critical analysis of the voluntary sector role in shorin g up competitive and contractual cultures is called for\, we also need to recognise that alternative models and initiatives are emerging\, especiall y at grassroots levels.\n\nThere are growing pressures on locally based co mmunity organisations and social enterprises to tackle increasingly comple x social issues\, but organisational actors are also active in developing different ways to address these challenges.\n\nThis day seminar aims to ex plore new and innovative approaches which are being put in place to tackle complex social problems\, including enduring and increasing poverty and g rowing inequalities\, and the forms and effectiveness of such new approach es.\n\nThe seminar will ask how organisations and communities are respondi ng to prolonged public sector funding cuts\, austerity and the upheavals c aused by political uncertainties\, including over BREXIT. It will explore a range of questions\, for example:\n\n Do new initiatives represent an o pportunity to innovate and work together to successfully tackle complex so cial problems?\n If so\, what initiatives are emerging that present susta inable opportunities for the future?\n Which initiatives are proving succ essful and which are not\, and why?\n What challenges do organisations fa ce in developing new initiatives in the current environment?\n Can succes sful strategies be replicated in diverse communities and what problems are encountered in achieving this?\n\n \;\n\nAttending the event\n\nVSSN aims to promote an understanding of the UK voluntary sector through resear ch. The event is aimed at researchers\, academics\, doctoral students and practitioners in voluntary organisations or foundations interested in the UK voluntary sector. We also welcome policymakers and practitioners engage d in relevant fields. We are always pleased to meet and receive contributi ons from colleagues in similar settings in other countries. The working la nguage is English.\n\n \;\n\n \; CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:York St John University\, Lord Mayors Walk\, York\, YO31 7EX\, Uni ted Kingdom GEO:53.964236;-1.080570899999998 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Lord Mayors Walk\, York\, Y O31 7EX\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=York St John Universit y:geo:53.964236,-1.080570899999998 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:76@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20180607T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20180607T153000 DTSTAMP:20180502T083525Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/building-bridges-volunteering-research- and-practice-workshop/ SUMMARY:Building bridges: Volunteering research and practice workshop DESCRIPTION:Co-hosted by the Voluntary Sector Studies Network\, Association of Volunteer Managers and the Network of National Volunteer Involving Age ncies.\n\nGenerously supported by NCVO\n\n \;\n\nThe aim of the worksh op is to bring together volunteer managers and researchers to strengthen c ollaborative working. We have three objectives:\n\n \;\n\n To share e xisting knowledge on developments in volunteering research and practice\n To identify future research priorities\n To build collaborations.\n\n&nb sp\;\n\nParticipants will be asked to reflect on three key questions regar ding volunteering research and practice:\n\n \;\n\n Research: What’ s the current state of volunteering research?\n Practice: To what extent do volunteer managers and their organisations currently engage with volunt eering research?\n Research and practice: What are the future research pr iorities for the volunteering movement?\n\n \;\n\nThese questions will be discussed on round tables\, with a few key speakers invited to offer t heir reflections on these questions in order to kick start the discussions . We ask all participants to come along having reflected upon these questi ons\, to bring with them any examples of research that they want to share\ , and with a willingness to actively engage in discussions.\n\n \n\nProgr amme\n\n \;\n\n10.30 -10.45                        Arrival\, tea and coffee\n\n \;\n\n10.45-11.15                         Welcome\, introductions and aims of the day\n\nCh ris Wade\, NNIVA\, Ruth Leonard\, AVM and Angela Ellis Paine\, VSSN\n\n&nb sp\;\n\n11.15-12.20            What’s the current state of vo lunteering research?\n\nBrief reflections from Howard Davis (Bangor Univer sity) Justin Davis Smith (City University)\, Margaret Harris (Aston Univer sity) and John Mohan (University of Birmingham) before moving into group d iscussions\n\n                                     \n\n12.20-13.10            Lunch\n\n \;\n\n13.10 -14.15            To what extent do volunteer managers and thei r organisations currently engage with volunteering research?\n\nBrief refl ections from Rachael Bayley (The Ramblers)\, Chris Reed (British Red Cross )\, Tiger de Souza (National Trust) and Helen Timbrell (Samaritans) before moving into group discussions \n\n \;\n\n14.15-15.00             What are the future research priorities for the volunteering moveme nt?\n\nRound table discussions \n\n \;\n\n15.00-15.30             Building bridges: reflections on the day and working together to ta ke the agenda forward\n\nKarl Wilding\, NCVO\, Chris Wade\, NNIVA\, Ruth L eonard\, AVM and Angela Ellis Paine\, VSSN\n\n \;\n\nThis is a free ev ent but places are limited and you must register to attend. Bookings will be taken on a first come\, first served basis. For further details and to register see: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/building-bridges-volunteer-re search-and-practice-roundtable-tickets-45584890635\n\n \;\n\n               LOCATION:Society Building\, 8 All Saints Street\, London \, N1 9RL\, United Kingdom GEO:51.5346183;-0.11833679999995184 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=8 All Saints Street\, Londo n \, N1 9RL\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Society Building:g eo:51.5346183,-0.11833679999995184 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:75@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20180906 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20180908 DTSTAMP:20180620T100713Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/2018-voluntary-sector-and-volunteering- research-conference/ SUMMARY:2018 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference DESCRIPTION:Trust\, Transparency and Accountability of Charities and Volunt ary Organisations: Challenges for Policy\, Practice and Research\nBookings now open - book online here\nPublic trust in charities\, voluntary organi sations and wider civil society is under threat from a perceived lack of t ransparency and accountability surrounding its work. From the Oxfam scanda l\, to the failure of Kids Company\, and ongoing concerns about fundraisin g practices\, the media gaze and political spotlight is increasingly falli ng on organisations’ work. This raises some important questions for rese arch on the voluntary sector and volunteering:\n\n How is the sector\, an d civil society more generally\, affected by and responding to media and p olitical challenges to become more transparent and accountable?\n How is public trust holding-up in light of recent events\, for individual organis ations and the sector as a whole?\n\nAlongside this intensified public att ention\, the voluntary sector and wider civil society continues to deal wi th a complex series of challenges associated with rising inequality\, mate rial hardship\, and multiple disadvantage\, whilst campaigning and advocat ing on behalf of some of society’s most seldom heard voices. This broade r context presents\, inevitably\, opportunities and challenges for the vol untary sector and volunteering\, and high quality research and analysis ar e needed more than ever to help understand these.\n\nThe Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference – organised by NCVO and VSSN – provides a unique opportunity for academics\, policy makers and practitio ners from the UK and further afield to come together to share and discuss research that addresses the conference theme and the broader issues facing the voluntary sector and volunteering at this time.\nConference details\n Location: NCVO Conference Suite\, London\n\n\n\n\nDates\n\n\n\n14 June\nR egistration opens\n\n\n12 July 2018\nEarly bird rate ends\n\n\n6-7 Septemb er 2018\nThe conference\n\n\n\nAims and themes\nThe conference aims to:\n\ n Contribute to evidence and theory-building in the field\n Develop emer ging research ideas\n Inform and be informed by the work of practitioners \n Inform and influence policy\n\nPapers\, panel sessions and workshops w ill be aligned to the following streams:\n\n Civil society\, democracy an d grassroots voluntary action\n Volunteering\, participation and social a ction\n Advances in theory and methods\n Resourcing the sector: funding\ , fundraising\, philanthropy and social investment\n Organisational manag ement and governance\, including law and regulation\n Historical perspect ives on the voluntary sector and voluntary action\n Sectoral boundaries: private-voluntary-public sector relations\n Understanding\, measuring and valuing outcomes and impact\n\nCampbell Adamson Memorial Prize\nPresenter s who submit a full paper prior to the start of the conference will automa tically be in with a chance of winning the Campbell Adamson Memorial prize for best paper\, which includes a £500 prize.\nNew researchers\nThe Conf erence is an ideal opportunity for new or early career researcher looking to meet\, discuss and present their research with other new researchers in a supportive setting. A special series of parallel sessions will be run a s part of the conference for ‘new’ researchers. Attendance at this par t of the conference is subsidised\, and is intended for all early career r esearchers in the field of voluntary sector studies\, whether postgraduate students or working/volunteering in the voluntary sector.\n\nMore informa tion available here.\nHow to book\nBook online via NCVO here. LOCATION:National Council for Voluntary Organisations\, 8 All Saints Street \, London\, N1 9RL\, United Kingdom GEO:51.5346183;-0.11833679999995184 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=8 All Saints Street\, Londo n\, N1 9RL\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=National Council fo r Voluntary Organisations:geo:51.5346183,-0.11833679999995184 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:77@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20181122 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20181123 DTSTAMP:20181204T095102Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/diversity-in-spotlight/ SUMMARY:Diversity in the spotlight: Highlighting perspective on race\, cult ure and migrants DESCRIPTION:Abstracts and programme available here\nConference report avail able here.\nSpeakers' presentations available below.\n\nThis was the first of what we hope will be a series of seminars aiming to address the contin uing marginalisation or absence of diverse groups from voluntary sector re search and debates.\n\nIn 2013\, Birmingham’s Third Sector Research Cent re discussed the absence of Black\, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) voice s in voluntary sector research and in prominent debates concerning the sec tor at regional and national levels (Ware\, 2013). However\, even when suc h discussions take place\, Witter (2017) observes how few individuals from minority ethnic groups have been present to explore issues which are abou t them.  As Etienne’s (2016) research demonstrates\, minority ethnic vo ices are seriously underrepresented among academic researchers and in poli cy making circles\, yet play a hugely significant role among community gro ups and in activism. Phillimore and McCabe (2015) also note that BAME orga nisations often exist largely below the radar and the dominant discourse o f the UK’s voluntary sector.\n\nAs UK society becomes increasingly diver se and more globally connected\, this creates new and distinctive challeng es in how the voluntary sector – its research\, policies and practices - respond to different needs and better represent the wider population. Yet \, despite recognition of the lack of research in this field which address es difference and diversity\, there has been little recent challenge to th e status quo and a dominant discourse which neglects significant voices. T his needs to change.\n\nDespite freezing weather and the street disruption s from the HS2 construction\, most of our 30 or so delegates made it to ou r canalside room provided by the Bond\, Birmingham\, for a very stimulatin g day of presentations and discussions.\n\n \n\nAsif Afridi\, Birmingham Race Action Partnership\n\nRace equality and the voluntary sector: learnin g from the inquiry into the future of civil society\n\nPalmela Witter\, in dependent researcher\, London\n\nBlack youth and loss of trust: how can bl ack women community activists create a platform for change?\n\n \;\n\n Liz Bailey\, TSRC\, University of Birmingham\n\nWomen doing it for themsel ves: 1980s community organisation amongst black women’s groups in Bethna l Green\n\n Abi Woodward\, CRESR\, Sheffield Hallam University\n\nUnderst anding the power of the ‘informal sector’: Exploring the lived experie nces of Pakistani Muslims in Sheffield\n\n\n \;\n\nMike Aiken with col leagues from the Pledge Against Charging campaign\, Sussex\n\nMaking a ple dge: exploring the process of coalition building to defend health care rig hts in a hostile environment    \n\nLucy Mayblin\, University of Sheff ield\n\nAsylum and Refugee Support in the UK: Civil Society Filling the Ga ps? \n\n \;\n\n \;\nProposed seminar/discussion series\nThis is th e first of what we hope will be a series of seminars and/or discussions\, in which some absences in the debate around issues concerning difference a nd diversity can be explored with the aim of challenging the current ortho doxy of research in the voluntary sector field.\n\nWe welcome proposals to host future seminars or roundtable discussions which will facilitate furt her debate on different aspects of diversity and inequalities and might fo cus\, for example\, on gender\, on sexual identities\, on disabilities\, o n emotional labour or other related issues. We recognise the intersectiona l nature of these debates as well as the diverse aspects.\n\nWorking with participants we hope to draw together some of the threads from all the sem inars and discussions in a paper or papers following the seminars.\n\nTo d iscuss the possibility of hosting or co-hosting an event in this proposed series\, please contact Linda Milbourne l.milbourne@bbk.ac.uk\n\n \n\n&nb sp\; CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:The Bond Company\, 180 -182 Fazeley Street\, Digbeth\, Birmingham\ , B5 5SE\, United Kingdom GEO:52.47827299999999;-1.8817090000000007 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=180 -182 Fazeley Street\, D igbeth\, Birmingham\, B5 5SE\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=T he Bond Company:geo:52.47827299999999,-1.8817090000000007 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:79@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20190523 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20190524 DTSTAMP:20190715T081255Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/small-groups-big-issues/ SUMMARY:Small groups\, big issues? Researching local\, community-based\, an d 'below the radar' organisations and action DESCRIPTION:Thursday 23rd May\, The Circle\, Rockingham Lane\, Sheffield Ci ty Centre\n\nThe last VSSN day conference was held in Sheffield and focuse d on small charities\, community groups\, 'below the radar'[i] organisatio ns\, and informal grassroots action.\n\nThe seminar brought researchers to gether with practitioners working or volunteering for small and community- based organisations and groups\, to reflect on the day-to-day challenges f aced in such work and action\, and help build a collective research and po licy agenda in this area.\n\nDownload programme and abstracts here\n\nPres entations available to download as follows:\n\nCommunity asset transfer (C AT) of leisure facilities – small volunteer-group management Lindsay Fin dlay-King (Northumbria University) (panel co-ordinator)\, Geoff Nichols (S heffield University)\, Katrina Foxton (York University)\, Tom Archer &\ ; Ian Wilson (Sheffield Hallam University)\, &\; Daryl Porter (Sheffiel d City Council)\n\nLocal History Cafe at the Sir John Moore Foundation Kat herine Brown (Director of Crafting Relationships) &\; Sonia Liff (Volun teer at the Sir John Moore Foundation)\n\nCoproduction of primary educatio n: A local case study analysis of the establishment of a parent council Al ison Body (University of Kent) &\; Jennifer Ross (Chair of Parent Counc il)\n\nInformal volunteering\, gender\, and class Jon Dean (Sheffield Hall am University)\n\nBehind Closed Doors: An exploratory study of differentia l accounts in UK service clubs David Yates (Aston University) \n\n\n \ ;\n\n[i]For example\, see: McCabe\, A. (2018) ‘Ten Years Below the Radar : Reflections on Voluntary and Community Action’\, TSRC Working Paper 14 3\, November 2018 https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/tsrc/documents/tsrc /working-papers/10-years-below-the-radar-final.pdf LOCATION:The Circle\, 33 Rockingham Lane\, Sheffield\, S1 4FW\, United King dom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=33 Rockingham Lane\, Sheffi eld\, S1 4FW\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=The Circle:geo:0, 0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:78@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20190910 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20190912 DTSTAMP:20190503T083203Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/voluntary-sector-and-volunteering-resea rch-conference-2019-date-and-location/ SUMMARY:Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference 2019 DESCRIPTION:Click here for more information about this year's research conf erence taking place at Aston University (Birmingham\, UK) on 10th and 11th September 2019\, organised by the Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) in partnership with the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCV O).\n\nThis is the leading UK-based interdisciplinary research conference for academics\, policy makers and practitioners with an interest in civil society\, the voluntary sector and volunteering.\n\nIt is an opportunity t o share research and network across different contexts\, fields and discip lines from the UK and further afield. It is open to those at any stage of their career\, from early-career researchers to those established in their field. LOCATION:Aston University\, Aston St\, Birmingham\, B4 7ET\, United Kingdom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Aston St\, Birmingham\, B4 7ET\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Aston University:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:80@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20191128 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20191129 DTSTAMP:20191111T105438Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/civil-society-in-four-uk-nations/ SUMMARY:Civil society in the four UK nations: past\, present and future cha llenges DESCRIPTION:The next VSSN day seminar is being held in partnership with WIS ERD\, the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research\, Data and Metho ds at Cardiff University.\n\nThe seminar will explore how civil society ha s responded to socio-economic change in terms of national devolution and u neven patterns of localism in the UK\, alongside future uncertainties and dissatisfaction with a seemingly uncaring political elite prompting a new identity politics and an upsurge of new civil society movements.\n\nYou ca n download the outline programme here.\n\nThe full programme with abstract s will be available shortly and sent to all those attending.\n\nVenue:  B utetown Culture and Media\, Loudoun Square\, Cardiff\, CF10 5HW   -   h ttps://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/events-and-training/events/venu es/cmc-culture-and-media-centre/\n\n\n PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE\n\nInfo rmation about Cardiff and local accommodation\n\nProgramme \n\n9.15 - 9.45                   Registration and Coffee \n\n9.45 - 10. 00                 Welcome  Professor Paul Chaney\, Co Di rector\, WISERD and Dr Alison Body\, University of Kent and VSSN\n\n10.00 – 11.45              Paper panel: Civil society and the stat e across time and territories\n\nMoving frontiers: Voluntary action and so cial welfare Georgina Brewis (University College\, London)\, Angela Ellis Paine (University of Birmingham)\, Irene Hardill (Northumbria University)\ , Rose Lindsey (Southampton University) and Rob Macmillan (Sheffield Halla m University)\n\nCarnegie UK Trust: The Enabling State Hannah Ormston\, Po licy and Development Officer\, Carnegie UK Trust\n\nWelsh third sector lob bying\, maintaining a critical voice and engaging in a partnership with de volved government and beyond Amy Sanders (Cardiff University\, WISERD)\n\n Democratic governance in Scotland: learnings for civil society Jane Cullin gworth (University of Glasgow)\n\n11.45 -12.00                 Coffee Break \n\n12.00 – 1.15                Panel dis cussion: Community action in local places – Building leadership and lead ing change\n\nThe role of the voluntary sector in generating place leaders hip: a relational network approach James Rees (University of Wolverhampton )\, Carol Jacklin-Jarvis (Open University)\, Vita Terry (IVAR)\, Ellen Ben nett\, Chris Damm and Chris Dayson (Sheffield Hallam University)\n\nThe Ll echi\, Glo a Chefn Gwlad (Slate\, Coal and Countryside) partnership: Sarah Lloyd-Jones\, People and Work\n\nHow easily can a community own and deliv er a vision for care and wellbeing: the experience of Solva Sue Denman (So lva Care and Solva Community Land Trust)\, Mollie Roach (Solva Care)\, Mar ia Jones (Solva Care)\, Jessie Buchanan (Trecadwgan Campaign Group)\n\n1.1 5 – 2.15                  Lunch \n\n2.15 – 2.35                   VSSN AGM \n\n2.40 – 3.40                   The politicisation/ de-politicisation and/or re-politicisatio n of children and young people’s voluntary action: Panel discussion  Al ison Body (University of Kent)\, Esther Muddiman (WISERD\, Cardiff Univers ity)\, Chris Taylor (WISERD\, Cardiff University) and Emily Lau (Canterbu ry University)\n\n3.40 – 4.40                  Panel di scussion: Territorial policy - Reflections from practice\n\nEnding rough s leeping? The impact of government initiatives to end rough sleeping on vol untary sector organisations across England\, Wales and Scotland Mike Hemmi ngs (York Saint John University)\n\nAdvocacy or complicity? Tensions from volunteer befriending inside a British immigration detention centre Joanne Vincett (Open University)\n\nWelsh Town Twinning: A future for civil soci ety across borders\, or the end of association? Bryonny Goodwin-Hawkins &a mp\; Rhys Dafydd Jones (Aberystwyth University)\n\n4.40 – 4.45                   Closing Remarks Angela Ellis-Paine\, Co Chair\, V SSN\n\n \;\n\n CATEGORIES:Day Conference LOCATION:Butetown Community Centre\, Cardiff University\, Cardiff\, \, CF1 0 3WT\, United Kingdom GEO:51.48662710000001;-3.1788641000000553 X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=Cardiff University\, Cardif f\, \, CF10 3WT\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Butetown Comm unity Centre:geo:51.48662710000001,-3.1788641000000553 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:83@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20200624T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20200624T160000 DTSTAMP:20200612T080021Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/online-peer-support-event-for-new-resea rchers-how-to-publish-from-your-phd-2/ SUMMARY:Online peer support event for new researchers: how to publish from your PhD DESCRIPTION:Join us online for a conversation with Chris Dayson and Ali Body who are the Policy and Practice Editors for Voluntary Sector Revie w (VSR).  They have a wealth of experience about writing for publication .  Bring along your questions about how to publish from your PhD.\n\n\n\n VSR is the journal published by Policy Press in association with VSSN.  I f you are currently a member of VSSN you will already be receiving the jou rnal as part of your membership.\n\n\n\n\n\nPlease join us on Wednesday Ju ne 24\, from 3-4 (with a bit of flexibility to stay online until 4.30)\n\n \n\n\n\n\nPlease join us using the following link https://uofglasgow.zoom. us/j/7232175300 .     We look forward to seeing you.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:84@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20200805T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20200805T160000 DTSTAMP:20200715T143849Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/online-forum-for-new-researchers-august -5-2020-at-3-00-4-00-pm/ SUMMARY:Online forum for new researchers - August 5 2020 at 3.00-4.00 pm DESCRIPTION:Our next session for new researchers will take place on Wednesd ay August 5th\, 3-4 pm.  This will be an open forum for new researchers i n the field of voluntary studies and voluntary action hosted by Vita Terry and Jane Cullingworth from VSSN's steering group.  The session is an ope n space to talk\, share ideas and provide support to each other.\n\nZoom l ink: https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/96059310747\n\nPlease note\, you do not need to be a member of VSSN to participate – however\, we do encourage you to join VSSN.  VSSN is a membership driven organisation that relies o n its members for support.  Membership offers a number of benefits and is on a sliding scale\; you can find out more here.\n\nPlease contact Jane C ullingworth at janecullingworthvssn@gmail.com for more information.\n\n&nb sp\; END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:86@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20201120T123000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20201120T160000 DTSTAMP:20201111T114522Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/voluntary-sector-studies-network-vssn-o nline-day-conference-20th-november-2020-1230-1600/ SUMMARY:Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) AGM & Online Day Conference \, 20th November 2020\, 12:15 – 16:00 DESCRIPTION:Volunteering in Health and Social Care in the context of COVID- 19: making a difference in a complex landscape of rising demand.\n\nVSSN ’s next day conference will take place on 20th November 2020\, hosted by the Institute for Volunteering Research at University of East Anglia in N orwich. We will explore volunteering in health and social care in the cont ext of COVID-19\, considering the opportunities and challenges encountered in a complex landscape of rising demand and the difference volunteering m akes.\n\nPressures are growing on volunteer-involving organisations\, loca lly based community organisations and social enterprises to respond to inc reasing and diverse demands for volunteers to provide health and social ca re services in the context of COVID-19. These range from national campaign s to recruit large numbers of new volunteers for a variety of new tasks an d settings\, to the need for social prescribing and increased community in volvement.\n\nThis day conference specifically aims to explore:\n\n the c urrent context of volunteering in health and social care\,\n the current policy drivers\n new and innovative approaches now being promoted to deal with demand\,\n what difference volunteering makes to health and social care\, volunteers\, volunteer involving organisations and wider society.\n \nTHE EVENT\n\nProgramme:\n\nProgramme:\n\n12:15 – 12:45 Annual General Meeting\n\nVolunteering in Health and Social Care in the context of COVID- 19: \nmaking a difference in a complex landscape of rising demand\n\n12:45 – 13:00 Participants log in\n\n13:00 – 13:10 Welcome and Introduction (Ali Body)\n\n13:10 – 14:00 What is it like to volunteer in health and social care under COVID-19?\n\nWhat is it like to volunteer? \nA Phenomeno logical insight\, investigating the relationship between volunteers and th eir organisations.\nCarol Hebden & Dr Paul McDonald\, Newman University.\n \nThe view from my window. \nPractice insights from ‘Come singing’ and ‘Music Mirrors’ of volunteering under COVID-19.\nHeather Edwards\n\n1 4:00 – 14:30 Break\n\n14:30 – 15:20 The link between volunteering and health inequalities under COVID-19? \n\nDisconnected discourses about Pati ent and Public Involvement and Volunteer Involvement in English health and social care. \nProfessor Fiona Poland\, University of East Anglia\n\nMove at the speed of trust: \nMobilisation of volunteering in the context of h ealth inequalities and need.\nProfessor Jane South\, Leeds Beckett Univers ity\n\n15:20 – 15:30 Short Break\n\n15:30 – 15:50 Speaker Panel with q uestions from chat room \n\n15:50 – 16:00 Closing and Thank you. (Jurgen Grotz)\n\nBookings are still open. \n\nAttending the event\n\nVSSN aims t o promote an understanding of the UK voluntary sector through research. Th e event is aimed at researchers\, academics\, doctoral students and practi tioners in voluntary organisations or foundations interested in the UK vol untary sector. We also welcome policymakers and practitioners engaged in r elevant fields. We are always pleased to meet and receive contributions fr om colleagues in similar settings in other countries. The working language is English.\n\n[wpforms id="8817"]\n\n \;\n\n \;\n END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:88@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20210623T080000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20210623T180000 DTSTAMP:20210617T075421Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/voluntary-sector-studies-network-vssn-o nline-day-conference-23rd-june-2021-2/ SUMMARY:Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) Online Day Conference\, 23r d June 2021 - full programme now announced! DESCRIPTION:VOLUNTEERING IN A GLOBAL PANDEMIC\n\nSharing views and experien ces from around the globe\, about the difference voluntary action makes du ring and after COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nWednesday\, 23 June 2021\nSession 1 – Panellists from Asia\, Pacific Region:\n08:00 – 09:30 (BST\, UTC+1)\ ; Singapore 15:00 – 16:30 (UTC+8) \n\nSession 2 – Panellists from Afri ca\, Europe:\n12:00 – 13:30 (BST\, UTC+1)\; Cape Town 13:00 – 14:30 ( UTC+2) \n\nSession 3 – Panellists from Americas:\n16:00 – 17:30 (BST\, UTC+1)\; Panama 10:00 – 11:30 (UTC- 5)\n\nThis year’s UK Voluntary Se ctor Studies Network (VSSN) Spring day conference is hosted by the Institu te for Volunteering Research at University of East Anglia in Norwich\, UK\ , in collaboration with the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) and the International Forum for Volunteering in Development (FORUM ) and the Third Sector Research Centre (TSRC)\, UK. The event will be onli ne\, in three sessions\, for up to 450 viewers per session. The event is f ree but timely registration is required.\n\nWe will hear from 15 panellist s from around the globe what difference voluntary action makes during and after COVID-19 pandemic. Viewers will have a chance to post questions and comments\, in real time\, in writing\, in an online chat function. This da y conference specifically aims to explore:\n• diverse international pers pective\n• alternative approaches to the pandemic\n• suggestions of wh at can be learned from the various approaches.\n\nPlease see the full prog ramme set out below:\n\nSession 1 – Panellists from Asia\, Pacific Regio n: 08:00 – 09:30 (BST\, UTC+1)\; Singapore 15:00 – 16:30 (UTC+8)\nWe lcome: Wendy Osborne\, IAVE Panel Chair: Chris Millora\, Universi ty of East Anglia\n\nPanellists: Charlotte Sung\, Hong Kong\; Mark Pearce \, Australia\; Shalabh Sahai\, India\; Undral Gombodorj\, Mongolia\; Max V entura\, Phillippines.\nTechnical Host: Jurgen Grotz\, Bianca Bianci\, IVR \n\nSession 2 – Panellists from Africa\, Europe: 12:00 – 13:30 (BST\, UTC+1)\; Cape Town 13:00 – 14:30 (UTC+2)\nWelcome: Carol Jacklin-Jarvis \, VSSN Panel Chair: Gabriella Civico\, European Volunteer Centre\ n\nPanellists: Catherine Nakazibwe\, Uganda\; Lejla Sehic Relic\, Croatia\ ; Fred Sadia\, Kenya\; Deedar Guerra\, Mozambique\; Ksenija Fonovic\, Ital y.\nTech Hosts: Jurgen Grotz\, Bianca Bianci\, IVR \n\nSession 3 – Panellists from Americas: 16:00 – 17:30 (BST\, UTC+1)\; Panama 10:00 – 11:30 (UTC- 5)\nWelcome: Clifford Allum\, TSRC Panel Chair: Nichole Cirillo\, IAVE\n\nPanellists: Meghan Moloney\, USA\; Carolina F reire\, Panama\; Giselle Mendez\, Trinidad and Tobago\; Carmen Espinoza\, Peru\; Analia Bettoni\, Uruguay.\nTech Hosts: Jurgen Grotz\, Bianca Bianci\, IVR\n\nIn each 90-minute session\, after a short introduction by the chair of the session host\, we will broadcast five pre-recorded posit ion statements from panellists and then have a panel discussion responding to comments and questions viewers post in the chat. \n\nPlease register f or each session you want to attend separately. You will need a dedicated l ink\, which will be sent to you 48 hours before the event.[wpforms id="900 8"]\n\n\n END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:90@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20220623 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20220624 DTSTAMP:20220622T082646Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/reimagining-leadership-the-potential-of -place-based-and-collective-leadership-in-the-voluntary-sector-23rd-june-b irmingham-2/ SUMMARY:REGRETFULLY CANCELLED TO ACCOMMODATE THE INDUSTRIAL ACTION ON THE R AILWAYS.‘Reimagining leadership: the potential of place based and collec tive leadership in the voluntary sector’: 23rd June\, Birmingham DESCRIPTION: \n‘Reimagining leadership: the potential of place based and collective leadership in the voluntary sector’ will take place on Thursd ay\, 23 June. To be held at The Studio\, Birmingham\, close to New Street Station: https://studiovenues.co.uk/venues/birmingham/ \n\nThis is the sec ond workshop on place leadership and the voluntary sector supported by Vol untary Sector Studies Network as part of a longer-term project to understa nd the relationship between place\, collective forms of leadership and the voluntary sector. Join our ongoing conversation on the relationship betw een place\, collective forms of leadership and the voluntary sector\, supp orted by VSSN. Listen to presentations from academics and practitioners a nd help us to understand the voluntary sector role in place leadership. Li mited places available - please email oubs-cvsl@open.ac.uk END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:94@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230524T090000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230524T160000 DTSTAMP:20230403T104834Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/polarisation-day-seminar/ SUMMARY:VSSN event: A one day conference on community and voluntary organis ations and polarisation #VSSN_Aber | 24 May 2023\, Aberystwyth University DESCRIPTION:The role of community and voluntary organisations in polarisati on in local communities \n\nThe National Library of Wales\, Aberystwyth\, UK\n\n24th May 2023\n\n09:00 – 16:00 face to face\n\n09:45 – 15.00 onl ine/hybrid\n\n#VSSN_Aber\n\nFull details: Eventbrite Registration Informa tion\n\nQuestions? Email cwps@aber.ac.uk\n\nIntroduction\n\nWe are deligh ted to announce that Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN) and the Wales Instituted of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) will jointly host a symposium to explore the role of community and voluntary organisat ions in polarisation in local communities\, discussing:\n\n inclusion and exclusion within the community and voluntary sector\,\n community cohesi on\, its drivers and obstacles\,\n polarisation and political conflict in local civil society\,\n community innovations for promoting unity and/or deliberative democracy\,\n the roles that community and voluntary organi sations play in reinforcing and/or resisting polarisation.\n\nPlease regis ter for the event online here\n\nProgramme\n\n09:00 – 10:00 Pre-conferen ce collegiate breakfast &\; networking session (face to face)\n\n10:00 – 10:10 Welcome and introductions (online/hybrid)\n\n10:10 – 11:40 Pre sentations and discussion (online/hybrid)\n\n11:40 – 13:00 Lunch &\; meet the community &\; voluntary organisations (face to face)\n\n12:30 – 13:00 Online networking (optional extra) (online)\n\n13:00 – 14:00 P resentations and discussion (online/hybrid)\n\n14:00 – 14:30 Keynote Spe aker: Future Generations Commissioner (online/hybrid)\n\n14:30 – 15:00 A fternoon Tea &\; Alison Goldsworthy: Next Steps (online/hybrid)\n\n15:0 0 – 16:00 Final dialogue encounters &\; collegiate cakes (face to fac e)\n\n \;\n\nRationale\n\nThe event is part of a regular series of VSS N day events and part of the dissemination and involvement activities of W ISERD project “Populism\, Conflict and Political Polarisation”.\n\nA g rowing theoretical concern of voluntary sector studies is to challenge the presumption that voluntary and charitable activity is always imbued with a social good (Grotz and Leonard\, 2022\, pp 57-76). Theorists are beginni ng to recognise civil society organisations whose collective activities pe rpetuate division or conflict (Edwards 2014). Yet\, grassroots communities can also be viewed as the loci through which polarisation and populism is resisted (Ife 2021). Polarisation theorists draw on democracy theory in p olitical science\, intergroup contact theory in psychology alongside analy sis of how attitudes can be altered to identify strategies for overcoming societal divides. (Goldsworthy et al. 2022).\n\n \;\n\nFormat\n\nThe f ormat for this day conference will respond to the specific dimension of po larisation that can divide academic expertise from the wider society and a lso works with face to face\, online and hybrid options. The day conferenc e will be facilitated promoting dialogue between academics and voluntary s ector practitioners from a broad range of civil society organisations\, re cognising their dual expertise and drawing on inclusive and participative involvement methods\, thus putting theory concerning how to break down div ides into practice. “Minds shall be open\, conversations shall be kind\, and different knowledges shall have equal value” (Locke and Grotz\, 202 2\, p:191).\n\n \;\n\nResources\n\nThis VSSN day event will be support ed by:\n\n Aberystwyth WISERD. This forms part of an ongoing ESRC researc h project called Populism\, Conflict and Political Polarisation as part of the Civic Stratification and Civil Repair theme at the WISERD Civil Socie ty Centre.\n The Centre for Welsh Politics and Society (CWPS) at Aberystw yth University.\n The Dialogue Centre\, which has recently been launched by Aberystwyth University to advance dialogue approaches in Knowledge Exch ange.\n\n \n\nReferences \n\nEdwards\, M. 2014. Civil Society\, Cambridge \, Polity.\n\nGoldsworthy\, A.\, Osborne \,L. and Chesterfield\, A. (2022) Poles Apart: Why People Turn Against Each Other\, and How to Bring Them T ogether\, London: Penguin.\n\nGrotz\, J. and Leonard\, R. (2022) Volunteer Involvement: An Introduction to Theory and Practice\, Cham: Palgrave Macm illan.\n\nIfe\, J. (2021) Right-wing populism and community development: b eyond modernity and liberal democracy\, Kenny\, S.\, Ife\, J. Westoby\, P. (eds.) Populism\, Democracy and Community Development\, Bristol: Policy P ress\, p.39-54\n\nLocke\, M. and Grotz\, J. eds. (2022) Volunteering\, res earch and the test of experience\, Norwich: UEA Publishing Project. END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:95@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20230524T090000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20230524T160000 DTSTAMP:20230301T105833Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/vssn-spring-seminar-the-role-of-communi ty-and-voluntary-organisations-in-polarisation-in-local-communities/ SUMMARY:VSSN Spring Seminar: The role of community and voluntary organisati ons in polarisation in local communities DESCRIPTION:The role of community and voluntary organisations in polarisati on in local communities: Wednesday\, 24 May 2023\nThe National Library of Wales\, Aberystwyth\n09:00 – 16:00 face to face\n09:45 – 14:45 online/ hybrid \n\nWe are delighted to announce that Voluntary Sector Studies Netw ork (VSSN) and the Wales Instituted of Social and Economic Research and Da ta (WISERD) will jointly host a symposium to explore the role of community and voluntary organisations in polarisation in local communities\, discus sing:\n\n - inclusion and exclusion within the community and voluntary sector\,\n - community cohesion\, its drivers and obstacles\,\n - po larisation and political conflict in local civil society\,\n - communit y innovations for promoting unity and/or deliberative democracy\,\n - t he roles that community and voluntary organisations play in reinforcing an d/or resisting \n polarisation. \n\n#VSSN_Aber \n\nPlease register for the event through this Eventbrite link\n\n END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:96@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20230912 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20230914 DTSTAMP:20230619T093005Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/2023-voluntary-sector-and-volunteering- research-conference/ SUMMARY:2023 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference DESCRIPTION:Action\, Difference\, and Change in Local Civil Society\n\n2023 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference\n\nTuesday 12 – W ednesday 13 September 2023\n\nLocation: Sheffield Hallam University\, Shef field\, UK\n\nAbstract submission is now closed\n\nWe are pleased to say t hat booking for the conference is now open via the Sheffield Hallam Univer sity Store: https://store.shu.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/central-service s/events/voluntary-sector-and-volunteering-research-conference-2023.\n\nPr ovisional programme: : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zaHICn2Rs2Kagm4 iAX7lWLMSP-kZAtA9/edit?usp=sharing&\;ouid=112049576044860756554&\;rt pof=true&\;sd=true\n\nQuestions? Email vsvrconference@gmail.com\n\nFAQ s: https://www.vssn.org.uk/voluntary-sector-and-volunteering-research-conf erence-2023-faqs/\n\n\n\nDates\n\n\n\n8 May 2023\nDeadline for abstract su bmissions\n\n\n21 July 2023\nEarly bird rate ends\n\n\n18 August 2023\nCon ference booking closes\n\nDeadline for full paper submissions\n\n\n12-13 S eptember 2023\nThe conference\n\n\n\nCall for Papers  \n\nAction\, diffe rence\, and change in local civil society\n\nCommunity is the nourishing a ntidote to the individualised life. While loneliness and isolation can be alleviated by long-distance phone and video calls\, the value of local\, i n-person connections cannot be overstated. National or local government in terventions like the levelling up programme\, community wealth building pr ojects such as the ‘Preston model’\, and calls to build ‘15-minute n eighbourhoods’\, alongside the establishment of think tanks and a renewe d media focus on regional inequalities and town-led development\, show tha t there is a groundswell of attention towards how the local needs investme nt\, capacity\, and freedom to thrive.\n\nCivil society\, stretching from large formal organisations to informal everyday action and activism\, need s to be part of these conversations. The Covid-19 pandemic showed\, and co ntinues to show\, the central value of local voluntary action and the (re- )emergence of and interest in mutual aid. Within the voluntary sector\, st rong local infrastructure enables communities to influence decision-making \, builds partnerships and networks\, and encourages volunteering opportun ities. When support is accessible locally\, individuals and communities ca n prosper\, but we know that what this action looks like differs across lo calities\, partly driven by inequalities and structures\, with diverse app roaches to engaging those in need and policy practitioners in different pl aces.\n\nCritically\, we can also ask whether local or regional voluntary sectors are truly helping put power\, resources and decision-making into t he hands of local communities\, and what role local groups have in transfo rmation and empowerment at community level. Co-production has become centr al to how many in civil society think\, but what does that mean in differe nt areas\, and what does enriching co-production look like? Similarly\, sm all and medium-sized charities have been shown to be a vital part of every day life in local communities\, with research demonstrating the value of t hese organisations in enabling people to get by\, especially at a time of inter-locking crises. Local voluntary action has multiple diverse historie s\, that can tell us about how to tackle the problems of today and the fut ure.\n\nThis conference invites participants to explore these issues. The  Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference 2023 is organised by the Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN)\, in partnership with V oluntary Action Sheffield (VAS)\, and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). It will provide a unique opportunity for academics \, policy makers and practitioners from the UK and further afield to come together to share findings and discuss the implications of research for ci vil society.\n\nOur Conference Track invites research contributions focu sed on ‘Action\, difference\, and change in local civil society’. Thes e could include: specific case studies of local voluntary action\; histori cal accounts of local change\; comparative studies of localities\; protest and activism within specific communities\; cross-sector collaborations\; geographical and place-based mapping\; action research with local groups\; and many other forms of project.\n\nAims and streams\n\nThe conference ai ms to:\n\n Contribute to evidence and theory-building in the field\n Dev elop emerging research ideas\n Inform and be informed by the work of prac titioners\n Inform and influence policy\n\nWe welcome submissions for ind ividual papers\, panel sessions and workshops. We are particularly keen to receive proposals for the Conference Theme\, but also welcome papers that address any issues relevant to volunteering and the voluntary sector\, al igned to the following streams:\n\n The Conference Theme – Action\, dif ference\, and change in local civil society\n Diversity\, (in)equality an d inclusion\n The Covid-19 pandemic and voluntary action\n Democracy and grassroots voluntary action\n Volunteering\, participation and social ac tion\n Advances in theory and methods\n Resources\, including funding\, fundraising\, philanthropy\, social enterprise\, and social investment\n Organisational management and governance\, including law and regulation\n Historical perspectives on civil society\, the voluntary sector and volun teering\n Measuring civil society: outcomes\, impact and social value\n\n Booking\n\nWe are pleased to say that booking for the conference is now op en via the Sheffield Hallam University Store: https://store.shu.ac.uk/conf erences-and-events/central-services/events/voluntary-sector-and-volunteeri ng-research-conference-2023.\n\nEarly Bird rates for the conference are in place until 21st July\, when prices will increase.\n\nThere are different price rates for Members (of VSSN\, NCVO\, or VAS)\, non-Members\, and Con cessions\, and one-day or two-day attendance.\n\nIf you are booking at the member rate\, please make sure you are a member of VSSN\, VAS\, or NCVO. Membership with VSSN starts at £35 and is available here: www.vssn.org.uk /join. The Concessionary rate is for VSSN members from small organisations (<\;£500k income)\, unwaged\, students\, new researchers\, or retired. \n\nIf you have any questions at this stage\, please do not hesitate to co ntact us at: vsvrconference@gmail.com.\n\nPricing Structure\n\n\n\nCategor y\nEarly-Bird Price (until 21 July)\nStandard Price (until 18 August)\n\n\ nTwo day rates (includes conference dinner):\n\n\n\n\nMembers (of VSSN\, N CVO\, VAS)\n£270\n£340\n\n\nConcessionary rate*\n£140\n£190\n\n\nNon-M embers\n£380\n£420\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOne day rates (conference dinner is ex tra):\n\n\n\n\nMembers (of VSSN\, NCVO\, VAS)\n£150\n£180\n\n\nNon-Membe rs\n£200\n£230\n\n\nConcessionary rate*\n£80\n£110\n\n\nConference Din ner (optional)\n£35\n£35\n\n\n\n*For VSSN members from small organisatio ns (<\;£500k income)\, unwaged\, students\, new researchers\, retired\, including conference dinner.\n\nTwo day rate includes welcome workshop fr om approx. 12-4 on Monday 11th for students and new researchers.\n\nPlenar y sessions\n\nAlongside the paper sessions and workshops\, the programme w ill include plenary sessions\, with an exciting line up of keynote present ations. These will include the opportunity for roundtable sessions where p articipants will have the opportunity to meet and share ideas with new and experienced researchers in their field\, developing social and profession al networks and agendas for future research and practice.\n\nThis year our plenary speakers include:\n\n Dr Caitlin McMullin\, Associate Professor of Public Administration at Aalborg University in Denmark\, and the author of the recent book Non-profit Organizations and Co-production: The Logic s Shaping Professional and Citizen Collaboration.\n Maddy Desforges OBE\, Chief Executive of the National Association for Voluntary and Community A ction\, and previously Chief Executive of Voluntary Action Sheffield.\n\nM ore plenary speakers will be confirmed soon.\n\nNew Researchers\n\nThe Con ference is an ideal opportunity for new or early career researcher looking to meet\, discuss and present their research with other new researchers i n a supportive setting. A special conference welcome event will run on Mo nday 11th September for newer researchers and students to meet\, network\ , and gain support from the VSSN community. Attendance at the conference i s subsidised and is intended for all early career researchers in the field of voluntary sector/volunteering studies\, whether postgraduate students or those working/volunteering in the voluntary sector. For more details ab out how the New Researchers Stream works\, please visit here: https://www .vssn.org.uk/2023-new-researcher-stream/\n\nBest paper prizes\n\nCampbell Adamson Memorial Prize\n\nPresenters who submit a full paper by the 18 Aug ust deadline will automatically be considered for the Campbell Adamson Mem orial Prize for best paper\, which includes a £300 prize sponsored by NCV O.\n\nDuncan Scott New Researchers Prize\n\nParticipants in the New Resear chers sessions who submit a full paper by the 18 August deadline will auto matically be considered for the Duncan Scott New Researchers Prize for bes t paper\, which includes a £100 prize.\n\nVoluntary Sector Review Best A rticle Prize\n\nThe conference will also see the third annual Voluntary S ector Review Best Article Prize awarded\, with the authors of the winning article receiving a joint £300 prize from the publisher Policy Press and VSSN.\n\nWant to find out more?\n\nBooking for the conference will open s hortly. In the meantime\, you can email us for more information: vsvrconf erence@gmail.com\, or you can visit our website: www.vssn.org.uk. END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:97@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231101T000000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231101T130000 DTSTAMP:20230921T164842Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/annual-general-meeting/ SUMMARY:Annual General Meeting DESCRIPTION:Ist November 2023\n\nThe VSSN annual general meeting will be he ld online on Wednesday 1st November from 12 noon - 1pm.\n\nPlease add this link to your calendar  https://shu.zoom.us/my/jondean\n\nCome along to h ear what we have achieved in the last year and the plans for looking forwa rd. We will present to members:\n\n the annual report\n the outcome of t he trustee elections\n the outcome of the elections to the Editorial Mana gement Board\n\nWe look forward to seeing you there and to your contributi ons in helping us shape the future of VSSN. END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:98@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231116T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231116T170000 DTSTAMP:20230921T165251Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/voluntary-action-paradigms-in-wales-and -northern-ireland/ SUMMARY:Voluntary Action Paradigms in Wales and Northern Ireland DESCRIPTION:This webinar is part of the VSSN event series ‘Forging Volunt ary Sector Studies Research Involvement Networks within and across the fou r nations of the UK’\n\n"The basic problem with the voluntary sector res earch agenda in Northern Ireland is that there isn't one!"\n\nBuilding on VSSN's successful event in Aberystwyth\, we will discuss the current situa tion of voluntary sector research with colleagues from Wales and Northern Ireland. Drawing on the learning from our full day face to face event in W ales in May 2023\, we seek to develop the objectives for the next full day face to face event in Northern Ireland\, May 2024.\n\nThe event will be h eld online and you can book a place on eventbrite by following this link\n \nhttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/voluntary-action-paradigms-in-wales-and-n orthern-ireland-tickets-716464292987?\n\n \; END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:101@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240625T093000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240625T174500 DTSTAMP:20240504T094108Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/closing-the-gaps-collaborating-on-volun tary-and-community-sector-research-in-northern-ireland/ SUMMARY:Closing the Gaps: Collaborating on voluntary and community sector r esearch in Northern Ireland DESCRIPTION:The event is free thanks to venue being made available by colla borator NICVA and catering being paid for by WISERD and Queen’s Universi ty Belfast. Online registration is required before Friday\, 21 June 2024\, 12:00.\nIntroduction\nThe Voluntary Sector Studies Network\, Volunteer No w\, NICVA\, Queen’s University Belfast\, Ulster University and ARC are d elighted to jointly host a symposium to explore pathways to collaborating on voluntary and community sector research in Northern Ireland.\n\nAims of the day will include:\n\n To recognise and map out the breadth of multi- disciplinary approaches to voluntary and community sector research in diff ering fields such as health and social care\, community development\, yout h\, environment\, arts\, equality\, employment\, sports\, social enterpris e\, housing\, and social policy.\n To strengthen sustainable relationship s between academic researchers and practitioners in the voluntary and comm unity sector in Northern Ireland\n To consider models of Voluntary Sector Research Partnerships.\n To identify gaps and build a future research ag enda for Northern Irish Voluntary and Community Sector Research.\n\nResear ch within and about the voluntary and community sector springs up in many different settings and across a range of disciplines. One of the challenge s faced by colleagues in Northern Ireland is to not lose past expertise on Northern Irish voluntary and community sector research\, to collate exist ing knowledge and connect with others interested in the voluntary and comm unity sector research.\n\nThe titles and contributors of the indicative pr ogramme overview are still being collaboratively developed. However\, the structure and the underlying focus on interaction has been agreed.\nIndica tive Programme Overview\n09:30 – 10:15  Collegiate breakfast and networ king session\n\n10:15 – 10:30  Welcomes\n\n10:30 – 10:45 First Keynot e TBC\n\n10:45 – 11:30  Presentations on the subject ‘Why\, collabora tive research?'\, Carl Milofsky (chair)\, Nick Acheson\, Wendy Osborne\n\n 11:30 – 11:45   Break\n\n11:45 – 12:30  World Café on the subject of ‘Where\, collaborative research’.\n\n12:30 – 13:15  Lunch\n\n13: 15 – 13:30  Second Keynote TBC\n\n13:30 – 14:30  Panel session on th e subject of ‘How\, collaborative research’. Laurance Taggart\, Dirk S chobutz\n\n14:30 – 14:45 Break\n\n14:45 – 15:30 Break out activity on the subject ‘Let’s get together for collaborative research’. Facilit ated by Amy Sanders\n\n15:30 – 15:45   Thank you and closing (Jurgen G rotz)\n\nFor more information and to register (before Friday\, 21 June 202 4\, 12:00) go to: https://www.nicva.org/event/closing-the-gaps-collaborat ing-on-voluntary-and-community-sector-research-in-northern-ireland LOCATION:NICVA\, 61 Duncairn Gardens\, Belfast\, BT15 2GB\, United Kingdom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=61 Duncairn Gardens\, Belfa st\, BT15 2GB\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=NICVA:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:100@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20240910 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20240911 DTSTAMP:20240308T102022Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/9485/ SUMMARY:Pre-conference Welcome Event for New Researchers DESCRIPTION:New Researchers – Call for Papers\nWelcome event: Tuesday\, 1 0 September 2024\nMain Conference: Wednesday – Thursday\, 11-12 Septembe r 2024\n\nLocation: Bayes Business School\, City\, University of London\, London\, UK\n\nSubmit your abstract by the deadline\, 8 May 2024: https:// www.vssn.org.uk/2024-conference-abstract-submission/ \n\nQuestions? Email  vsvrconference@gmail.com\n\n \;\n\nAs part of the Voluntary Sector a nd Volunteering Research Conference 2024\, we will continue to welcome New Researchers. The Conference is an ideal opportunity for new or early care er researchers looking to discuss and present their research in a supporti ve setting.  The New Researchers stream is intended for all early career researchers in the field of voluntary sector/volunteering studies. Our def inition is inclusive of students\, those new to an academic career\, pract itioners\, and those in-between.\n\nOur aim is to foster a strong communit y amongst New Researchers by providing an opportunity to:\n\n present you r research to other voluntary sector and volunteering researchers\n recei ve constructive feedback in a supportive environment\n develop relationsh ips with other new researchers\n network with established researchers and practitioners\n\nMany well-established researchers in our sector started out their careers by participating as new researchers at the conference. F eedback from past years suggests that attending as a new researcher helps establish a positive network at the conference and beyond.\nSubmissions an d presentations\nAt the conference\, New Researchers have the opportunity to choose to present in one of two ways:\n\n Within the main conference p roceedings. We encourage New Researchers seeking subject-specific feedback to choose this option. In your submission\, you can propose a formal conf erence presentation or choose other ways to present your research\, such a s a short workshop\, a poster\, or creative session. Each presenter will b e given around 20-30 minutes for their presentation and Q&\;A.\n In fr ont of other New Researchers only\, at the pre-conference Welcome Event (s ee further details below). This is a more informal environment where New R esearchers can practice their presentation skills. We anticipate these pre sentations will be shorter than the main conference (approximately 15 minu tes each).\n\nSubmit your abstract here: https://www.vssn.org.uk/2024-conf erence-abstract-submission/\nPre-conference Welcome Event\nIn addition to the main conference on Tuesday and Wednesday\, we will be hosting a pre-co nference Welcome Event solely for New Researchers on Tuesday\, 10 Septembe r\, including lunch. This event is for all New Researchers: both those pre senting in the main conference\, and those who prefer to present in this i nformal environment.\n\nThis will be a great chance to get to know each ot her before the conference\, build networks and share learning. This event is included in the main conference price for new researchers.\nOpportunity for feedback\nFor those presenting at the New Researchers Welcome Event\, we aim to have established researchers at each of the sessions to provide feedback. We also encourage participants to give each other feedback.\nDu ncan Scott New Researchers' Prize\nIf you submit a full paper by a deadlin e of the 16th August it will be considered for the Duncan Scott New Rese archers Prize which includes an award of £100. Your paper should:\n\n be between 2\,500 and 4\,500 words\, including references\n include a liter ature review\n include a methodology section\n provide analysis of (earl y) findings if appropriate\n include full references using a recognised r eferencing style (e.g. Harvard)\n\nIf you have not completed your research data collection or analysis\, it is fine to give some idea of any emergin g themes or your next steps in the project – they do not have to be full y-formed.  We accept that other researchers may have worked on your resea rch project and so may be listed\, but the paper itself must be written by one or more New Researchers.\nFees\nAs part of its commitment to New Rese archers\, VSSN subsidises the cost of attending.  The exact fee will be announced soon\, but we anticipate that it will be in the region of £140- £160 for the three days. The fee will include registration for both main conference days and the Welcome Event on Tuesday\, 10 September\, lunc h and refreshments on all days\, and the conference dinner on Wednesday\ , 11 September.\n\nPlease note:\n\n you or your employer must be a member of either VSSN\, Voluntary Action Islington or NCVO to receive the subsid ised rate (membership of VSSN starts at £35 and includes a lot of great b enefits: https://www.vssn.org.uk/join/)\n please book as early as possibl e to ensure your place in the programme\n the fee does not include accomm odation or travel\n\nVSSN provides a limited number of bursaries to cover conference fees for individuals who do not have access to funding from the ir organisation/institution and would not otherwise be able to participate . For more information\, please email vsvrconference@gmail.com\nBooking a place at the conference\nBookings for the conference will open in May. De tails will be provided shortly.\nMore Information\nIf you have any queries about the New Researchers' Stream\, please contact us at: vsvrconference@ gmail.com CATEGORIES:New Researchers Event,Research Conference LOCATION:Bayes Business School\, City\, University of London\, 106 Bunhill Row\, London\, EC1Y 8TZ\, United Kingdom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=106 Bunhill Row\, London\, EC1Y 8TZ\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Bayes Business School \, City\, University of London:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:99@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20240911 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20240913 DTSTAMP:20240903T102752Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/2024-voluntary-sector-and-volunteering- research-conference/ SUMMARY:2024 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference DESCRIPTION:Voice of the people? Democracy\, representation\, and involveme nt in and through the voluntary sector and volunteering \nWednesday – Th ursday\, 11-12 September 2024\n\nLocation: Bayes Business School\, City\, University of London\, London\, UK\n\n \;\nRegistration for the Confer ence (closes 1 September 2024)\nThe conference is open to all to attend. T o book\, go to: https://www.bayes.city.ac.uk/faculties-and-research/centre s/cce/events#jump-to-VSVR-conference\n\nWe are pleased to say that the pri ces for the conference have been held for the past two years\, with discou nts available for early bird bookings until 22nd July. As with past confer ences\, a members concession price is available for those from small organ isations (<\;£500k income)\, students\, new researchers\, unwaged or re tired. Details are below.\n\n\n\nCategory\nEarly-Bird Price (until 22 July )\nStandard Price (until bookings close 1 Sept)\n\n\nTwo-day Member (of VS SN\, NCVO\, VAI)\, including conference dinner\n£270\n£340\n\n\nTwo-day Member Concessionary rate\, for those VSSN/NVO/VAI members from small orga nisations (<\;£500k income)\, unwaged\, students\, new researchers\, re tired\, including conference dinner.\n\nNote: This includes additional\, o ptional\, workshop on Tuesday\, 10 Sept for students and new researchers\n £140\n£190\n\n\nTwo-day Non-member rate\, including conference dinner\n £380\n£420\n\n\nOne-day Member (of VSSN\, NCVO\, VAI)\n£150\n£180\n\n\ nOne-day Member Concessionary rate\, for VSSN/NCVO/VAI members from small organisations (<\;£500k income)\, unwaged\, students\, new researchers\ , retired\n£80\n£110\n\n\nOne day non-member rate\n£200\n£230\n\n\nCon ference Dinner (for one-day attendees to add if they wish to join us for d inner)\n£35\n£35\n\n\n\nVSSN strives to make the annual conference acces sible\, affordable and inclusive. In response to feedback\, VSSN is extend ing access to concession rates for this year (2024) and welcomes feedback for future years. In exceptional circumstances\, the concession rate may a pply to:\n\n any member experiencing precarity (e.g. temporary short-term research contracts) or financial difficulty in attending (e.g.  without access to an institutional budget for attendance)\;\n non-members from sm all voluntary organisations (<\;£500k income)\, students\, new research ers\, and unwaged and retired individuals facing financial difficulty in attending\;\n individuals facing precarity or financial difficulty in mee ting the costs of membership and attending the conference (e.g.\, those wi th substantial travel costs).\n\nIndividuals meeting any of the above thre e criteria and wanting to access the concessionary rate are encouraged to contact the conference organisers via vsvrconference@gmail.com\, outlining their reasons for requesting the concession rate before 22 July 2024. Dec isions will be made on a case-by-case basis.\n\nAll delegates are responsi ble for booking their own accommodation. Recommendations for accommodation close to the venue will be provided shortly within a FAQ section.\n\n&nbs p\;\nThis year's conference theme\nWith political elections both in the UK and around the world\, 2024 marks a year of challenge and opportunity for the voluntary sector in relation to its engagement with communities and r ole within democracy.\n\nRecent events such as the COVID-19 crisis\, war i n Ukraine and the Middle East\, and cost of living pressures\, have seen a renewed focus on the way voluntary sector organisations are able to respo nd to challenges at local\, national\, and international levels\, often wo rking alongside those in the public and for-profit sectors.\n\nAt the same time\, the sector is facing challenges to its position as primary communi ty representative and preferred route of community engagement as a result of the growth of alternative forms of citizen involvement in public life\, for example through advances in technology and through direct action.\n\n Similarly\, the diversity of the sector means that overall judgements and assumptions about ways of working are difficult to substantiate and many o rganisations lack the capacity\, skills\, or inclination to engage with br oader discussions about their place in democracy. Many organisations activ ely shy away from political or value-based discussions and instead focus o n their service offer and immediate service user need.\n\nThis situation e xists despite the voluntary sector and volunteering being seen as vital el ements of societal democracy\, notably by surfacing and communicating issu es that may not otherwise be acknowledged\, and addressing issues and topi cs that would otherwise be neglected.\n\nThis leaves us with a variety of questions including: how legitimate is the sector’s position in both rep resenting and engaging with communities? How do voluntary sector organisat ions engage in political debates? What is the sector’s usefulness in dem ocratic systems? What is the relationship between volunteering and democra cy? What standards of democracy should voluntary sector organisations them selves be held to? And\, ultimately\, can the sector truly act as the ‘v oice of the people’?\n\nThis conference invites participants to explore these issues\, whilst also hearing about the latest research covering a wi de range of topics relating to the voluntary sector and volunteering. The Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference 2024 is organised by the Voluntary Sector Studies Network (VSSN)\, in partnership with Volunta ry Action Islington (VAI)\, and the National Council for Voluntary Organis ations (NCVO). It is hosted by the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Bay es Business School\, City\, University of London. It will provide a unique opportunity for academics\, policy makers and practitioners from the UK a nd further afield to come together to share findings and discuss the impli cations of research for civil society.\n\n \;\nAims and streams\nThe c onference aims to:\n\n Contribute to evidence and theory-building in the field\n Develop emerging research ideas\n Inform and be informed by the work of practitioners\n Inform and influence policy\n\nIndividual papers\ , panel sessions and workshops will be presented concerning the following streams relevant to volunteering and the voluntary sector:\n\n The Confer ence Theme – Voice of the People?\n Diversity\, (in)equality and inclus ion\n Current and recent crises and voluntary action\n Democracy and gra ssroots voluntary action\n Volunteering\, participation and social action \n Advances in theory and methods\n Resources\, including funding\, fund raising\, philanthropy\, social enterprise\, and social investment\n Orga nisational management and governance\, including law and regulation\n His torical perspectives on civil society\, the voluntary sector and volunteer ing\n Measuring civil society: outcomes\, impact and social value\n\nCont ributions will be from those working in the voluntary sector and civil soc iety\, and research from a variety of disciplines\, including sociology\, social policy\, politics\, psychology\, geography\, economics\, business s tudies\, law\, anthropology\, philosophy and ethics and beyond!\n\n \; \n\n\n\n\nKey dates\n\n\n\n\n8 May 2024\nDeadline for abstract submissions \n\n\n22 July 2024\nEarly bird rate ends\n\n\n16 August 2024\nDeadline for full paper submissions\n\n\n1 September 2024\nConference booking closes\n \n\n10 September 2024\nNew Researchers' Stream welcome event\n\n\n11-12 Se ptember 2024\nThe Conference\n\n\n\n \;\nPlenary sessions\nAlongside t he paper sessions and workshops\, the programme will include plenary sessi ons\, with an exciting line up of keynote presentations. These will includ e the opportunity for roundtable sessions where participants will have the opportunity to meet and share ideas with new and experienced researchers in their field\, developing social and professional networks and agendas f or future research and practice.\n\n \;\nNew / Early Career Researcher s \nThe Conference is an ideal opportunity for new or early career researc hers looking to meet\, discuss and present their research with other new r esearchers in a supportive setting. A special conference welcome event wil l run on Tuesday\, 10 September\, for newer researchers and students to me et\, network\, and gain support from the VSSN community. New researchers c an choose to present papers either on this day or within the main conferen ce. The New Researchers’ stream is intended for all early career researc hers in the field of voluntary sector/volunteering studies. Our definition is inclusive of students\, those new to an academic career\, practitioner s\, and those in-between. Attendance at the conference is subsidised for N ew Researchers. For more details about how the New Researchers' stream wor ks\, please visit: https://www.vssn.org.uk/new-researchers-stream/\n\n&nbs p\;\nBest paper prizes\nCampbell Adamson Memorial Prize\nPresenters who su bmit a full paper by the 16 August deadline will automatically be consider ed for the Campbell Adamson Memorial Prize for best paper\, which includes a £300 prize sponsored by NCVO.\nDuncan Scott New Researchers' Prize\nNe w Researchers who submit a full paper by the 16 August deadline will autom atically be considered for the Duncan Scott New Researchers' Prize for bes t paper\, which includes a £100 prize.\nVoluntary Sector Review Best Arti cle Prize\nThe conference will also see the third annual Voluntary Sector Review Best Article Prize awarded\, with the authors of the winning articl e receiving a joint £300 prize from the publisher Policy Press and VSSN.\ n\n \;\nQuestions? Want to find out more?\nFor more information about the conference\, email us: vsvrconference@gmail.com. For more information about VSSN\, go to:  https://www.vssn.org.uk/about-us/benefits-of-members hip.\n\n \;\nRegistration for the Conference\nThe conference is open t o all to attend. For booking information\, go to: https://www.bayes.city.a c.uk/faculties-and-research/centres/cce/events#jump-to-VSVR-conference\n\n Early Bird rates apply until 22 July and bookings will close 1 September 2 024. CATEGORIES:Research Conference LOCATION:Bayes Business School\, City\, University of London\, London\, Uni ted Kingdom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=City\, University of London \, London\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Bayes Business Schoo l:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:103@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250611T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250611T160000 DTSTAMP:20250318T105439Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/perspectives-on-scotlands-third-sector- impact/ SUMMARY:Perspectives on Scotland’s Third Sector Impact DESCRIPTION:Perspectives on Scotland’s Third Sector Impact\n\nFor those w ho do\, use or commission research about volunteering or community and thi rd sector organisations\n\nFollowing the wide-ranging events that take pla ce in Volunteers’ Week in Scotland in the preceding week of June\, this day event will cast a critical eye over the many facets of impact that rel ate to the Third Sector in Scotland.\n\nThe Voluntary Sector Studies Netwo rk (VSSN) is delighted to jointly host this symposium with the Third Secto r Research Forum (hosted by Evaluation Support Scotland)\, the University of Glasgow\, Youth Link Scotland\, Volunteer Scotland and Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).\n\nCost: Free\nDate: Wednesday\, 11 J une 2025\nTime: 10:00 – 16:00\nLocation: Advanced Research Centre (ARC)\ , University of Glasgow\, 11 Chapel Ln\, Glasgow G11 6EW\n\nBook your plac e here\n\nFind more event information here. LOCATION:Advanced Research Centre\, University of Glasgow\, 11 Chapel Lane\ , Glasgow\, G11 6EW\, United Kingdom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=11 Chapel Lane\, Glasgow\, G11 6EW\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Advanced Research Cent re\, University of Glasgow:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:102@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20250715 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20250717 DTSTAMP:20250317T100044Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/organisational-records-an-interdiscipli nary-summer-school-in-july-2025/ SUMMARY:Voluntary Sector Archives Summer School. July 2025 DESCRIPTION:Please click the link below for details\n\nOrganisational recor ds: An interdisciplinary summer school in July 2025 LOCATION:Rockefeller Building\, UCL\, 21 University Street\, London\, WC1E 6DE\, United Kingdom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=21 University Street\, Lond on\, WC1E 6DE\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Rockefeller Buil ding\, UCL:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:104@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20250903 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London;VALUE=DATE:20250905 DTSTAMP:20250829T131518Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/https-www-vssn-org-uk-2025-voluntary-se ctor-and-volunteering-research-conference/ SUMMARY:2025 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference DESCRIPTION:2025 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference\n\n2 nd September\, New Researchers pre-conference session\n\n3rd and 4th Septe mber 2025\, VSVR conference ‘25 \n\nBayes Business School\, London\, Uni ted Kingdom\n\nCreating Change Together: Civil society working beyond sect or and organisational boundaries \n\nLocation: Bayes Business School\, Cit y\, University of London\, London\, UK\n\n \;\n\nRegistration for the Conference (closes 25th August 2025\, with early bird rate available until 18 July)\n\nYou can book your place at the conference here\n\nWe are plea sed to say that the prices for the conference have been held for the past three years\, with discounts available for early bird bookings until 18th  July. As with past conferences\, a members concession price is available for those from small organisations (<\;£500k income)\, students\, new researchers\, unwaged or retired. Details are below.\n\n\n\nCategory\nEarl y-Bird Price (until 18 July)\nStandard Price (until bookings close 25th Au gust)\n\n\nTwo-day Member (of VSSN\, NCVO\, VAI)\, including conference di nner\n£270\n£340\n\n\nTwo-day Member Concessionary rate\, for those VSSN /NVO/VAI members from small organisations (<\;£500k income)\, unwaged\, students\, new researchers*\, retired\, including conference dinner.\n\n* Note: This includes additional\, optional\, new researchers session on Tue sday\, 2 Sept\n£140\n£190\n\n\nTwo-day Non-member rate\, including confe rence dinner\n£380\n£420\n\n\nOne-day Member (of VSSN\, NCVO\, VAI)\n£1 50\n£180\n\n\nOne-day Member Concessionary rate\, for VSSN/NCVO/VAI membe rs from small organisations (<\;£500k income)\, unwaged\, students\, ne w researchers\, retired\n£80\n£110\n\n\nOne day non-member rate\n£200\n £230\n\n\nConference Dinner (for one-day attendees to add if they wish to join us for dinner)\n£35\n£35\n\n\n\nVSSN strives to make the annual co nference accessible\, affordable and inclusive. In response to feedback\, VSSN is extending access to concession rates for this year\, 2025. In exce ptional circumstances\, the concession rate may apply to:\n\n any member  experiencing precarity (e.g. temporary short-term research contracts) or financial difficulty in attending (e.g.  without access to an institutio nal budget for attendance)\;\n non-members from small voluntary organisa tions (<\;£500k income)\, students\, new researchers\, and unwaged and  retired individuals facing financial difficulty in attending\;\n indivi duals facing precarity or financial difficulty in meeting the costs of me mbership and attending the conference (e.g.\, those with substantial trave l costs).\n\nIndividuals meeting any of the above three criteria and wanti ng to access the concessionary rate are encouraged to contact the conferen ce organisers via VSVRConference@vssn.org.uk outlining their reasons for requesting the concession rate before 18 July 2025. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.\n\nAll delegates are responsible for booking the ir own accommodation. Recommendations for accommodation close to the venue will be provided shortly within a FAQ section.\n\nBook here\n\nThis year ’s conference theme\n\nThese are challenging times. Few would argue that if we have any hope of tackling the ever more complex challenges facing s ociety\, we must all work together to create lasting\, systemic change. Th inking and working together beyond organisational or sectoral boundaries i s essential. But what does this mean in practice?\n\nWe are used to thinki ng and working in terms of sectors and organisations. Both suggest bounded spaces comprised of certain types of organisations and individuals. Whils t talk of collaboration\, partnership\, compacts and covenants abound\, it is often with an emphasis on relationships between the voluntary sector a nd the state to the neglect of other actors such as private businesses\, c ommunities\, and individual citizens. Thinking is often underpinned by not ions of crossing or spanning boundaries between organisations or sectors w ith distinct forms\, logics and values. Focusing on what is distinct about the sector\, voluntary organisations and volunteering often involves the construction of\, often artificial\, boundaries to delineate what is count ed and what is not.\n\nHowever\, increasing attention is being paid to how we might think – and work - beyond bounded sectors and organisations\, through drawing on notions of networks\, movements\, systems\, space and p lace. A less centralised\, more dispersed\, less structured\, and less bou nded approach may prise open new ways of working and organising. This may open new avenues for research and enquiry by exploring innovative connecti ons between the traditional topics of study and broader fields of social a ctivity.\n\nThis year’s Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research confe rence seeks to explore different ways of thinking and organising\, acknowl edging\, whilst also looking beyond\, borders and boundaries. This might i nclude exploring alternative organisational forms\, collaborations of diff erent kinds between different sets of actors\, the adoption of more moveme nt-based approaches within and beyond voluntary organisations\, or what sy stems change means in theory and in practice. Looking beyond sectoral and organisational boundaries raises questions about how to organise in such s paces and how resources are used and distributed. It encourages us to expl ore how to build infrastructure\, capacity\, and support to do this work\, how to put people in the centre of design and delivery\, and how to resea rch and learn from more experimental approaches.\n\nThe Voluntary Sector a nd Volunteering Research Conference 2025 (VSVR ’25) invites participants to explore these issues associated with the conference theme\, whilst als o hearing about the latest research covering a wide range of topics relati ng to the voluntary sector and volunteering. Through plenary sessions\, pa pers\, panels\, and workshops we challenge presenters to help us to think as broadly and creatively as possible about the potentials\, limits\, and connections between the voluntary sector and volunteering working together and with others to create change through collaborations\, networks\, move ments\, and systems.\n\nVSVR ’25 is organised by the Voluntary Sector St udies Network (VSSN)\, in partnership with Voluntary Action Islington (VAI )\, and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO). It is hos ted by the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at Bayes Business School\, Cit y St George’s\, University of London. It will provide a unique opportuni ty for academics\, policy makers\, and practitioners\, from across the UK and further afield\, to come together to share findings and discuss the im plications of research for civil society\, the voluntary sector\, and volu nteering\n\nAims and streams\n\nThe conference aims to:\n• Contribute to evidence and theory-building in the field\n• Develop emerging research ideas\n• Inform and be informed by the work of practitioners\n• Shape future policy\n\nThemes covered within the conference programme include:\n • Creating Change Together\n• Diversity\, (in)equality and inclusion\n • Current and recent crises and voluntary action\n• Democracy and gras sroots voluntary action\n• Volunteering\, participation and social actio n\n• Advances in theory and methods\n• Resources\, including funding\, fundraising\, philanthropy\, social enterprise\, and social investment\n • Organisational management and governance\, including law and regulatio n\n• Historical perspectives on civil society\, the voluntary sector and volunteering\n• Measuring civil society: outcomes\, impact and social v alue\n\nParticipants include university academics and those working in the voluntary sector and civil society\, encompassing researchers from a vari ety of disciplines\, including sociology\, social policy\, politics\, psyc hology\, geography\, economics\, business studies\, law\, anthropology\, p hilosophy and ethics and beyond!\n\n \;\n\n\n\nKey dates\n\n\n\n12 May 2025\nAbstract submissions closed\n\n\n23 May 2025\nConference bookings o pened\n\n\n18 July 2025\nEarly bird rate ends\n\n\n11 August 2025\nDeadlin e for full paper submissions\n\n\n25th August 2025\nConference booking clo ses\n\n\n2 September 2025\nNew Researchers’ pre-conference session\n\n\n 3-4 September 2025\nVSVR Conference ‘25\n\n\n\n \;\n\nPlenary sessio ns\n\nAlongside the paper sessions and workshops\, the programme will incl ude plenary sessions\, with an exciting line up of keynote presentations ( watch this space for further announcements!). These will include the oppor tunity for roundtable sessions where participants will have the opportunit y to meet and share ideas with new and experienced researchers in their fi eld\, developing social and professional networks and agendas for future r esearch and practice.\n\nNew/ Early Careers Researchers\n\nThe Conference is an ideal opportunity for new or early career researchers looking to dis cuss and present their research in a supportive setting. A special confere nce welcome event will run on Tuesday 2nd September for New Researchers to meet\, network\, and gain support from the VSSN community. New researcher s can choose to present papers either on this day\, or within the main con ference. Our definition of ‘New Researcher’ is inclusive of PhD and ma ster’s students\, and those otherwise new to voluntary sector / voluntee ring research as academics\, practitioners\, and in-between! Attendance at the conference is subsidised for New Researchers through our concessionar y rate. For more details about the New Researchers programme\, please visi t here\n\n \;\n\nWant to find out more?\n\nYou can visit our website: www.vssn.org.uk  or email us for more information: VSVRConference@vssn.o rg.uk\n\nBest paper prizes\n\nCampbell Adamson Memorial Prize\n\nPresenter s who submit a full paper by the 11 August deadline will automatically be considered for the Campbell Adamson Memorial Prize for best paper\, which includes a £300 prize sponsored by NCVO.\n\nDuncan Scott New Researchers ’ Prize\n\nNew Researchers who submit a full paper by the 11 August dead line will automatically be considered for the Duncan Scott New Researchers ’ Prize for best paper\, which includes a £100 prize.\n\nVoluntary Sect or Review Best Article Prize\n\nThe conference will also see the third an nual Voluntary Sector Review Best Article Prize awarded\, with the autho rs of the winning article receiving a joint £300 prize from the publisher Policy Press and VSSN. LOCATION:Bayes Business School\, City\, University of London\, 106 Bunhill Row\, London\, EC1Y 8TZ\, United Kingdom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=106 Bunhill Row\, London\, EC1Y 8TZ\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Bayes Business School \, City\, University of London:geo:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:105@vssn.org.uk DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260908T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260908T160000 DTSTAMP:20260329T091409Z URL:https://www.vssn.org.uk/events/2026-voluntary-sector-and-volunteering- research-conference-new-researchers-day/ SUMMARY:2026 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference: New Res earchers' Day DESCRIPTION: CATEGORIES:New Researchers Event LOCATION:Watershed\, Bristol\, 1 Canon's Road\, Bristol\, BS1 5TX\, United Kingdom X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=1 Canon's Road\, Bristol\, BS1 5TX\, United Kingdom;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Watershed\, Bristol:ge o:0,0 END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:106@vssn.org.uk 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