Third Sector Research Centre TSRC

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Third Sector Research Centre TSRC
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Funding Base Economic and Social Research
Council - 5m Office of Third Sector -
5m Barrow Cadbury Trust - 250k Five year
commitment
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• Components
• Research Centre (TSRC)
• Capacity Building Clusters
• Middlesex lead Social Enterprise
• Lincoln lead Active Learning and Community
  Empowerment
• tbc

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TSRC University of Birmingham Centre base,
Pete Alcock, Director University of Southampton
John Mohan, Deputy Director University of Kent
Jeremy Kendall Middlesex University Fergus Lyon
(Social Enterprise)
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Partnership Funders Third Sector Agency
Partners NCVO, ACEVO, SEC, etc Devolved
administration partners Scotland, Wales,
Northern Ireland
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• Governance
• Management Group
• Internal body
• Steering Group
• Funders and nominees
• Formal accountability
• Advisory Group
• Partners key sector-based agencies

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• Consultation
• Reference Groups
• for research programmes and streams
• Collaboration with academics and practitioners
• Partnership in additional research activity
• Engagement and advice through TSRC website

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Research Programmes Evidence base Theoretical
and policy context Mapping and measuring Impact
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• Evidence Base
• Early priority
• Existing research
• Databases
• International and comparative sources
• Social enterprise stream

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• Theory and Policy
• Theoretical and conceptual analysis
• Third Sector?
• Civil Society
• Social enterprise?
• Policy context
• Policy agenda
• Practice impact

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• Mapping and Measuring
• Quantitative database (Southampton)
• Guidestar
• ONS
• Qualitative database (Birmingham)
• In depth sample
• Longitudinal analysis

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• Impact
• Service delivery
• Economic and social value
• Procurement and commissioning
• Organisational experience
• Engagement
• Independence and advocacy
• Below the radar

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Social Enterprise Stream Definition and
delineation Measuring social enterprises Social
enterprise and service delivery Social
enterprise and community cohesion
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• Knowledge Transfer
• ESRC OTS commitment CBCs
• TSRC
• Dissemination
• Engagement
• Capacity Building
• Research and Knowledge Brokers

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• Engagement
• Working with Stakeholders in policy and practice
• Centre events
• Seminars and conferences
• Visiting fellowships
• Training and support

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Collaboration Joint events and publications Web
links and shared web content Partnership in
additional or external projects Visiting
fellowships and practice placements
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• Early Priorities
• Review of existing research and data
• Six month timetable
• Establish partnerships and governance structures
• Engagement with stakeholders

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Big Questions What is the Third Sector? How can
we measure scale, impact and value? Can we
predict outcomes or impacts? Can we be sure to
capture all? What is the role for government
policy?
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Long Term Goals Robust databases for the
sector Longitudinal analysis of trends Analysis
of impact and engagement Enhanced capacity for
research Sustainability A permanent UK
research centre