Third sector research centre launches

For immediate release - Thursday 23rd October 2008

The Third Sector Research Centre (TSRC) officially opens its doors today (Thursday 23rd October), at the University of Birmingham. The TSRC will be led by Professor Pete Alcock of the University of Birmingham, in a joint venture with the University of Southampton where Professor John Mohan will be Deputy Director. The funding of £10.25 million over the next five years will come from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Office of the Third Sector (OTS) and The Barrow Cadbury Trust. 

"The Centre will bring together experts from a wide range of disciplines," explained Professor Alcock. "It is dedicated to analysing the impact of the sector's activities, its purpose is to conduct research and analysis to strengthen the evidence base for the entire third sector, including charities, social enterprises and small community organisations. It will work to deliver research into the effectiveness and impact of third sector organisations; mapping of the sector, and an enhanced understanding of its dynamics; specific research programmes of direct relevance to third sector policy and practice."

Professor Mohan commented, "This is a challenging but exciting time for the Third Sector. It is a new opportunity to provide an extensive and robust research resource for the Third Sector and to work closely with both policy makers and practitioners in building capacity and engagement."

Kevin Brennan, Minister of the Third Sector, added: "This new research centre is an important part of the Government's strategy to create the environment for a thriving third sector. Robust evidence is a key to that. The best way to attract financial support is to have clear evidence of the effectiveness of the third sector in changing society for the better. This new centre will help us all to show what works and what is special about the third sector."

Professor Ian Diamond, Chief Executive of the ESRC said, "This Centre forms an integral part of our strategic aims for this sector. It is a fundamental part of our ongoing commitment to provide cutting edge research that will impact directly on UK society. The research provided will be of significant value to those working in the sector and will provide a strategic base for future development within the sector." 

A spokesperson from The Barrow Cadbury Trust, said: "The Barrow Cadbury Trust is very pleased to be joint-funding the Third Sector Research Centre at Birmingham University. We look forward to the significant contribution that the new centre will make to third sector research. We are particularly excited about funding a stream of research within the centre, focusing on the role of the third sector in promoting engagement and participation among disadvantaged groups."

Supporting the work of the Third Sector Research Centre will be two capacity building clusters (CBCs), led by the University of Middlesex and Lincoln University, with the CBC in Middlesex focusing specifically on social enterprises. The CBCs will provide both the next generation of high quality researchers and be a resource for the sector. The clusters will provide activities such as studentships, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, Third Sector placements and an innovative voucher scheme designed to allow Third Sector organisations to "buy in" academic expertise. 

Stuart Etherington, Chief Executive of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations said: "NCVO has campaigned long and hard for investment in the third sector evidence base. The new Centre is integral to our vision of a sector supported by the best quality research. We will actively support the Third Sector Research Centre to ensure that it engages the sector, by informing and communicating with frontline organisations."

For further information, contact:

University of Birmingham

• Professor Pete Alcock (Tel: 0121 414 3171 - Email: P.C.ALCOCK@bham.ac.uk)  

Economic and Social Research Council 

• Kelly Barnett, Acting Head of Press and PR (Tel: 01793 413032 - Email: kelly.barnett@esrc.ac.uk)
• Danielle Moore, Communications Manager (Tel: 01793 413122 - Email: danielle.moore@esrc.ac.uk)  

Cabinet Office Contact

• Martin Mallon, Press Officer (Tel: 020 7276 1196 - Email: martin.mallon@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk)  

Office of the Third Sector Press Contact

• Nick Starkey, Analysis and Research (Tel: 020 7276 6012 - Email: nick.starkey@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk)  

Barrow Cadbury Trust Press Contact

• Paul Roberts, Policy Adviser (Tel: 020 7632 9069 - Email: p.roberts@barrowcadbury.org.uk)
• Alice Murray, Communications Officer (Tel: 0207 632 9073 - Email: a.murray@barrowcadbury.org.uk)  

Notes

1. The third sector is a diverse, active and passionate sector. Organisations in the sector share common characteristics:
   • non-governmental 
   • value-driven 
   • principally reinvest any financial surpluses to further social, environmental or cultural objectives.   
2. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest funding agency for research, data resources and postgraduate training relating to social and economic issues. It supports independent, high quality research which impacts on business, the public sector and the third sector. The ESRC's planned total expenditure in 2008/09 is £203 million. At any one time the ESRC supports over 4,000 researchers and postgraduate students in academic institutions and research policy institutes.
3. The TSRC is the second investment in the Government's ongoing commitment to research into the areas defined as 'Third Sector', the first being the Charitable Giving and Philanthropy Research Centre which launched on 1st October 2008 at Cass Business School.
4. In recognition of the increasingly important role the third sector plays in both society and the economy, the Prime Minister created the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) in May 2006 to drive forward the Government's role in supporting a thriving third sector, and join up sector-related work across government.
5. The Barrow Cadbury Trust is an independent, charitable foundation committed to funding and encouraging the promotion of social justice. Established in 1920, The Barrow Cadbury Trust aims to close the gaps in current policy and practice by supporting work in local communities and acting as a bridge to national and international policymakers.   
6. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) is the umbrella body for the voluntary sector in England, with sister councils in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NCVO has over 6,500 members, ranging from large national bodies to community groups, volunteer centres, and development agencies working at a local level. With over 280,000 staff and over 13 million volunteers working for our members, we represent and support almost half the voluntary sector workforce.