The University of Birmingham will lead a new Third Sector Research Centre dedicated to analysing the impact of the sector's activities. Working in partnership with the University of Southampton and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Office of the Third Sector (OTS) and The Barrow Cadbury Trust, the centre is another example of the government's ongoing commitment to support the vital role of third sector organisations.
This world class centre will receive a total joint investment of £10.25 million over the next 5 years. 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.
Supporting the work of the Third Sector Research Centre will be two capacity building clusters (CBCs), led by the University of Middlesex and the University of Lincoln, 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.
Focusing key issues such as the sector's scale, dynamics and effectiveness, the Centre will be led by Professor Pete Alcock of the University of Birmingham. Professor Alcock commented: "This is an exciting 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. We are pleased to have been chosen to run the Centre and are looking forward commencing work in September."
Drs Astrid Wissenburg, Director of Communications, for the ESRC, said: "I am delighted with the announcement of the new Third Sector Research Centre. It will form a significant part of our ongoing commitment to provide cutting edge research that will directly impact on the future of society in the UK. The research provided by this Centre will provide a base for strategic development within the Sector."
Phil Hope, Minister of the Third Sector, added: "This is a very exciting development. This will be a Centre for the whole sector, with academics working alongside charities, social enterprises and small community associations to develop the evidence base on the sector and the impact it has on people's lives."
Barrow Cadbury Trust Chief Executive, Sukhvinder Kaur Stubbs, 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."
ESRC Press Contacts
Kelly Barnett, Acting Head of Press and PR Kelly.barnett@esrc.ac.uk 01793 413032
Danielle Moore, Communications Manager Danielle.moore@esrc.ac.uk 01793 413022
Cabinet Office Contact
Martin Mallon, Press Officer martin.mallon@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk 020 7276 1196
Office of the Third Sector Press Contacts
Nick Starkey, Analysis & Research nick.starkey@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk 020 7276 6012
Barrow Cadbury Trust Press Contacts
Paul Roberts, Policy Adviser, p.roberts@barrowcadbury.org.uk, 020 7632 9069
Alice Murray, Communications, Officer a.murray@barrowcadbury.org.uk , 0207 632 9073
Notes to Editors
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. Funding for the new Centre is provided by the Economic and Social Research Council (£5m), Office of the Third Sector (£5m) and The Barrow Cadbury Trust (£250k). University of Birmingham, Southampton, Kent, Ulster, Northumbria University, King's College London, London School of Economics & Pol Science, Middelsex University, London South Bank University, Durham university, Trinity College Dublin, University of London, Goldsmiths College, Manchester Metropolitan University, University of West of England, University of Teeside , University of Lincoln.
3. The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) is the UK's largest funding agency for research 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. More at http://www.esrcsocietytoday.ac.uk
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. More at http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/the_third_sector
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.