[cma-l] Birmingham University to lead new Third Sector Research Centre

[CMA-L]

Press release: ESRC

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."

Ends

ESRC Press Contacts

Kelly Barnett, Acting Head of Press and PR Kelly.barnett at esrc.ac.uk
  01793 413032

Danielle Moore, Communications Manager  Danielle.moore at esrc.ac.uk  01793 413022

Cabinet Office Contact

Martin Mallon, Press Officer
martin.mallon at cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk   020 7276 1196

Office of the Third Sector Press Contacts

Nick Starkey, Analysis & Research
nick.starkey at cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk 020 7276 6012

Barrow Cadbury Trust Press Contacts

Paul Roberts, Policy Adviser, p.roberts at barrowcadbury.org.uk, 020 7632 9069

Alice Murray, Communications, Officera.murray at 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.