TSRC's research helps to inform policy development, whilst making the policy process itself the subject of critical review.
Theoretical analysis of the sector is not well developed in the UK, in part because of the applied focus of much existing research. TSRC contributes to ensuring that difficult theoretical issues are articulated and explored. This strong theoretical and conceptual analysis of the sector and policy helps to inform all of the Centre's research.
Critical understanding of the policy environment is essential, for it determines much of what happens within the sector. We need to know ‘what works’, but we also need to understand who decides ‘what matters’.
Key questions
- What is the third sector?
- How is third sector policy changing?
- Who are the key policy actors?
- How do policy-makers decide what matters?
- How should practice respond to policy change?
Current work
Our current theory and policy work includes the following topics:
- Analysis of the devolved policy environment for the third sector in the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
- Analysis of the impact of the Labour government programmes to ‘modernise’ policy and practice
- Analysis of the new Coalition governments policy programmes for the Big Society in England
- Monitoring and analysis of the response of the sector to the economic recession
- Monitoring and analysis of the presentation of the sector in the 2010 General Election
- Analysis of the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) as a policy actor within the sector
Research contacts
Pete Alcock – Director and research lead
Rebecca Taylor
Jeremy Kendall