Overview
It is essential that the Centre’s research is informed by a strong theoretical and conceptual analysis of the sector and the policy environment within which it is situated.
Theoretical analysis of the sector is not well developed in the UK, in part because of the applied focus of much existing research. TSRC will contribute to ensuring that difficult theoretical issues are articulated and explored.
Critical understanding of the policy environment is also essential, for it determines much of what happens within the sector. TSRC is co-funded by the Office of the Third Sector which is responsible for developing and delivering policy in England. The Centre’s research will help inform this policy development, but will also make that policy process itself the subject of critical review. We need to know ‘what works’, but we also need to understand who decides ‘what matters’.
Key questions
- What is the third sector?
- How do policy-makers decide what matters?
- What is the impact of the recession on the policy process?
Current work
Our current theory and policy work revolves around three key elements:
- Analysis of the policy environment for the third sector in the UK
- Comparative analysis of the third sector in different policy regimes
- Analysis of the impact of recent developments in UK third sector policy
- Monitoring and analysis of the impact of the recession on the policy environment in England
Next steps
Documentary analysis is underway on the policy environment and the recession in the UK. A panel of respondents is being established for ongoing policy monitoring and analysis, to be used for qualitative interviews, focus groups and Delphi consultation. Initial data gathering will focus on the impact of the recession.
Research contacts