Supporting Third Sector Research Centre
Strengthening Civil Society:
Promoting Active Citizenship,
Equalities and Community Empowerment,
Taking Part? is the new ESRC research cluster for developing high quality research and a critical mass around active citizenship and community empowerment with the Third Sector. It is a partnership between researchers from The University of Lincoln, Goldsmiths University of London and Manchester Metropolitan University funded by the Economic & Social Research Centre (ESRC) in partnership with The Office for the Third Sector and the Barrow Cadbury Trust.
The Taking Part? research cluster is part of a larger national programme developing Third Sector research. The cluster is one of the national clusters linked with the new National Centre for Third Sector Research.
The Taking Part? research cluster is building upon the research expertise of the three universities and the track record of the national Take Part Network promoting its approach to bring together local, regional and national third sector organisations and higher education institutions, concerned with strengthening civil society: promoting active citizenship, equalities and community empowerment.
The Taking Part? research cluster is developing innovative approaches to community engagement and empowerment, issues of central importance to the Third Sector, as well as to the public and private sectors. Previous research within the partner agencies has focussed upon facilitating user and community audit and voice in service planning and service delivery, across statutory, private and Third Sector organisations. The cluster has a particular emphasis upon enabling the voices of the most disadvantaged groups to be heard effectively, as part of wider agendas for social change, social solidarity and social justice.
The Taking Part? research cluster underpins a portfolio of research and research-related activities over at least a 5 year period. The cluster will support postgraduate students through their PhD studies, will employ Knowledge Transfer Associates and will support staff placements and smaller-scale research activities. It will also promote publication and dissemination of research findings to a variety of audiences.
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