Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · 20h

🎥 Watch the Day 2 #VSVR2025 plenary:
"Staying true while gaining traction: Civil society’s contribution to system change from the edge and the centre"

With Vita Terry, Navinder Kaur, Ken Kanu, Dawn Plimmer and John Everson.

📺 Recording here: echo360.org.uk/media/6082e3...

1 2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · 1d

Missed the opening plenary at #VSVR2025?

Watch: "Working together: Implications of an ecosystemic approach for the third sector" with Prof Stephen Osborne, Arvinda Gohil (Better Way Network), Fiona Longhurst (RVS), Mike Adamson (St Mungo’s).

Recording now available: echo360.org.uk/media/88207f...

VSVR Conference 2025 Day 1

echo360.org.uk

1 1

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · 12d

🗓️ One week to go until our next New Researchers Online Session!

📚 Join us on Fri 3 Oct, 12:00–13:00 BST for a conversation with VSR editors Lindsay Findlay-King & Oto Potluka on publishing in VSR.

We’ll also reflect on #VSVR2025 and leave time for networking.

🔗 Sign up: tinyurl.com/newresonline

1 1

Reposted by Voluntary Sector Studies Network

Bristol University Press @brisunipress.bsky.social · 17d

Are you a social sciences researcher with something to say?

We’re inviting contributions to the Transforming Society blog. Share your insights, start conversations, and amplify your voice. #AcademicVoices #WriteForUs

🖋️

Write for us - Transforming Society

One of the key aims of Transforming Society is to make academic research findings available and useful to the interested general reader, in the hope that this will help make steps towards positive…

buff.ly

2 2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · 26d

🧑‍💻 Calling all voluntary sector new researchers!

Join us on Fri 3 Oct, 12:00–13:00 BST for our next online session.

Lindsay Findlay-King & Oto Potluka, editors of Voluntary Sector Review, will talk all things publishing 📚

We’ll also reflect on #VSVR2025.

🔗 Sign up: tinyurl.com/newresonline

1 1

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · 27d

📝 VSSN member Jenny Raschbauer is researching learning and development in social sector organisations and needs your help!

If you work or volunteer in a charity, CIC or VCSE organisation, share your experience in a short survey.

📲 Scan the QR code in the image to take part (10 mins max)!

1 2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 4

A huge thank you to all who joined us: presenters, participants, chairs, discussants, organisers, and supporters.

Until next time! 💬🤝

2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 4

That’s a wrap on #VSVR2025!

We’re grateful to our conference partners: the Centre for Charity Effectiveness at @bayesbschool.bsky.social, @ncvo.bsky.social and @volactionislington.bsky.social for making it all possible.

1 3

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 4

We’re closing out #VSVR2025 with our final session, a practical workshop on building cross-sector research collaborations to create change together, led by Ellen Bennett, James Rees, and Carol Jacklin-Jarvis.

A fitting end to two days of learning and collaboration here at @bayesbschool.bsky.social

3

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 4

🎙️ A busy afternoon of parallel sessions is underway at #VSVR2025!

From devolution and place-based work to digital inclusion, advocacy, and third sector-university partnerships.

Great to see such thoughtful research and practice being shared across rooms here at @bayesbschool.bsky.social

2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 4

Contributions to the plenary from:
🔹 Navinder Kaur (Islington Voluntary Action)
🔹 Ken Kanu (Help on Your Doorstep)
🔹 Dawn Plimmer (Collaborate CIC)
🔹 John Everson (London Borough of Islington)
🔹 Ollie Hilbery (Making Every Adult Matter)

2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 4

🌅 Good morning from Day 2 of #VSVR2025 at @bayesbschool.bsky.social !

We’re kicking off with a powerful plenary:
“Staying true while gaining traction: Civil society’s contribution to system change from the edge and the centre”

🎤 Chaired by Vita Terry (VSSN).

Let’s dive in!

1 4

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 3

🏆 Congratulations to Toby Blume, Peter John, Dyana Mason @dyanamason.bsky.social, and Marios Petropoulos - winners of this year’s Voluntary Sector Review Best Article Prize!

📖 Read the award-winning article here: doi.org/10.1332/2040...

@bupjournals.bsky.social

3 5

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 3

That’s (almost) a wrap on Day 1 of #VSVR2025 at @bayesbschool.bsky.social!

It’s been a full day of keynotes, panels, and discussions across themes of collaboration, resilience and research impact.

Still to come: the Best Paper Prizes 🏆!

@ncvo.bsky.social @volactionislington.bsky.social

1 2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 3

A packed afternoon at #VSVR2025 here at @bayesbschool.bsky.social

From funding and infrastructure to AI, data, collaboration, and participatory approaches, today’s sessions sparked discussion and insight across the sector.

Plenty to take away as we round off Day 1 and more to come tomorrow!

2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 3

We are heading into the first parallel sessions here at #VSVR2025 @bayesbschool.bsky.social ☕📚

Themes include equity and inclusion, volunteer experience, charity leadership, and research-practice collaboration. Plenty of insight ahead!

@ncvo.bsky.social @volactionislington.bsky.social

4

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 3

Kicking off #VSVR2025 with opening plenary:

📣 Prof Stephen Osborne set the scene with reflections on systems thinking in public services and civil society.

A response panel following:

🔹 Arvinda Gohil (Better Way Network)
🔹 Fiona Longhurst (Royal Voluntary Service)
🔹 Mike Adamson (St Mungo’s)

1 2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 3

‪Thanks so much, Liz! We're delighted to have you back at #VSVR2025 and pleased you're enjoying the focus on creating change together.

1

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 3

We’re underway at #VSVR2025!

Angela Ellis Paine (Bayes CCE) and Vita Terry (VSSN Co-Chair) opened the conference this morning with a warm welcome and reflections on the theme Creating Change Together.

Great to see the room filling with energy for the two days ahead!

📍 @bayesbschool.bsky.social

2 3

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 3

☕ Not long now until the main conference begins!

Day 1 of #VSVR2025 kicks off today at @bayesbschool.bsky.social. We’ll be exploring the theme Creating Change Together with a packed programme of keynotes, parallel sessions, and panel discussions.

Watch this space for updates throughout the day!

1 3

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 2

That’s a wrap on New Researchers Day #VSVR2025

A full day of discussions from enhancing engagement at conferences to sharing research across volunteering, democracy, and community change.

Thanks to all who joined us today!
@bayesbschool.bsky.social @ncvo.bsky.social @volactionislington.bsky.social

1 2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 2

In Session 3 of New Researchers Day at #VSVR2025, we explored how change happens in practice:

🤝 Harriet Plows on advice orgs & care networks
🔍 Victoria Nunn @viva-victoria.bsky.social on researching the sector from within
🌐 Peter Horner on local infrastructure’s convening role

3

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 2

During Session 2 at #VSVR2025 New Researchers Day, we heard:

🗳️ Clara Kansiime on accountability & NGO impact in Uganda
🤝 Clare Harewood on trust in participatory research
🩺 Sophie Cole @sophiecole.bsky.social on health inequalities & voluntary sector support

@bayesbschool.bsky.social

2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 2

Before lunch at #VSVR2025 New Researchers Day, we heard:

🗳️ Sue Ansarie @sueansarie.bsky.social on Big Local volunteers
🔍 Thérèse Gaqua on associations & social action
🤝 Linda Cole @lindarcole.bsky.social on co-producing research with disabled volunteers

@bayesbschool.bsky.social

1 2

Voluntary Sector Studies Network @vssn1.bsky.social · Sep 2

Next up at #VSVR2025 New Researchers Day:

📣 Workshop on Enhancing communication and engagement at academic conferences: asking good questions!

Facilitated by Rob Macmillan and Amy Sanders, helping us get the most out of presenting, participating and connecting.

@bayesbschool.bsky.social

2