The Third Sector Research Partnership (TSRP): towards more ‘just’ community-research collaborations

Creative, flexible and grounded in communities and lived experience, small Third Sector Organisations play a highly effective role in meeting the needs of our most disadvantaged citizens.  The impact of the Covid pandemic and cost of living crisis has significantly increased the centrality of their role.  Nevertheless, research shows that these organisations face resource and skills limitations that prevent them from engaging in research activity that evidences their impact, improves practice and influences policy.  The TSRP seeks to enable a vibrant Third Sector research culture by forming equal partnerships between Third Sector organisations and academics, and through the development and sharing of skills and knowledge in the use and co-production of research.  In our short presentation, we will share (1) how we are working to enable and support small, local, and community-based organisations to identify and meet their research and evidence aspirations and needs and (2) how we are hoping to engage the SPARK research community to mobilise existing evidence, share expertise and co-produce new knowledge and research with smaller community-based organisations.

Biography

Dave has 25 years of experience in Youth and Community Work in Cardiff and Cape Town. Currently based in Ely, West Cardiff, he has played a key role in developing and leading ACE (Action in Caerau and Ely) a nationally celebrated community development organisation that is transforming life in one of Wales’ most disadvantaged communities. He specialises in Asset Based Community Development and Co-production and is particularly interested in using these approaches to build the power of local people to challenge stigma and effect change. As Co-Chair of Citizens Cymru Wales for several years he was active with citizen-led organisations in using community organising to achieve social justice and political change. Dave has an MSc in Community Regeneration and likes to read!