Evidence Into Action: Unlocking the Power of Civil Society Research. Main conference: 9–10 Sept. New Researchers pre-conference day: 8 Sept.

VSSN is about promoting understanding of the voluntary sector and voluntary action in the UK and around the world through research, and providing a voice and a meeting place for voluntary sector researchers and practitioners.

Evidence Into Action: Unlocking the Power of Civil Society Research.

2026 Voluntary Sector and Volunteering Research Conference

Main conference: 9–10 September 2026

New Researchers pre-conference day: 8 September 2026

Location: Watershed, Bristol, UK

Registration for the Conference (closes 25th August 2026, with early bird rate available until 18 July)

This Conference brings together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and funders to strengthen dialogue across sectors and support research that is both rigorous and relevant. Under the theme Evidence into Action, the conference will explore how research on, and with, the voluntary sector and volunteering can more meaningfully shape policy and practice; and how evidence can be translated into action. The programme will reflect the full breadth of research relating to volunteering, voluntary action, and civil society, including empirical, theoretical, methodological, and reflective work from across disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspectives.

We also welcome New Researchers to a dedicated day ahead of the main conference. This offers a supportive space to present work (including work-in-progress), receive constructive feedback, connect with other new researchers, meet some more established voluntary sector studies academics, engage in workshops of particular relevance to new researchers, and address any questions ahead of the main conference. If you wish to attend this day please be sure to add the additional ticket to your booking when checking out.

We also have our popular Conference Dinner returning this year, offering informal relaxed social and networking opportunities. If you are booking a two-day conference ticket this is INCLUDED in your booking (please do let us know if you are not able to attend). If you are booking a one-day ticket and would like to join us for the Conference Dinner, please ensure you add this ticket to your booking at checkout.

TICKETS:

VSSN continues to be committed keeping the conference ticket price at the same rate, however, due to external costs there is now an unavoidable booking fee INCLUDED in the ticket price advertised below. Discounts are available for early bird bookings until 18th July. As with past conferences, a VSSN, BVSC, Voscur / NCVO members rate is available and a concessionary member rate for VSSN, BVSC, Voscur /NCVO members from small organisations (<£500k income), students, new researchers, unwaged or retired.

The total price at check out, INCLUDING this booking-fee will be –

Two-day Member for members of Voluntary Sector Studies Network, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Birmingham Voluntary Service Council, or Voscur, including conference dinner. Early-bird price (until 18 July): £293.23 / Standard price (until bookings close 25 August): £369.06

Two-day Member Concessionary Rate for VSSN/NCVO/BVSC/Voscur members from small organisations (under £500k income), unwaged attendees, students, new researchers, and retired attendees. Includes conference dinner. Early-bird price: £152.38 / Standard price: £206.56. This ticket includes the opportunity to register interest in attending an additional optional New Researchers Day on 8th September.

Two-day Non-member Rate (including conference dinner). Early-bird price: £412.40 / Standard price: £455.74

One-day Member (for members of VSSN/NCVO/BVSC/Voscur ). Early-bird price: £163.22 / Standard price: £195.72

One-day Member Concessionary Rate for VSSN/NCVO/BVSC/Voscur members from small organisations (under £500k income), unwaged attendees, students, new researchers, and retired attendees. Early-bird price: £87.38 / Standard price: £119.89. This ticket includes the opportunity to register interest in attending an additional optional New Researchers Day on 8th September.

One-day Non-member Rate Early-bird price: £217.39 / Standard price: £249.90

Conference Dinner for one-day attendees wishing to join the conference dinner – please been sure to add this additional ticket to your booking at checkout to reserve your meal. £38.62 flat rate

If you would like to become a member before booking your ticket, please visit www.vssn.org.uk or email info@vssn.org.uk for further information. Membership starts from just £35!

PLEASE ENSURE YOU ANSWER THE BOOKING QUESTIONS AT CHECKOUT.

Our keynote speaker on Day 1 is Professor Helen Manchester (University of Bristol), with a full plenary panel discussion for Day 2 including Sado Jirde (BSWN) Beth Wilson (Wellspring Settlement), Professor Martin Parker (University of Bristol), Rebecca Mear (Voscur) and Marc Griffiths (UWE).

Keynote: Imagining Futures Othe

Description supplied by the event organiser.