Review and work plan

TSRF Review 2022

The TSRF Review 2022 revealed that the forum is highly valued and well run. It was found that third sector research is essential to achieving change, but:

  • Third sector researchers felt isolated
  • Third sector researchers lack access to learning
  • Third sector research is under-valued

Key priorities identified by the review were about reaching a wider audience and building research capacity in the third sector. Proposals for the future included developing a community of practice for researchers, building capacity by supporting third sector researchers, and developing research expertise within the third sector.

TSRF Work Plan 2023

The forum produces annual work plans with an overview of activities and aims. The priorities and work plan for 2023 are as follows.

Develop the TSRF as a community of practice for third sector researchers

  • Widen the TSRF membership by building the community of practice from existing TSRF members AND newly recruited members
  • Create a dedicated space of social media (e.g. Slack) for members to discuss directly with one another
  • Establish and run a series of informal peer discussion for members and others who are interested in third sector research

Develop the TSRF role in building research capacity in the third sector

  • Establish opportunities for regular sharing and discussion of research practice issues using the social media group and regular peer discussions
  • Run a programme of peer learning events which draws on expertise from within the TSRF membership and beyond
  • Learn about the third sector research profession in Scotland and its capacity to achieve change
  • Create opportunities for learning about issues related to third sector research including research ethics, methods, dissemination, working with research participants and collaboration with other sectors

Promote third sector research

  • Communicate and disseminate third sector research and related data
  • Develop and enhance the TSRF webpages, newsletter and social media accounts
  • Share and develop resources related to all aspects of third sector research

TSRF Logic Model