TSRF has developed a number of resources on research collaboration:
TSRF resources on research collaboration
Be brave, ask, and keep trying – a guide to what to consider when looking for funding for third sector collaborative research
This guide is for third sector organisations (TSO) that want to obtain funding for collaborative research with academia.
Top tips to use research from other UK jurisdictions or countries (infographic)
This infographic was produced by the Scottish Third Sector Research Forum (TSRF) to help third sector organisations use research produced by/in other UK jurisdictions.
TSRF ‘Collaborating for impact’ conference report
Conference report from TSRF Collaborating for impact which took place in October 2019.
Evidencing genuine co-production in the third sector (2017)
Evidence paper distiling what third sector research and evidence tell us about what genuine co-production looks like in the third sector
Evidence from Elsewhere: Gathering, analysing and using other people’s evidence (2017)
A guide to using secondary evidence from third sector and other sources.
Evidence from Elsewhere: Gathering, analysing and using other people’s evidence (2017) – Infographic
Written by the Knowledge Translation Network ‘Evidence from Elsewhere: Gathering, analysing and using other people’s evidence’ guides anyone in the third sector who wants to use secondary evidence to inform,
Evidence for Success: Collaborating with academics (2016) – Infographic
This guide is for anyone in the third sector who wants to link to academics to generate and/or use evidence to improve policy and practice. It provides practical guidance and
Evidence for Success: Collaborating with academics (2016)
This guide is for anyone in the third sector who wants to link to academics to generate and/or use evidence to improve policy and practice
Third Sector Partnership Compass (2016)
This evidence paper by Evaluation Support Scotland and The Robertson Trust with the Scottish Third Sector Research Forum brings together evidence of what research tells us engaging in positive partnership

Blog
Blog: Understanding our different worlds for better third sector and academia collaborations
In this blog, Jane Marryat, Research and Communications Officer at ESS, shares her thoughts from ‘Let’s collaborate for impact’ As I was standing at the bus stop following the third
Other useful resources about third sector collaboration
Binks Hub and Citadel Youth Centre collaborate on youth-led research, intergenerational work, connecting academia with communities and how to involve youth people in research. Read more here.
The Scottish Third Sector Research Forum‘s case study report “Bringing the Third Sector and academic research together” is a collection of case studies that show practical solutions collaboration challenges.
Carnegie UK Trust‘s report on “How Can Academics And The Third Sector Work Together To Influence Policy And Practice” argues that to make an impact on social policy universities must work more closely with civil society.
Voluntary Health Scotland published “Broader Reach and Stronger Voice: Reflecting on the inclusivity of the COVID-19 vaccine programme and collaboration with the third sector” after conducting a qualitative study with both their member organisations and a wider network.
Collaborate for success with Edinburgh Innovations as part of the University of Edinburgh.
Find out more about quantitative social science skills with Edinburgh Q-Step Centre and Glasgow Q-Step Centre.
Host an intern with the The Scottish Graduate School of Social Science.
Scottish Enterprise may have some Research and development (R&D) grants available.
The University of Glasgow’s Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities may have Applied Research Collaborative Studentships available.
Take a look at student placements with The Data Lab.
Social Enterprise Scotland have recorded this webinar on Universities and Social Enterprise Development.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

For academics: why collaborate with third sector?
Collaborating with third sector partners may be significant to evidencing your impact for the Research Excellence Framework (REF)

Find an academic for your third sector research
Information for third sector organisations (TSOs) who are seeking to undertake research and looking for a starting point to make contact with an academic researcher.
Interface
Interface is an organsation that links third sector organisations to academia. As examples see these case studies on Interface’s website: Timespan Museum & Art Centre; Equal Adventure, and Albyn Housing Society.
Interface provide an innovation voucher scheme. For more information and how to apply.