You are receiving this as a member of Volunteering WA. Please share this communication with colleagues who may be interested in or responsible for research at your organisation.

With the help of a Research Committee, compirsing members from the WA universities and the Department of Communities, Volunteering WA encourages and supports research into volunteering related issues which informs good practice and evidence based decision-making.

Stay informed:

Our next research focused event will look at different ways that volunteer involving organisatons can undertake or commission research, and the factors to consider including funding options. If you are interested in research, or have recently or are currently undertaking research this may be of interest. 

To register for alerts about research including educational and networking events for researchers and volunteer managers please email jane@volunteeringwa.org.au

This ethnographic report aims to assess the ongoing impact of the Aboriginal Volunteer Program on the lives of returned volunteers, to determine if the returned volunteers continue in their role as active citizens on returning to their own communities and to assess the flow on effect of the volunteer experience in creating positive change for our world.

Read more here.

This study looks at changes in the employee volunteering landscape through surveying 181 charities from across the UK. It identifies discrepancies between needs of charities and employers and offers recommendations for working together successfully.

Read the summary and find the full report here.

The aim of this research was to analyse the potential for new technologies to support volunteer engagement in emergency response situations. Using an online survey to collect data it explored the motivation of potential users and incentives for participation.

Read a summary and link to the full paper here.

This research identifies how rural communities in WA are addressing the challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteers at a time of unprecedented demographic change and increasing pressure on the rural volunteer work force.

Click here for a summary of the findings and a link to the full report.

Through a series of case studies this report investigates how charities have been able to use research to better their practices and outcomes eg in setting up a charity, identifying need, improving staff training, designing new services, getting politicians to back your cause and informing policy. This report shows that evidence that is underpinned by robust and independent research can have a range of practical benefits.

 

Read more here.

 

This paper summarises key findings of a study into young people’s attitudes and experiences of formal volunteering in deprived areas of Scotland. From focus groups and interviews it identifies the barriers and motivations to volunteer with recommendations for promoting access to volunteer opportunities for young people in deprived areas.

Read summary and link to paper here.

The internet has opened up new ways to volunteer. This research examines whether online volunteering can overcome the patterns of inequality in participation in traditional offline volunteering or reinforces these inequalities. It finds that both are possible.                      

Read more here.

This study investigates migrant volunteering in New Zealand and provides insights into how migrants find information on volunteering, their motivations to volunteer, experiences, benefits and barriers to volunteering.

 

Read more here.

We would value your feedback on this selection of research. Please email your comments to jane@volunteeringwa.org.au