Partnering for Progress: GCVS and University Collaborations
At Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive meaningful change. One of the ways we do this is by building strong, innovative partnerships between Glasgow-based universities and the voluntary sector. These collaborations open up exciting opportunities for charities, social enterprises, and community groups across the city.
Unlocking Opportunities
Working with Glasgow’s universities offers access to a wide range of academic skills, fresh ideas, and new ways of thinking that can benefit the voluntary sector in practical and strategic ways. We act as a key connector – linking third sector organisations with academic institutions to create projects that have real impact.
Here are some of the types of partnership projects we help make possible:
Student Placements
Universities often have talented students looking for real-world experience. GCVS helps voluntary organisations benefit from this energy and insight by facilitating student placements. Whether it’s a short-term communications project or ongoing support for a campaign, these collaborations can bring much-needed capacity and creativity to your team.
Learn more: Support Your Mission With Student Help
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Connecting for Impact Events
The Connecting for Impact series, run in partnership with Strathclyde University, brought together university staff, students, researchers, and voluntary sector organisations to explore collaborative ideas. These events built new connections and supported organisations to get started, sparking innovative project ideas, and tackling shared challenges along the way.
Watch videos from the Series:
A short guide to Working with Universities from Jen Remnant at Strathclyde:
A summary of Research and Data Literacy from Strathclyde’s Dr Darren McGuire
Short-Term and Research Projects
Many academic departments are keen to work on focused projects or research that aligns with the priorities of Glasgow’s third sector. GCVS plays a matchmaking role – identifying the needs of community groups and helping academics find ways to respond through collaborative research or practical initiatives.
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PhD and Postgraduate Research
Through partnerships with institutions such as the University of Strathclyde and University of Glasgow, we support longer-term research efforts that explore issues affecting the sector, such as employment practices and fair work, community wellbeing, and service design.
Explore examples:
- Support your mission with student help
- PhD Research Collaboration
- University of Glasgow Marketing Students
Watch a short video from the University of Strathclyde to learn more about how charities and voluntary organisations can work with Universities on research opportunities.
Why does GCVS offer university collaborations?
We believe it’s our role to be the connector, enabler, and advocate for partnerships between universities and the voluntary sector. We:
- Build strong relationships with Glasgow’s higher education institutions.
- Identify relevant academic opportunities for third sector partners.
- Support charities and community groups through the process of accessing placements or research partnerships.
- Ensure that collaborations are grounded in the needs and priorities of the voluntary sector.
Proven Impact: Partnerships in Action
Recent projects between GCVS and the University of Strathclyde Business School demonstrate the value of these partnerships. Together, we’ve explored important issues such as:
- Fair Work in the Third Sector: A research project examining employment practices across voluntary organisations in Glasgow.
- The Knock-On Effect: A study highlighting the interconnected impact of economic pressures on the third sector and its workforce.
These collaborations have delivered valuable insights and strengthened advocacy efforts on behalf of the sector.
The Benefits of University Collaborations
Sallie Condy, Head of GCVS Sector Development, shares more in a short video:
Get Involved
Are you a voluntary sector organisation interested in working with a university? Or an academic seeking meaningful community engagement? Contact us to explore how we can support a partnership that drives change and benefits communities across Glasgow. Email the sector development team at sectordev@gcvs.org.uk.
To hear more about specific academic opportunities, you can also subscribe to our dedicated mailing list, and we will be in touch as updates become available.