IYV Global Evaluation

This is a report on the global evaluation of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV)

UK-wide evaluation of the Millennium Volunteers Programme

The Millennium Volunteers programme is a UK-wide government supported initiative designed to promote sustained volunteering among young people aged 16-24

Is Innocence Irrelevant to AEDPA\u27s Statute of Limitations - Avoiding a Miscarriage of Justice in Federal Habeas Corpus

The article discusses the debate on recognizing the innocence exception to the statute of limitations for original petitions for habeas corpus as provided in the Anti-terrorism and Effective Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA). Those who oppose cite the need for judicial economy and the absence of congressional intent. The author stresses the primordial concern of protecting the innocent and preventing miscarriage of justice as upheld by the history of habeas corpus and Supreme Court jurisprudence

Is Innocence Irrelevant to AEDPA\u27s Statute of Limitations - Avoiding a Miscarriage of Justice in Federal Habeas Corpus

The article discusses the debate on recognizing the innocence exception to the statute of limitations for original petitions for habeas corpus as provided in the Anti-terrorism and Effective Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA). Those who oppose cite the need for judicial economy and the absence of congressional intent. The author stresses the primordial concern of protecting the innocent and preventing miscarriage of justice as upheld by the history of habeas corpus and Supreme Court jurisprudence

Development of biocompatible parylene neurocages

We present a refined method and design for building parylene neurocages for in vitro studies of live neural networks. Parylene neurocages are biocompatible and very robust, making them ideally suited for studying the synaptic connections between individual neurons to gain insight into learning and memory. The neurocage fabrication process is significantly less complex than earlier versions. Previous neurocage designs achieved limited neuronal outgrowth; however, the long-term cell survival rate was 50%

Biocompatible parylene neurocages developing a robust method for live neural network studies

We present a refined method and design for fabricating parylene neurocages for in vitro studies of live neural networks. Parylene neurocages are biocompatible and very robust, making them ideally suited for studying the synaptic connections netween individual neurons to gain insight into learning and memory. The neurocage fabrication process is significantly less complex than earlier versions. Previous neurocage designs achieved limited neuronal outgrowth; however, the long-term cell survival rate was 50%

Teaching and learning in virtual worlds: is it worth the effort?

Educators have been quick to spot the enormous potential afforded by virtual worlds for situated and authentic learning, practising tasks with potentially serious consequences in the real world and for bringing geographically dispersed faculty and students together in the same space (Gee, 2007; Johnson and Levine, 2008). Though this potential has largely been realised, it generally isn’t without cost in terms of lack of institutional buy-in, steep learning curves for all participants, and lack of a sound theoretical framework to support learning activities (Campbell, 2009; Cheal, 2007; Kluge & Riley, 2008). This symposium will explore the affordances and issues associated with teaching and learning in virtual worlds, all the time considering the question: is it worth the effort

Third sector capacity building : the institutional embeddedness of supply

Previous articles in Voluntary Sector Review have documented the evolution of third sector capacity-building policy (Macmillan, 2011) and addressed the focus on ‘market-making’, characterised by a discursive shift since 2010 that favours demand-led over supply-led delivery models (Macmillan, 2013). This article builds on these articles by using data from the National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises (NSCSE) to investigate the characteristics of third sector organisations on the supply side of the capacity-building ‘market’. We argue that the ambitions of the demand-led model need to be understood in the context of the embeddedness of these organisations. This is based on findings that suggests that, immediately prior to the identified discursive shift, a significant proportion of third sector capacity-building providers were embedded in the supply-led model through relationships with and funding from the public sector locally and nationally. This, we suggest, could thwart the ambitions of the demand-led model

It’s time to talk: Voluntary action, the state and welfare provision

1. The 1940s and the 2010s were significant periods of transformation in the shape and direction of social welfare services across England. In both periods assumptions about the responsibilities of citizens, the state, voluntary action and the private sector became open to debate. 2. Both decades were also transformational times for the voluntary movement, involving coming to terms with new realities and rethinking its part in welfare provision. 3. Comprehensive discussion in the 1940s about the new role and responsibilities of the state in social welfare has not been matched in the 2010s. 4. In the 1940s the voluntary movement and the Labour government consolidated a pragmatic partnership that overcame initial suspicion on both sides, while the 2010s were marked by a more antagonistic relationship between government and the voluntary sector. 5. It’s time to talk. A national conversation, which tackles the issues and seeks to build consensus on our welfare future, is needed. 6. We invite you to be part of this new debate, by reflecting upon, sharing and acting on this research and its implications

Hold on to what you’ve got: the volunteer retention literature

This article, based on a review of the literature on volunteer retention, finds many areas of disagreement among researchers about the factors that cause people to remain as volunteers. The section on ‘personal factors and life events’ suggests that changes in personal circumstances may cause people to leave volunteering and that domestic stability may cause them to stay, but is unable to give a clear answer on the part played by people’s demographic profiles or by their personalities, attitudes and religious beliefs. In the same way, the section on ‘organisations and contexts’ suggests that poor management may cause volunteers to leave organisations and that management which is ‘explicit, developmental, supportive and appreciative’ may encourage them to stay, but is forced to point out that the evidence on the influence of the motivation, commitment and satisfaction of the individual volunteer on retention is as yet inconclusive. One of the main conclusions of the article is that any future research into volunteer retention will need to ‘analyse complex situations and multiple factors’