Dr Christopher Damm
Research Fellow
Summary
I am a research fellow at the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. Our centre conducts research for a range of external clients, such as charities, local authorities or government departments. Often this research involves an evaluation of a service or programme to assess its operation and impact.
About
Research work
My academic interests primarily concern the role of the Voluntary Sector in the provision of welfare services in the UK. This includes the impact of state funding on charities, their role within the employment services field, and theory relating to their role as service providers. I have particular expertise in the use of charity data across a number of projects. Much of my work involves quantitative data and I have advanced skills in data management, analysis and visualisation. As part of a recent fellowship funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund, for example, I produced a number of online tools for exploring and accessing charity data more easily:
https://cwdamm.shinyapps.io/charity_explorer_app/
https://cwdamm.shinyapps.io/shiny_app_-_field_identification/
Administration
I am currently a trustee and member of the steering group for the Voluntary Sector Studies Network. In particular, I have responsibility for the development of the VSSN website: https://www.vssn.org.uk/
Supervision
I currently supervise an ESRC White Rose funded PhD on the impact of austerity on the voluntary sector, especially women’s organisations. I would be interested in supervising further PhDs relating to my research interests as outlined above.
Research interests
- The third sector, its funding and role in public service delivery
- Charity data and data infrastructure
- Social investment
- Employment services
- Quantitative methods (modelling, mapping, data visualisation, programming in R, web-scraping, surveys)
Research
- Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research
2022-2023 Mapping Funding into the UK Women and Girls’ voluntary sector, ROSA. Role: Project Director.
2019-2021 Evaluation of Leeds Neighbourhood Networks, Centre for Ageing Better.
2019-2022 Evaluation and Learning Contact for Power to Change’s Market Development Programme, Power to Change.
2020-2021 Power to change - volunteering in community businesses, Power to Change.
2018-2024 Evaluation of the Community Investment Fund, Big Society Capital.
2013-2022 Evaluation of the Rotherham Social Prescribing Pilot, Voluntary Action Rotherham.
2020-2021 Classifying the Charity Register, Esmée Fairburn Foundation.
Publications
Journal articles
Damm, C., & Kane, D. (2022). Classifying UK charities’ activities by charitable cause: a new classification system. Voluntary Sector Review, 1-27. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080521x16669452177473
Chapman, M., Gilbertson, J., Bradley, J., Damm, C., Farnsworth, V., Ferguson, A., ... Wolstenholme, D. (2022). Being warm being happy: understanding factors influencing adults with learning disabilities being warm and well at home with inclusive research. People, Place and Policy Online. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2022.2942847959
Rees, J., Taylor, R., & Damm, C. (2022). Opening the ‘black box’: Organisational Adaptation and Resistance to institutional isomorphism in a prime-led employment services programme. Public Policy and Administration. http://doi.org/10.1177/09520767221118490
Dayson, C., Bennett, E., Damm, C., Rees, J., Jacklin-Jarvis, C., Patmore, B., ... Turner, K. (2022). The distinctiveness of smaller voluntary organisations providing welfare services. Journal of Social Policy. http://doi.org/10.1017/S0047279421000970
Dayson, C., & Damm, C. (2020). Re-making state-civil society relationships during the COVID 19 pandemic? An English perspective. People, Place and Policy Online, 14 (3), 282-289. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2020.5796569834
Damm, C. (2019). The relationship between state funding and volunteer levels in voluntary sector organisations: a quantitative analysis of regulatory data. Voluntary Sector Review. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080519X15740562469345
Damm, C., & Dayson, C. (2019). ‘You were the future once’ – third sector prospects in the 2019 election manifestos. People, Place and Policy Online, 13 (2), 82-85. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2019.8996759724
Bennett, E., Coule, T., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Dean, J., & Macmillan, R. (2019). Civil society strategy: A policy review. Voluntary sector review, 10 (2), 213-223. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080519X15617330887624
Damm, C. (2019). Hungry Britain: The rise of food charity by Hannah Lambie-Mumford. Policy Press, 2017. Voluntary sector review, 10 (1), 97-99. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080519x15510138260856
Taylor, R., Rees, J., & Damm, C. (2016). UK employment services: understanding provider strategies in a dynamic strategic action field. Policy and Politics, 44 (2), 253-267. http://doi.org/10.1332/030557314X14079275800414
Damm, C. (2014). A mid-term review of third sector involvement in the Work Programme. Voluntary Sector Review, 5 (1), 97-116. http://doi.org/10.1332/204080514X13921367480976
Book chapters
Woodward, A., Patmore, B., Cliff, G., & Dayson, C. (2022). The value and contribution of BAME-led organisations during and Beyond COVID-19. In Rees, J., Macmillan, R., Dayson, C., Damm, C., & Bynner, C. (Eds.) COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK: Responses, Impacts and Adaptation. Policy Press: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/covid-19-and-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-the-uk
Dayson, C., Bimpson, E., Ellis Paine, A., Gilbertson, J., & Kara, H. (2022). Voluntary Sector Organisations, Older People and Healthy Ageing During the COVID-19 Pandemic. In Rees, J., Macmillan, R., Dayson, C., Damm, C., & Bynner, C. (Eds.) COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK: Responses, Impacts and Adaptation. Policy Press: https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/covid-19-and-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-the-uk
Rees, J., Macmillan, R., Dayson, C., Damm, C., & Bynner, C. (2022). Introduction. In COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK: Responses, Impacts and Adaptation. Policy Press
Rees, J., Macmillan, R., Dayson, C., Damm, C., & Bynner, C. (2022). Introduction. In COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK: Responses, Impacts and Adaptation. (pp. 1-14).
Taylor, R., Damm, C., & Rees, J. (2016). Navigating a new landscape : the third sector delivering contracted employment services. In Rees, J., & Mullins, D. (Eds.) The Third Sector Delivering Public Services: Developments, Innovations and Challenges. (pp. 169-188). Birmingham: Policy Press
Books
Rees, J., Macmillan, R., Dayson, C., Damm, C., & Bynner, C. (Eds.). (2022). COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK Responses, Impacts and Adaptation. Policy Press. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/covid-19-and-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-the-uk
Rees, J., Macmillan, R., Dayson, C., Damm, C., & Bynner, C. (Eds.). (2022). COVID-19 and the Voluntary and Community Sector in the UK Responses, Impacts and Adaptation. Policy Press. https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/covid-19-and-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-in-the-uk
Reports
Damm, C., Dowrick, L., & Harris, C. (2023). Mapping the UK Women and girls sector and its funding: where does the money go? ROSA. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/mapping-the-uk-women-and-girls-sector-and-its-funding
Damm, C., Dowrick, L., & Harris, C. (2023). Mapping the UK women and girls sector and its funding. ROSA. https://rosauk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Women-and-Girls-Sector-Research-Mapping-Report-Final.pdf
Dayson, C., Damm, C., Gilbertson, J., & Leather, D. (2023). Towards an understanding of their contribution to health and care costs and resources. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/towards-an-understanding-of-their-contribution-to-health
Dayson, C., & Damm, C. (2022). Evaluation of the community investment enterprise facility: interim report (2019-2021). Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-community-investment-enterprise-facility-interim-report
Dayson, C., & Damm, C. (2021). Evaluation of the community investment enterprise facility: second annual report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-community-investment-enterprise-facility-second-annual-report
Dayson, C., Damm, C., & Leather, D. (2021). Evaluation of the community investment enterprise facility deep dive: CDFIs’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-community-investment-enterprise-facility-deep-dive-cdfis-response-to-the-covid-19
Damm, C., & Kane, D. (2021). Charity field classification: main project report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/charity-field-classification-main-project-report
Ellis Paine, A., Damm, C., Dean, J., Harris, C., & Macmillan, R. (2021). Volunteering in community business: meaning, practice and management. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/volunteering-in-community-business-meaning-practice-and-management
Dayson, C., & Damm, C. (2020). Evaluation of the Rotherham Social Prescribing Service for Long Term Conditions. Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-rotherham-social-prescribing-service-for-long-term-conditions
Damm, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). Talent Match Evaluation: Understanding the impact and value of Talent Match. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.2031246178
Damm, C., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). Talent Match Evaluation: Technical Appendix Report. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.7420650207
Damm, C., Green, A., & Wells, P. (2020). Talent Match Evaluation: Comparative Report. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.813564058
Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., Wells, P., & Wilson, I. (2020). Talent Match Evaluation: A Final Assessment. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.1739253459
Dayson, C., & Damm, C. (2020). Evaluation of the Community Investment Enterprise Facility: First Annual Report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-community-investment-enterprise-facility-first-annual-report
Bradley, J., Chapman, M., Damm, C., Farnsworth, V., Ferguson, A., Gilbertson, J., ... Wolstenholme, D. (2019). Being Warm – Being Happy (BWBH) : understanding disability, fuel poverty and energy vulnerability for adults with a learning disability : final report. EAGA Charitable Trust. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/being-warm-being-happy-bwbh
Crisp, R., Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2018). Talent Match Evaluation: Progression to Employment. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2018.3322694645
Damm, C., Green, A., Pearson, S., Sanderson, E., & Wells, P. (2018). Talent Match Evaluation: Youth Employment Partnerships. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2018.3356697744
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). Involving young people: Lessons from the Talent Match programme evaluation. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/involving-young-people-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). Youth Employment Partnerships: Lessons from the Talent Match programme evaluation. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/youth-employment-partnerships-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Wells, P., Pearson, S., Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2018). Progression to Employment: Lessons from the Talent Match programme evaluation. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/progression-to-employment-lessons-from-the-talent-match-programme-evaluation
Dayson, C., Baker, L., Rees, J., Batty, E., Bennett, E., Damm, C., ... Terry, V. (2018). The value of small: in-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in England and Wales. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-value-of-small-in-depth-research-into-the-distinctive-contribution-value-and-experiences
Dayson, C., Baker, L., Rees, J., Batty, E., Bennett, E., Damm, C., ... Terry, V. (2018). The value of small: in-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in England and Wales : Summary. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-value-of-small-in-depth-research-into-the-distinctive-contribution--summary
Damm, C., Prinos, I., & Sanderson, E. (2017). Bolton state of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector 2017 : A report on social and economic impact. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2017.2843928293
Damm, C., Prinos, I., & Sanderson, E. (2017). Greater Manchester state of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector 2017 : A report on social and economic impact. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2017.8245386329
Damm, C., Prinos, I., & Sanderson, E. (2017). City of Manchester state of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector 2017 : A report on the social and economic impact. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2017.8679557866
Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2017). Rochdale state of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector 2017 : A report on social and economic impact. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2017.5635442389
Damm, C., Prinos, I., & Sanderson, E. (2017). Salford state of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector 2017. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2017.6344484429
Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2017). Stockport state of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector 2017 : A report on social and economic impact. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2017.6569444937
Damm, C., Prinos, I., & Sanderson, E. (2017). Tameside state of the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector 2017 : A report on social and economic impact. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2017.6488868973
Dayson, C., & Damm, C. (2017). The Rotherham Social Prescribing Service for People with Long-term Conditions: Evaluation Update. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-rotherham-social-prescribing-service-for-people-with-long-term-conditions-evaluation-update
Green, A., Barnes, S.-.A., Gore, A., & Damm, C. (2017). In-work support: What is the role of in-work support in a successful transition to sustained employment? Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/in-work-support-what-is-the-role-of-in-work-support-in-a-successful-transition-to-sustained
Damm, C., Dayson, C., Gilbertson, J., & Pearson, S. (2016). Stockport Targeted Prevention Programme Evaluation: Final Report. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/stockport-targeted-prevention-alliance
Damm, C., & Sanderson, E. (2016). Sheffield State of the Voluntary and Community Sector 2016. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research; Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/sheffield-state-of-the-voluntary-and-community-sector-2016
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). EANF Learning Report 1: Evidence and Data. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/eanf-learning-report-1-evidence-and-data
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: learning and evaluation - year one programme report. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-and-evaluation---year-one-programme-report
Bennett, E., Damm, C., Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Wells, P. (2016). EANF learning report 2: building alliances. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/eanf-learning-report-2-building-alliances
Ambrose, A., Damm, C., Foden, M., Gilbertson, J., & Pinder, J. (2016). Delivering Affordability Assistance to water customers: cross sector lessons. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/delivering-affordability-assistance-to-water-customers-cross-sector-lessons
Damm, C., Green, A., & Wells, P. (n.d.). Talent Match Evaluation: Comparative Report. Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.8135640588