Ellen Bennett BA (Hons), MA, PhD
Research Fellow
Summary
Ellen is a Research Fellow at the Centre for Regional, Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University, with research expertise in the voluntary sector, public services and state-voluntary sector relationships. She has extensive experience in a range of qualitative research techniques, such as in-depth interviewing, focus groups, and discursive documentary analysis. Ellen has particular expertise in researching organisations within the voluntary sector.
About
Ellen has worked in CRESR since the completion of her PhD in 2015, having previously worked in the Voluntary Sector. Her PhD explored state-voluntary sector relationships, using in-depth interviews and discursive analysis of national policy across four decades. Since joining CRESR, she has worked on studies for Lloyds Bank Foundation, South Yorkshire Housing Association, the Heritage Lottery and Rotherham CVS. She is currently working on a range of projects, including an evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund, a five-year project funded by a coalition of funders including the Big Lottery, Esmee Fairbairn Trust and Comic Relief, investing in early action partnerships in three locations across England.
Ellen is a member of the Voluntary Sector Studies Network, a national network of researchers with an interest in the voluntary sector. She is also a member of University-wide interdisciplinary Centre for Voluntary Sector Research (CVSR). Ellen is co-editor of People, Place and Policy journal and Assistant Research-to-Practice Editor for Non-profit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly.
Research interests
- Voluntary organisations
- Voluntary sector policy
- Public services and public service reform
- State-voluntary sector relations
- Voluntary organisations and identity
- Systems change
- Qualitative data collection and analysis
- In-depth interviewing, both face-to-face and telephone
- Focus groups
- Discursive documentary analysis.
Research
- Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research
- Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research
2016-2017 Value of Small: Evidencing the distinctive contribution of small and medium-sized charities, Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. Role: Project Manager.
2016-2018 Tesco Bags of Help, Groundwork. Role: Researcher.
2015-2020 Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund, Big Lottery. Role: Researcher.
2015-2018 Evaluation of Ageing Better, Over to You and Eat Well, South Yorkshire Housing Association. Role: Researcher.
2014-2019 Evaluation of Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War Centenary activities, Heritage Lottery Fund. Role: member of research team.
2015-2016 Evaluation of the Social Prescribing Service, Voluntary Action Rotherham. Role: Researcher.
2015-2016 Warm at Home evaluation, Foundations for Independent Living Trust. Role: Researcher.
2015 Evaluation of supporting and maintaining independence programme, Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council. Role: Researcher.
2015 Recession and Resilience in Northern Ireland, Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. Role: Researcher.
2014 The State of the Former Coalfields, Coalfields Regeneration Trust. Role: member of research team.
2013-2015 Holocaust Memorial Day Impact Study, Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Role: member of research team.
Publications
Journal articles
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., Painter, J., & Bennett, E. (2020). Social prescribing for patients of secondary mental health services: emotional, psychological and social wellbeing outcomes. Journal of Public Mental Health: the art, science and politics of creating a mentally healthy society. https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JPMH-10-2019-0088/full/html
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
Dickinson, J., Bennett, E., & Marson, J. (2019). Challenges facing green space: is statute the answer? Journal of place management and development, 12 (1), 121-138. http://doi.org/10.1108/JPMD-09-2017-0091
Bennett, E., Eadson, W., & Dickinson, J. (2018). PPP Special Issue Editorial: Part I. People, Place and Policy Online, 12 (2), 56-57. http://doi.org/10.3351/ppp.2018.5463926534
Coule, T., & Bennett, E. (2018). State-voluntary relations in contemporary welfare systems: New politics or voluntary action as usual? Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 47 (4), 139s-158s. http://doi.org/10.1177/0899764018755507
Coule, T.M., & Bennett, E. (2016). Rhetoric, organizational category dynamics and institutional change : a study of the UK Welfare State. Public Administration, 94 (4), 1059-1076. http://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12274
Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Rees, J., Patmore, B., & Damm, C. (n.d.). The role of smaller nonprofit human service organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from England and Wales. Human service organizations, management, leadership & governance.
Book chapters
Bennett, E. (2022). Peer research. In Researching Voluntary Action. (pp. 46-58). Policy Press: http://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctv2bz2mvt.11
Reports
Dayson, C., Harris, C., Bashir, N., Bennett, E., & Woodward, A. (2022). Evaluation of Age Better in Sheffield the impact on social isolation and loneliness (2015-21). Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-age-better-in-sheffield-the-impact-on-social-isolation-and-loneliness-2015-21
Dayson, C., Baker, L., Rees, J., Bennett, E., Patmore, B., Turner, K., ... Terry, V. (2021). The ‘Value of Small’ in a Big Crisis: The distinctive contribution, value and experiences of smaller charities in England and Wales during the COVID 19 pandemic - Summary report. Lloyds Bank Foundation: England and Wales. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/the-value-of-small-in-a-big-crisis-summary
Dayson, C., Baker, L., Rees, J., Bennett, E., Patmore, B., Turner, K., ... Terry, V. (2021). The ‘Value of Small’ in a Big Crisis: The distinctive contribution, value and experiences of smaller charities in England and Wales during 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/the-value-of-small-in-a-big-crisis
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Bennett, E. (2020). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Summary - Evaluating Complex Systems Change Projects. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-summary-evaluating-complex-systems
Bennett, E., Dayson, C., & Pearson, S. (2020). Early action neighbourhood fund evaluation report. 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-evaluation-report
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Bennett, E. (2020). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Summary - Evaluating Complex Systems Change Projects. h126:%20Early%20Action%20Neighbourhood%20Fund%20Evaluation%20and%20Learning%20Contract
Pearson, S., Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2020). Early action neighbourhood fund evaluation learning summary: the EANF journey. 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-evaluation-learning-summary-the-eanf-journey
Batty, E., Bennett, E., Devany, C., Harris, C., Pearson, S., & Woodward, A. (2020). Friends and purpose: evaluation of camerados public living rooms. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. http://doi.org/10.7190/cresr.2020.3886334757
Pearson, S., Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2020). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Summary - Funders Briefing. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-summary-funders-briefing
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Bennett, E. (2019). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Summary 1 - Data, Evidence and Impact. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-summary-1---data-evidence-and-impact
Dayson, C., Bennett, E., & Bashir, N. (2019). Evaluation of Age Better in Sheffield: co-production learning report 1 - understanding the approach to co-production. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-age-better-in-sheffield---co-production-learning-report-1
Coule, T., Patmore, B., & Bennett, E. (2018). The value of small: In-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in Salford. 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-salford
Bennett, E., & Batty, E. (2018). The value of small: In-depth research into the distinctive contribution, value and experiences of small and medium-sized charities in Wrexham. 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-wrexham
Babu, M., Bashir, N., Bennett, E., Darwin, M., Porter, J., Wood, S., ... Needham, R. (2018). Evaluation of Age Better in Sheffield - Third annual report: Peer Research. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-age-better-in-sheffield----third-annual-report-peer-research
Dayson, C., Pearson, S., & Bennett, E. (2018). Evaluation of the Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: Learning Update 1 - Revisiting the Programme Theory of Change. CRESR, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-early-action-neighbourhood-fund-learning-update-1---revisiting-the-programme
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
Bennett, E., Dayson, C., & Pearson, S. (2017). Early Action Neighbourhood Fund: learning and evaluationyear two programme report. 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-two-programme-report
Bennett, E., & Eadson, W. (2017). Private, voluntary and public sector partnership for outdoor space provision: policy lessons from the Bags of Help grant programme evaluation. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/private-voluntary-and-public-sector-partnership-for-outdoor-space-provision-policy-lessons
Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2017). Evaluation of the Rotherham Mental Health Social Prescribing Service 2015/16-2016/17. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-rotherham-mental-health-social-prescribing-service-2015-16-2016-17
Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2016). Evaluation of Doncaster Social Prescribing Service: understanding outcomes and impact. Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-doncaster-social-prescribing-service-understanding-outcomes-and-impact
Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Tod, A. (2016). Warm safe and well: the evaluation of the Warm at Home Programme. Sheffield: Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/warm-safe-and-well-the-evaluation-of-the-warm-at-home-programme
Dayson, C., Bennett, E., Bashir, N., & Pattison, B. (2016). Evaluation of Age Better in Sheffield: first annual report: an emerging baseline. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-age-better-in-sheffield---first-annual-report-an-emerging-baseline
Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., Gilbertson, J., & Tod, A. (2016). Warm, safe and well: The evaluation of the Warm at Home Programme - Summary report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/warm-safe-and-well-the-evaluation-of-the-warm-at-home-programme---summary-report
Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2016). Key Findings from the Evaluation of the Rotherham Mental Health Social Prescribing Pilot. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/key-findings-from-the-evaluation-of-the-rotherham-mental-health-social-prescribing-pilot
Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2016). Evaluation of the Rotherham Mental Health Social Prescribing Pilot. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-rotherham-mental-health-social-prescribing-pilot
Dayson, C., & Bennett, E. (2016). Evaluation of the Rotherham Carers Resilience Service: final report. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-the-rotherham-carers-resilience-service-final-report
Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Foden, M. (2016). Evaluation of Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War Centenary Activity: Year 2 report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/sites/default/files/media/research/final_fww_year_2_report_.pdf
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
Dayson, C., Bashir, N., Bennett, E., & Sanderson, E. (2016). The Rotherham Social Prescribing Service for People with Long-Term Health Conditions: Annual Report. 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-health-conditions-annual-report
Dayson, C., Bashir, N., Bennett, E., & Sanderson, E. (2016). The Rotherham Social Prescribing Service for People with Long-Term Health Conditions: Summary Report. 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-health-conditions-summary-report
Hickman, P., Dayson, C., Ambrose, A., Batty, E., Bennett, E., Flint, J., ... Muir, J. (2015). Summary of key findings. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/summary-of-key-findings
Dayson, C., Hickman, P., Ambrose, A., Batty, E., Bennett, E., & Muir, J. (2015). Understanding the economic contribution of the social economy at a neighbourhood level: Final Report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/understanding-the-economic-contribution-of-the-social-economy-at-a-neighbourhood-level-final-report
Pearson, S., Bennett, E., Batty, E., & Green, S. (2015). Evaluation of the Doncaster community fund prospectus: final 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-doncaster-community-fund-prospectus-final-report
Bashir, N., Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Sanderson, E. (2015). Evaluation of Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War Centenary Activity: Year 1 report. Sheffield Hallam University, Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-heritage-lottery-funds-first-world-war-centenary-activity-year-1-report
Bashir, N., Bennett, E., Dayson, C., Eadson, W., & Sanderson, E. (2015). Evaluation of Heritage Lottery Fund’s First World War centenary activity: Year 1 report - executive summary. Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research, Sheffield Hallam University. https://www.shu.ac.uk/centre-regional-economic-social-research/publications/evaluation-of-heritage-lottery-funds-first-world-war-centenary-activity-year-1-report---summary
Theses / Dissertations
Watts, J. (2022). Constructing non-profit collaboration:a macro discursive institutional perspective. (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Bennett, E., Bennett, A., & Patmore, B. http://doi.org/10.7190/shu-thesis-00476
Presentations
Coule, T., Bennett, E., & Patmore, B. (2017). Bridging the Logic Divide in Public Service Delivery? The Case of Place-Based Early Action Interventions in the UK. Presented at: ARNOVA Conference 2017, Grand Rapids, Michigan