Dr Siobhan Daly is an Associate Professor and part of the International Relations and Politics subject group. Her research focuses on philanthropy and volunteering, championing innovative methodologies and the conceptual and theoretical development of philanthropy and voluntary sector studies. As Principal Investigator (PI) she has held grants from the Leverhulme Trust (Artist in Residence Scheme, 2017-18) and the British Academy/Leverhulme Trust Small Grants scheme (2016-18; 2007-8). She was part of a Horizon 2020 project COGOV: Co-production and Co-governance: Strategic Management, Public Value and Co-creation in the Renewal of Public Agencies across Europe. Drawing upon her research Siobhan teaches on the BA (Hons) International Relations and Politics programme. She has also held a number of leadership and management roles in the Department of Social Sciences including Head of Subject and roles in Business and Engagement. She is currently Impact Lead.

My research on philanthropy and volunteering addresses a number of themes:

(i)               The development of philanthropy, including the evolution of the concept of philanthropy. In the UK context, I have explored the emergence of philanthropic relationships and the roles of community foundations. My current research interest lies in the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for philanthropy, particularly philanthropic foundations; how they approach their work and their relationships with grantees.

(ii)               The experiences of volunteers, especially those in leadership and governance roles in charities. As part of a BA/Leverhulme Trust grant, I was PI on a project which explored the experiences of volunteer trustees in charities that work with and/or for people with learning disabilities.

(iii)             The use of ‘new’ methodological perspectives to explore philanthropy and volunteering. As PI on a Leverhulme Trust Artist in Residence grant, I worked with Dr Michele Allen, a visual artist. We used arts-based research to reveal the meaning and significance of philanthropy to key sites in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne. Building on this research, we subsequently engaged volunteers in walking interviews to explore the dynamic of volunteering, space and place. The ways in which public spaces are changing, particularly in the context of austerity and how processes of change are managed forms part of my work on an EU Horizon 2020 funded project: Co-production and Co-Governance: Strategic Management, Public Value and Co Creation in the Renewal of Public Agencies across Europe.