Policy & Practice research was put to test by Durham University’s Applied Social Science Society on the evening of 13th March in Leech Hall, St John’s College followed by a social event at Varsity. Professor Tony Chapman introduced a debate on volunteering by asking unconventionally challenging questions about the value of voluntary social action for the people who take part and those it aims to help.
The debate addressed the issue in an equally unconventional way by concentrating on why some people choose not to volunteer. Most of the empirical literature says the same thing: that people don’t have time, don’t know what to do, or haven’t been asked. But is that too simple? Maybe people choose not to volunteer because of deeper reasons and just don’t want to feel embarrassed publicly on admitting why. Equally importantly, Professor Chapman asked why those who do volunteer are attracted to particular causes but are repelled from others. What cultural factors underpin this?
Professor Chapman’s recent paper with Dr Barbara McGuinness on the topic can be found here.