A new hub for third sector research and social action launched today

Heralded as one of the first in a new generation of ‘think-and-do’ tanks, Glasgow-based Think! Research and Consulting is attempting to blur the divide between research and practical action, and to work in new ways that go beyond the typical client-consultant relationship.

Clients will include frontline third sector organisations themselves as well as those agencies that sit behind and support the frontline – national government, local public authorities, and third sector intermediaries, funders, and investors.

Jonathan Coburn, founding Director and Principal Consultant at Think!:

“I tend to approach the future in very positive terms. Even during the tough times ahead I can see tremendous opportunities to empower communities, stimulate social action, and carve out an even greater role for the third sector in public service reform. I see our role at Think! as providing the objective evidence and support required to make sense of change and to help make things happen.”

Think! has been set up as a unique form of private-social partnership.  This partnership brings together the expertise of CEiS (now the UK’s oldest and largest social enterprise development agency) with the former social research team of one of the UK’s better known private sector consultancy practices – EKOS. To this mix it has added a highly experienced pool of third sector researchers and consultants that are located across the UK and internationally – I’m pleased to say I’m one of them.

With commissions already secured with clients in locations ranging from Alloa to Vancouver, Think! is set to make a big splash on the national and international third sector scene.