The Volunteering Research Papers aim to capture evidence on a wide range of topics related to volunteering and outline key insights for policy and practice. The Volunteering Research Papers are peer reviewed, and insights will directly inform the development of the National Strategy for Volunteering.
The Volunteering Research Papers are an initiative of the National Strategy for Volunteering Research Working Group.
Volunteering Research Papers
Round 1
The great (volunteer) resignation: An evidence-based strategy for retaining volunteers
by Vivien Forner, Djurre Holtrop, Darja Kragt, and Anya Johnson
A review and analysis of current research on volunteer turnover, and presents evidence-based recommendations for key actions that will have the greatest impact on minimising turnover rates in volunteer involving organisations.
Corporate volunteering: implications for policy and practice
by Debbie Haski-Leventhal
This paper summarises available research on corporate volunteering in Australia. It outlines the main styles of employee volunteering programs, motivations for employers, employees, not-for-profits, and the community to participate, and the main determinants of success in corporate volunteering initiatives.
Without leadership there is no volunteering: The importance of strategic investment in leadership development in Australia
by Darja Kragt, Sarah Wilson, Toby Newstead, and Vivien Forner
This paper reviews existing scholarly evidence on effective volunteer leadership, examining key challenges faced by Leaders of Volunteers in Australia and the role volunteer leadership development can play in addressing these challenges.
The free-fall of volunteer leaders in Australian grassroots associations
by Christel Mex
This paper presents data on grassroots organisations, small groups of volunteers who come together for leisure and social connectedness, arguing that membership numbers of these associations are declining with fewer members willing to step up and become leaders. The paper also identifies why, or why not, members choose to nominate as leaders, with many research participants reporting disturbing experiences while serving on committees.
Volunteering within ethno-religious community contexts: Empirical insights with a focus on Muslim intra-community engagement in Australia
by Mario Peucker
This paper presents a synthesis of key research on ethno-religious intra-community volunteering in a pluralistic civil society – with a particular focus on volunteering in Australian Muslim communities, highlighting the multiple personal and social benefits of volunteering within ethno-religious community contexts.
Understanding motivations to volunteer
by Arthur Stukas and Sarah Wilson
This paper summarises the literature on volunteer motivations, discussing the relationship between motivations and other aspects of the volunteering experience, including retention, satisfaction, and wellbeing.
Emergency volunteering: leading engagement and retention
by Amber Tsai, Toby Newstead, and Gemma Lewis
This paper reviews research on volunteer leadership development in emergency response organisations, detailing recommendations for both leaders of volunteers and for researchers.
The Decline of Formal Volunteering in Australia (2001–2020): Insights from the HILDA Survey
by Rong Zhu
This paper examines the prevalence and intensity of formal voluntary work provided through an organisation in Australia using long-run nationally representative data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, finding that volunteering participation in Australia generally declined from 2001 to 2020.
