معرفی
Dr Alison Body is an Honorary Researcher at the University of Kent's School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research and the Centre for Philanthropy. Formerly a Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University (2015-2017), she completed her PhD at the University of Kent in 2016, examining the relationship between children’s charities and the state. Her work bridges academia and practice, focusing on philanthropy, third-sector dynamics, and children’s rights.
Her research emphasizes participatory methods, particularly in studying how children engage with charitable giving and civic education. She leads a UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) project (2022–2025) titled ‘Educating for Public Good’, exploring philanthropic citizenship cultivation in primary education. Dr Body also serves as a director of Led by the Wild CiC, a trustee of the Voluntary Sector Studies Network, and a primary school governor.
Key research themes include: philanthropy in education, voluntary-sector-state collaboration, and children’s roles in social action. Over 40 peer-reviewed articles and books, including Children and Charities: A Decade of Change (2020) and Children as Change Makers (2024), reflect her interdisciplinary approach. Her work frequently addresses policy implications of austerity, commissioning practices, and youth empowerment.
Publications highlight trends in civic learning, transformative giving, and the ethics of fundraising with children. Grants include ESRC funding for her current project. She actively contributes to media discussions on philanthropy, public-sector funding, and children’s agency in charitable activities.
