The School for Thinktankers is designed to prepare the next generation of think tank leaders. A think tank leader cannot rely solely on being a great researcher, they also must be managers, networkers, and communicators. Unfortunately, many researchers and think tankers do not get to build many of these skills...

A think tank’s research agenda is a vital part of its DNA; it reveals several aspects of an organisation. External audiences, whether donors, government officials, or other think tanks that may either be competing or searching for alliances, will try to make sense of your research agenda to determine your...

Funding is a key concern for every think tank due to how it affects its sustainability, the way people work, and the type of research that is conducted, as well as the potential for having sustained policy influence. Even though there is an ample offering of capacity building activities that...

The subject of think tank governance and management rarely gets the attention that the fields of research and communications receive. However, poor governance arrangements and limited management capacity are most likely to explain any shortfalls in research quality and communication impact. Executive director transitions can put the survival of the think...

Publications are one of the most important products produced by think tanks. While communication techniques are evolving and many organisations now use a mix of social media, data visualisation, podcasts, and events to help expose their research, the existence of a solid and well-written research report is a prerequisite. Though...

As our global media landscape changes, think tanks that hope to have an impact on both policy decisions and public opinion must engage their audiences in diverse ways. Video has become an increasingly critical part of a comprehensive think tank communications strategy. When used well, video can be an effective...

Data visualisations are play an increasingly important role in today’s information-rich society. This is especially true among think tanks, where translating complex ideas and data into accessible and relevant information is at the heart of what they do. This course explores basic data visualisation practice with design theory. It shares...

Most think tanks consciously seek to influence what powerful institutions do. A few years ago, a prominent American politician left Congress to lead a large think tank because, he explained, working for that think tank would give him greater power to influence US politics and policy. However, many other think...

The literature on how to monitor, evaluate and learn (MEL) about policy influence is abundant. However, instructions on specific practices, particularly in developing countries, are quite scarce. This short course helps participants to sift through the key frameworks and look at benefits and challenges, in a way that is practical...

Los líderes de think tanks deben ser más que excelentes investigadores, también debe ser gerentes, networkers, comunicadores, etc. El School for Thinktankers está diseñado para preparar y apoyar el desarrollo integral de thinktankers, y aprender sobre las múltiples dimensiones que conlleva trabajar y liderar un centro de investigación. El School...

El “Taller para organizaciones políticas del Ecuador: el uso de evidencia en política pública y los think tanks partidarios” ha sido diseñado para apoyar a jóvenes en el desarrollo o fortalecimiento de iniciativas que contribuyan a hacer un uso más estratégico de la evidencia en sus organizaciones. La evidencia generada...

The School for Thinktankers 2022 is a three-week programme delivered from 24 January to 11 February. Over the course of these three weeks participants are expected to join the learning space every day from 12:30 GMT to 14:30 GMT (some days until 15:00, see programme). The programme is designed to...

The OTT Fellowship 2022 is a five-month collaborative working programme. It is designed for current and promising think tank leaders who are committed to undergoing a process of personal and professional development, and who want to bring about change within their organisations. Our Fellowship offers thinktankers the opportunity to: strengthen core think tank and...

The School for Thinktankers is a one-week programme hosted in Brussels. It is an opportunity to learn about the many dimensions of think tanking and to strengthen and prepare for leadership roles. The School is taught by current and former think tank directors and expert practitioners. You will learn with...

Effective communication is central to being a successful think tanks or advocacy group. It is a critical part of shaping policy and practice. To ensuring that research is relevant. That evidence and analysis gets to decision-makers when they need it, and how they need it. Over eight modules, this course...