Think Tank Lab

Amid a busy fall season, we’re thrilled to look back on a major highlight: the kick-off of our new 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀! Bringing together 17 participants from 15 organizations, the program is designed to address the unique challenges faced by think tankers working in mid-level positions. The first module started with a discussion on the evolving role of think tanks in policy-making with Annika Bolten-Drutschmann from the Auswärtiges Amt (Federal Foreign Office) Germany. In the first practical session, Goran Buldioski from Hertie School shared his perspective and experiences as an (ex-) funder in the think tank sector. The cohort engaged in a dynamic workshop on positioning in a shifting funding environment with Jo Redhead from Royal United Services Institute and reflected on the broader challenges facing the think tank sector in an exchange with Christian Mölling from Bertelsmann Stiftung. On day two, Stefan Heumann from Agora Digitale Transformation shared strategies for developing effective research, while Almut Möller from the European Policy Centre helped participants reflect on the challenges of career transitions as they take on greater responsibility. We wrapped up with a session on Adaptive Leadership led by Ayla Merino from LEAD Forward, which set the stage for two follow-up online sessions focused on participants’ real-world leadership challenges and peer exchange. A common thread throughout the training, was the realization that our participants face very similar challenges. Tied up in our daily work, we sometimes tend to forget that we are not alone. We’re happy to provide a space for meaningful, cross-organizational exchange, where peers can come together to share experiences and learn from each other. We can’t wait for the next online session and the final module in November. Stay tuned for more insights from our journey! ❓ 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴? The Think Tank Lab’s Leadership and Management Training is a compact training program that is specifically tailored to the needs of mid-level think tank staff. Combining expert-led sessions with hands-on activities, the program equips participants with actionable tools and skills to navigate leadership challenges successfully and fosters connections with peers and stakeholders from the think tank ecosystem. 🔎 Learn more about the program here: https://lnkd.in/eD5uXPay

Meet our #ThinkTankSchool 🎓 Fellow, Kaspar Pucek from The Clingendael Institute, who is tackling a critical question in European foreign policy with his project, "𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨’𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗻." With Belarus’s growing dependence on Moscow, Kaspar’s project explores how the EU might pivot to a more pragmatic approach that enhances Belarus’s geopolitical autonomy. His research delves into key questions: What policy instruments could the EU use to foster this autonomy? And what trade-offs come with implementing these at various stages—now, post-war in Ukraine, or after Lukashenko’s potential exit from politics? By mapping these strategies and their implications, Kaspar aims to provide European policymakers with a roadmap for a more effective Belarus policy.

The following is an excerpt from the article https://is.gd/EwE4Nj This article highlights the significant shift toward human-centered policy-making, emphasizing emotion, empathy, and ethnography to understand citizens' perspectives more deeply. It emphasizes a shift towards greater citizen empowerment, bridging the gap between policy-makers and the communities they serve.

Announcing Anja Wehler-Schoeck, International Editor at Verlag Der Tagesspiegel as a speaker at our next WonkComms Breakfast Club Berlin with Think Tank Lab 💫 🗓️ When: 13 November 2024, 9:00 - 10:00am 📍 Where: Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), Alte Jakobstrasse 85-86, 10179 Berlin There are only a few tickets left so make sure you get yours TODAY: https://lnkd.in/gDiMK9Mf ☕ Coffee, croissants, and comms – the perfect way to start your day ☕ #WonkComms #Breakfast #Event #ThinkTanks #Berlin

Today's featured #ThinkTankSchool 🎓 Fellow is Pia Sombetzki, Policy & Advocacy Manager at AlgorithmWatch, whose project focuses on the 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗨 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁 and how to get it right. Pia dives into the ongoing implementation process, with a special focus on engaging with national stakeholders in #Germany. Her work explores how to strengthen weaker provisions of the Act and addresses key challenges, such as creating a robust oversight ecosystem that effectively involves data protection agencies and equality bodies. We’re excited to follow Pia’s work as she navigates the complexities of AI regulation. You are too and want to know more? - Reach out to her 🗣 💡 #AIAct #AIRegulation #ThinkTanks #AI #PolicyResearch #ArtificialIntelligence

Excited to introduce Claudia Wessling, Director of Communications and Publications at Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS), as a speaker at our next WonkComms Breakfast Club Berlin with Think Tank Lab 🇩🇪 At the event on the 13th of November, Claudia will share lessons from MERICS work with news organisations as well as her previous work as a journalist. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gDiMK9Mf #WonkComms #Breakfast #Event #ThinkTanks #Berlin

📢 Calling all Think Tank communications specialists! Join us for the next #WonkComms Breakfast Club in cooperation with Soapbox at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS). We’ll explore how think tank communicators can align with the news cycle, craft press releases that resonate with current events, and engage effectively with journalists. 🗓️ When: 13 November 2024, 9:00 - 10:00 📍 Where: MERICS, Alte Jakobstrasse 85-86, 10179 Berlin The discussion will be led by Claudia Wessling, who brings valuable experience from her journalism background and her role at MERICS, alongside Anja Wehler-Schoeck, international editor at Tagesspiegel. Together, they’ll offer practical tips on media relations and how to leverage think tank research for maximum impact. ☕ Coffee, croissants, and comms – the perfect way to start your day Register here: https://lnkd.in/dbGesMYN

Great to see what our participants of the 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 & 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 are taking with them! Read below and stay tuned for more insights into this new capacity-building program 💡

🌟 Today you're meeting our #ThinkTankSchool Fellow, Gelila Enbaye, Research Associate at the Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi). Her project is focused on "𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀-𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻". Gelila is investigating how tools from futures-thinking can support peace mediation efforts by helping mediators navigate entrenched positions and identify strategic moments for intervention. Drawing on transformative processes from countries like South Africa and Colombia, her project seeks to expand the toolkit available to mediators and foster an exchange of knowledge between the fields of futures-thinking and mediation. Are you working in the field of futures-thinking and are interested in Gelila's work? Reach out to her to exchange 🗣 💡 #PeaceMediation #FuturesThinking #ConflictResolution #ThinkTanks #PolicyResearch

10 years ago, the World Bank released a study that examined the dissemination and impact of their policy reports. Here were the top line findings: -- 87% were never cited, not once -- More than 31% never even downloaded -- Only 13% were downloaded over 250 times And this is the World Bank, a household name with connections to every major media outlet in the world. Think of how much harder it is for your (presumably) much smaller, newer, and less renowned organisation to break through the noise. Well worth reading (and re-reading) for all Comms, Advocacy and Policy units out there.