On Think Tanks

What makes a think tank truly influential—policy adoption, institution-building, or shaping public discourse? Think tanks do more than inform policy. They build capacity, foster dialogue, and drive long-term change. As #SouthAfrica prepares to lead the #G20 in 2025, platforms like the #T20 highlight their role in generating and advocating for policy solutions on a global scale. From strengthening institutions to preparing future decision-makers, their impact goes far beyond the policy process. Join us at #OTTConference2025 to explore these themes with leading experts:   🔹 Dr. Luciana S., President, Institute for Applied Economic Research (Ipea)   🔹 Damien King, Executive Director, Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) 🔹 Sara Pantuliano, Chief Executive, ODI Global 🔹 Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi, President and CEO, African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET)    Find out more and register your interest: https://lnkd.in/dAtNZP_c

US think tanks need to start to paying attention to the experiences of think tanks in other parts of the world where this is happening all the time. On Think Tanks will soon be joining Soapbox and think tanks from Argentina, Serbia and South Africa to share these experiences with US based think tanks. Stay tuned! (9th April) In the meantime... as the world turn authoritarian... what can think tanks and their funders do? https://lnkd.in/efPR6_Zt

This disruption caused by USAID and other government cuts has highlighted the extent to which the #GlobalSouth depends on external financial support, and, consequently, the fragility of this dependence. As I explore in this blog homegrown solutions which are alive and thriving- and the role of Northern funders in supporting them. #FundingFuture #Localisation #ThinkTanks #EIP #SustainableResearch

Today Samuel Mugacha moderated an insightful webinar on building resilient education research systems. Thank you to the entire team On Think Tanks and all of the panelists for leading this important discussion. Some key takeaways: 1️⃣ Sustainable Research Funding – Africa must transition from short-term, donor-driven research funding to long-term, policy-anchored domestic investment. 2️⃣ Maximizing Existing Research – 60-80% of research remains unpublished and underutilized. We must curate, disseminate, and apply existing local knowledge effectively. 3️⃣ Strengthening Public & Private Collaboration – National research councils, improved infrastructure, and greater business sector involvement are essential for sustainable research funding. 4️⃣ Mindset Shift & Storytelling – We need to get better at communicating research impact and prioritizing local evidence. Global organizations should support rather than dictate African research agendas. 5️⃣ Addressing Structural Barriers – Legal and bureaucratic hurdles make it difficult to channel funding effectively. We must streamline contracting processes and equip institutions with the right skills to navigate complex funding landscapes. #EducationResearch #ForAfricaByAfricaInAfrica

Think tank work is a constant learning process that requires adapting, rethinking, and leading through uncertainty. When I worked at a think tank in Ecuador, I often faced difficult questions: - How do we secure long-term funding without compromising independence? - How do we ensure our research has a real impact? - How do we navigate constant change and rethink our organisation’s role? The School for Thinktankers 2025 was a space to explore these questions, not just through expert-led sessions, but by learning from each other. As part of the On Think Tanks team, we had the opportunity to organise this edition in Barcelona and it was truly inspiring to see thinktankers from across the world come together to share strategies, challenges, and new ideas. I invite you to read my reflections on this experience here: https://lnkd.in/dt2NF72U The 10th edition of the School is coming in 2026! If you want to be part of this global learning community, applications are now open here: https://lnkd.in/eSbnGn-2

Thank you Samuel Mugacha and to Imaginable Futures, the organizers / supporters On Think Tanks and Echidna Giving for a provocative, solution-oriented session! It went beyond the crisis mentality to begin to crack open concrete solutions for sustainable progress - and beyond solely focusing on mobilizing funds. The efficiency of the organizing team - especially Busayomi Sotunde and Joyjayanti Chatterjee —quickly pulling everything together while fostering meaningful debate—was incredible. It was a delight to participate, and I deeply appreciate my fellow panelists - Fatima Adam from Zenex Foundation, Matthew Wallace from International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and my wonderful Education.org colleague Hon Dr. Kilemi Mwiria and the engaged audience. Looking forward to the next chapter of this important conversation!

Thank you On Think Tanks for organising yesterday’s thought-provoking webinar on building resilient education research systems in #Africa. With disruptions to international funding to education research highlighting the fragility of the current system, it was an important discussion on how national/local funders can ensure sustainable support moving forward. The importance of implementing learnings from research, and better 'storytelling' to show impact, was highlighted as one of the key elements to securing support. Samuel Mugacha Imaginable Futures On Think Tanks Echidna Giving 

“I would have loved to have had a space like this when I first started working in a think tank.” Camila Ulloa Torres, part of the On Think Tanks programme team, knows firsthand how challenging it can be to navigate a think tank career—especially when there are no clear roadmaps. That’s why organising #SchoolForThinktankers2025 was such a powerful experience for her. Read Camila’s full reflections in this new #OTTBlog: https://lnkd.in/dt2NF72U Want to join the next cohort? The 10th edition of the School is coming in 2026—apply now: https://lnkd.in/dVgJ3jZ2 #ThinkTankLeadership #Collaboration #PolicyImpact #SchoolForThinktankers2026

Actionable insights, bold debates, and honest conversations—this is #OTTConference2025. 📢 Thought-provoking keynotes 💡 Curated parallel sessions tackling critical challenges 🌍 Regional meetups to connect with peers 🔥 Unpopular opinions & think tank “fails” nights 🤝 Candid discussions with funders on rethinking partnerships 🗣️ An open forum to shape the agenda in our Unconference session Join us in #Johannesburg, 16-18 June 2025, for dynamic discussions and new ideas. Register your interest now: https://lnkd.in/dAtNZP_c #OTTConference2025 #ThinkTanks #PublicPolicy #SouthAfrica #PolicyImpact

📚 We recently brought together education leaders, researchers, and evidence intermediaries to explore practical ways to improve the production, synthesis, and use of evidence in education. The energy, commitment, and depth of discussion reinforced the urgent need for coordinated efforts to strengthen the education evidence ecosystem. 💡 Our discussions focused on tangible ways to make evidence synthesis more efficient and impactful, ensuring that research speaks to the realities of policymakers and practitioners. A key theme was the importance of aligning with broader cross-sector initiatives, such as those supported by Wellcome Trust and UKRI ESRC, while also ensuring that education remains at the frontier of innovation in evidence use. This is not just about one initiative—it’s about how all of us can contribute to making education research more accessible, actionable, and impactful. #Education #Innovation #Discussions #Research #Evidence #Impact Aga Khan Foundation Gates Foundation International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) On Think Tanks J-PAL Europe International Finance Facility for Education (IFFEd) Future Evidence Foundation Innovations for Poverty Action Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) The Open University UNICEF Innocenti What Works Hub for Global Education Porticus HundrEDorg Centre for Evidence and Implementation