Think Tanks
Contact
Introduction
"Defining think tanks, and establishing clear boundaries as to which organizations fit within the category, is one of the most conceptually difficult tasks ... At the broadest level...think tanks are institutions that provide public policy research, analysis, and advice.[However,] Many interest groups, university research centers, and other civil society organizations carrry out policy research and advice...Many government agencies also offer policy research and advice...
...a middle course in defining think tanks [is] as policy research organizations that have significant autonomy from government and from societal interests such as firms, interest groups, and political parties. However,...autonomy is a relative rather than an absolute term, and...the operational definition of think tanks must differ from region to region"
R. Kent Weaver and James G. McGann (eds.)2000. Think Tanks & Civil Societies. Catalysts for Ideas and Action. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. pp. 4-5.
Democratic government
 | The Constitution Unit
The unit is an independent research project, based at University College London, involving academics, parliamentarians, former civil servants and others. Its aim is to identify the practical steps involved in implementing constitutional reform. Their briefing papers can be seen at this site.
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Centre-Left
| Institute for Public Policy Research
The IPPR is a centre-left think-tank contributing to key debates on economic, political and social issues. The site includes full-text articles.
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Centre-Right
| Adam Smith Institute
A right-wing think-tank, the ASI was influential in the Thatcher years producing pioneering work in issues such as privatisation and funded pensions viewed from a libertarian, free market perspective
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| The Bow Group
The Bow Group exists to develop policy, publish research and stimulate debate within the Conservative Party. It has no corporate view, but represents all strands of Conservative opinion.
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| The Centre for Social Justice
This is the website for the CSJ which is a think tank founded by Conservative members in 2004. The site provides information relating to the activities of the think tank. Topics covered include poverty, social exclusion, homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, youth crime and community development.
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Liberal
| CentreForum
:
the liberal think tank
CentreForum is a public policy think tank which represents Liberal Democrat values in areas of concern including social, economic and political reform.
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'Independent'
The term 'independent' is used in this instance to cover those think tanks and research institutes that are non-affiliated to political organisations. The subjects covered by these institutions are multifarious, and include health, social welfare, economics, public policy, finance, and social relations to name but a few.
| Welcome to the IEA
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) is a free market think-tank founded in 1955. Its goal is to explain free market ideas to anyone interested in public policy. Its main activity is researching and publishing books and a journal. Its publications can be downloaded from this site.
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| Demos
An independent think-tank based in London, it defines it's role as " reinvigorating public policy and political thinking". Demos' current research interests include pensions, European identity, the information society, the future of learning and job creation.
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| The Federal Trust for education and research
:
enlightening the debate on good governance
An independent think-tank which contributes to the study of federalism at a local, national and global level, and also to the relationship of Britain to its EU counterparts
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| The Foreign Policy Centre
The FPC is an independent think tank (Tony Blair is the patron and Robin Cook the president). It works to develop innovative thinking and to broaden interest and debate on foreign policy, and U.K. foreign policy goals.
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| Institute for Citizenship
:
encouraging active citizenship
Committed to promoting informed, active citizenship by greater participation in democracy and society
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| The Social Market Foundation
The SMF currently has two core objectives. These are to develop its work on the social market approach and to widen the audience for that work among decision makers.However, its scope is broadening to include analysis of the new policy agenda including education and training, the funding and organisation of public services and initiatives such as Zero Tolerance
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| New Policy Institute (NPI)
The focus of the NPI is on policy throughout the major services (health, finance, employment etc.). In other words what it achieves when implemented, and how it is implemented. The NPI is also interested in the affect government has on non-governmental organisations
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 | LRD publications online
This site contains the text of Labour research; Bargaining report, now titled Workplace report; LRD booklets from the start of 1994. Latest publications added each month
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| Nexus
:
the policy and ideas network
Britain's first 'virtual think tank.' Nexus is an umbrella structure within which individuals from a range of organisations can communicate and co-ordinate, and through which the public profile and influence of their ideas and work can be increased.
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| Politeia
:
a forum for social and economic thinking
Politeia, established in 1995, aims to promote social and economic thinking in areas including employment, tax, education, health, pensions etc.
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| The David Hume Institute
The aims and objectives of the Institute are to promote discourse and research on economic and legal aspects of public policy questions.
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| MigrationwatchUK
An independent think tank established in October 2001, MigrationwatchUK monitors developments and conducts research into the immigration rise in the UK
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| Policy exchange
Policy Exchange is an independent think tank. It promotes ideas and policies based on strong communities, personal freedom, limited government, national self-confidence and an enterprise culture. The website includes links to publications, press releases and events.
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| Reform
Reform is an independent think tank which aims to identify better ways to deliver public services and economic prosperity. Topics covered include health, education, crime, transport and economy. The site includes links to campaign information, publications and events.
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NI, Scotland & Wales
European integration
| Global Britain
Global Britain is a 'cross party' think tank providing independent research into what has become one of the most important political and economic issues: Britain and the EU
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| The European Policy Centre
The EPC is based in Brussels and its aim is to contribute to the construction of a Europe equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century
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| Centre for European Reform
:
new ideas for a new Europe
The CER debates the future of the EU from a pro-European stance, but with a recognition that there is room for improvement within the EU's policies
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| Centre for Economic Policy Research
The CEPR is a European economics research network addressing key European and global policy issues such as migration, European labour markets, monetary union and social exclusion.
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| Centre for European Policy Studies
:
the leading think-tank in Brussels
A leading think-tank on european affairs, CEPS applies its analyses and research into European issues to suggest policy alternatives on matters such as the EMU, fiscal policy, and institutional reform.
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| Global Vision
:
European nation, global future
This group reconsiders Britain's position in EU
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Europe
| The Centre for Economic Reform and Transformation (CERT)
CERT was established in 1990 in response to the changes taking place in Central and Eastern Europe. It aims to increase academic understanding of the economic transition to a market economy, and to advise policy makers in the U.K. and internationally.
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Society
| Social Affairs Unit (SAU)
Founded in 1980,the SAU is an independent institution focusing on a range of social policy issues and social values.
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| CIVITAS
:
the Institute for the Study of Civil Society
Launched in 2000 as an independent registered charity, CIVITAS focuses on health, welfare, education and the family, whilst increasing public understanding of the institutions, beliefs and values underpinning democratic society
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| IRR news network
The Institute of Race Relations was established as an independent educational charity in 1958 to promote the study of race relations and make suggestions for their improvement. The IRR news site provides links to news items on race and refugee issues in the UK and the rest of Europe and includes options to search or browse e.g. by topic or year.
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| King's Fund
The King´s Fund is an independent health care charity. Their main focus is working to improve the health of Londoners by making change happen in health and social care. Their site includes links to other sites of interest and information on their activities - including their Library which is open to all and offers a range of services eg. current awareness, reading lists on selected topics.
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| Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations
The Centre for Research in Ethnic Relations is the major academic body in the UK for the research and teaching of matters concerning racism, migration and ethnic relations. The site includes details of their projects, publications etc. and access to the CRER database of pamphlets, articles etc. held by their Resources Centre. The Resources Centre houses a unique collection of primarily British non-book materials covering a wide range of issues in ethnic relations.
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| Equality and Human Rights Commission
Formed by a merger of the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), Disability Rights Commission (DRC) and Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), the EHRC describes itself as "a milestone along the road to a fairer, more equal Britain". Its website includes news and comment, information and advice for individuals and organisations, online publications, etc.
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Work & employee relations
| The Work Foundation
An independent body, the Work Foundation, previously known as the Industrial Society, aims to stimulate debate and influence policies affecting work and employment. As well as conducting ongoing research programmes for individuals and organisations, the site links to topic papers and reports on current issues such as workplace stress, employment conditions etc.
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International directories
International development
Humanitarian issues, economics, studies of conflict, business, the environment, science and technology and social issues are represented by the following organisations in this section.
| Institute of Development Studies
"The Institute of Development Studies is a leading global organisation for research, teaching and communications on international development. Founded in 1966, it enjoys an international reputation based on the quality of its work and its commitment to applying academic skills to real world challenges." (abstract from website, About IDS)
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| Chatham House
Chatham House is concerned with issues relating to international economics, international security, the environment, and relations between countries and continents
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| Institute for International Relations
Based in Croatia, The Institute for International Relations (IMO) is a public non-profit policy research organization studies of international economic and political relations, transitional policy, international markets, sustainable development, resource economics and environmental policy, foreign policy analysis, strategic decision analysis, and culture and communication.
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| International Policy Network (IPN)
IPN is a non-profit organization. Its goal is "to encourage better public understanding of the role of the institutions of the free society in social and economic development".
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Research institutions
| The Policy Studies Institute
An independent research institute concerned with matters of social and economic policy, the PSI site includes information on their research and publications, an archive with the fulltext of older publications, links etc.
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| Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)
Information about the research activities of the IFS, its publications. Contains the gateway to Biz/Ed-IFS Virtual Economy, an educational economic model.
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| The Regulatory Policy Institute (RPI)
The RPI is an independent research institute and a registered charity. Its objective is to promote discussion and study concerning the regulatory policies of business activities by official or governmental authorities.
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