The On Think Tanks Conference is an opportunity to bring together thinktankers, think tank scholars, policy entrepreneurs and think tanks funders from around the world to share experiences, present their research, co-develop solutions to common challenges and establish new or strengthen old partnerships.
The OTT Conference is organised by OTT in collaboration with the University of Bath, Universidad del Pacífico and Soapbox with the support from the Hewlett Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the Institute for Policy Research at the University of Bath and SENACYT (the Panamanian science and technology council).
The OTT Conference was initially conceived as an opportunity to invite OTT’s collaborators and partners to join the OTT Team right after our own annual meeting. After the first conference in February 2017, we decided to gradually broaden the number and range of participants to include individuals from organisations who may or may not have collaborated with OTT but who would contribute to a rich and fruitful discussion.
The OTT Conference is designed to provide participants with as much freedom as possible to determine the issues they wish to address, lead the organisation of panels or workshops, and shape the meeting’s outcomes. It has taken us a few months to come up with the programme below.
Hence, in 2018, OTT has only scheduled a few key-note speakers and sessions to kick-start the process. In the run up to the event, we have asked participants to help us produce sessions that they would like to lead and/or be part of. These may include presentations, panels, group-work and workshops.
The University of Bath’s venue in London also offers all participants the opportunity to meet each other in smaller groups or bilaterally to establish new or strengthen existing partnerships. We have built-in time for this to take place.
Finally, OTT will record the Conference and report it to a wider audience, hence maximising the benefits for those who were not able to attend.
You can follow us via @onthinktanks fb.com/onthinktanks and #thinktanksmatter #ottconference
Who is this for?
The Conference is for think tank leaders and thinktankers, policy entrepreneurs in the field of evidence informed policymaking, policy research funders and think tank scholars who are interested in critical unpacking the think tank label, addressing the opportunities and challenges these organisations face, and exploring the changes within and around them.
This is not an open conference – mainly, because space is limited. But if you wish to be considered in case there is an opening, please complete the survey below. You will be able to follow the discussion via @onthinktanks fb.com/onthinktanks and #thinktanksmatter #ottconference
The Conference is a perfect space to:
- Present new research on think tanks or evidence informed policy and seek feedback from fellow participants;
- Seek out help or support from peers to address a challenge or take advantage of an emerging opportunity;
- Explore new collaboration and launch new partnerships;
- Learn about think tanks, how to fund and support them, how best to work with them, etc.
See highlights from OTT Conference 2018