Current State and Considerations for the Future of Institutionalised Knowledge Production in Cultural Studies

OTT is producing a specialised report examining the current state and future of institutionalised knowledge production in cultural studies, with a particular focus on area studies centres and cultural research institutions across both the Global North and Global South. Commissioned as part of a broader initiative by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture to develop a framework for supporting think tanks in the cultural sector, this project maps the historical origins, evolving landscape, and policy relevance of these institutions, from established centres in the United States, Europe, and Japan to emerging ones in China, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. The report explores the ecosystem of actors involved in cultural knowledge production, including area studies centres, cultural policy think tanks, and local research institutions, and examines how they interact with one another and with foreign and domestic policy processes. It concludes with actionable recommendations on funding, cross-institutional collaboration, and the role of philanthropy and public support in sustaining a vibrant global cultural knowledge ecosystem.