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Think tank leaders

These studies, interviews and articles deal with issues of governance and management, communications, and research from the unique perspective of think tank Executive Directors and other think tank leaders globally. They illustrate the diversity of think tanks and thinktankers. If you would like to recommend someone to interview or submit an interview, please get in touch.

On leadership

Leadership is at the heart of any successful thinktanking effort. The Build a Think Tank Guide offers insights into the importance of leaders in the design and deliver of an organisation’s vision and misson. We understand leadership broadly, including individuals at all levels of the organisation. But executive director are first among all. In the words of Simon Maxwell, they have the best job in the world; but it is also an impossible one.

These studies and insights offer an overview of the nature of the role as well as the opportunities and challenges think tank leaders face.

In their words

We complement and inform these studies with interviews with think tank leaders from across the world. Their experiences offer a wealth of evidence, advice and inspiration for current and future leaders.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Africa

South Asia

Asia

US and Europe

Development opportunities

At OTT we know that leading a think tank is a difficult yet exiting role.

The School for Thinktankers  is a transformative programme designed to strengthen leadership skills, empowering thinktankers to effectively manage and innovate within their organisations.

​​It addresses a critical gap in the think tank sector: many leaders, typically researchers by background, progress without the essential skills to effectively manage think tanks. Beyond research and policy expertise, leaders are required to be skilled fundraisers, communicators and managers capable of driving impactful organisations.

Since 2017, our programme has responded to this need. Find out more here.