{"id":587,"date":"2015-07-07T17:35:06","date_gmt":"2015-07-07T17:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/?p=587"},"modified":"2016-01-14T00:11:28","modified_gmt":"2016-01-14T00:11:28","slug":"the-prospect-2015-think-tank-awards-the-winners-and-some-reflections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/articles\/the-prospect-2015-think-tank-awards-the-winners-and-some-reflections\/","title":{"rendered":"The Prospect 2015 Think Tank Awards: the winners and some reflections"},"content":{"rendered":"

The\u00a0Prospect<\/a><\/em>\u00a0Think Tank Awards\u00a0<\/a>were held at the Institute of Directors on Tuesday 30th June, showing, among other things, that there is a great deal of interest and appetite in the private sector for what think tanks have to say.<\/p>\n

According to the organisers:<\/p>\n

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it was an exceptional 12 months, characterised by some of the most profound policy challenges in recent times, including the Greek debt crisis, the rise of Islamic State and the continued economic weakness that is the legacy of the financial crisis. The General Election with its unforeseen result also gave think tanks a wide array of new questions to confront. We look forward to seeing how they will respond in the coming months.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This year the US and EU categories were much larger and included a set of finalists and winners for economic and financial think tanks, social policy, energy and environment, and international affairs.<\/p>\n

Coming up with an argument to award the top prize to a think tank is much harder when the policy space is too broad. The beauty of the Prospect model is that it is very politically relevant -and highly contextual. As a consequence, the arguments given by the judges in the case of the UK categories were more robust. The assessment\u00a0about their contribution was richer.<\/p>\n

That said, it is likely that the US and EU categories will develop and, with more applications, the judging and reasoning behind the awards, will improve.<\/p>\n

The winners<\/h2>\n

I have included a section from Bronwen Maddox\u2019s speech to illustrate the reasons given. This is useful for any think tank interesting in learning from others. You can read the entire speech here:\u00a0Prospect Think Tank Awards 2015<\/a>.<\/p>\n

US think tanks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Economic and financial<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Peterson Institute<\/a>,\u00a0Bipartisan Policy\u00a0Center<\/a>, and\u00a0Reason<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0Bipartisan Policy\u00a0Center<\/p>\n

But this year\u2019s winner was the\u00a0Bipartisan Policy Center<\/strong>, a smaller think tank whose sharp focus on the question of financial regulation stood out for judges. The organisation \u201cdeserves huge credit for the way that it has defined its mission,\u201d commented one judge, adding that \u201cuntangling the process of regulatory reform is a very difficult task since these processes are fiendishly complex.\u201d The \u201cveritable army\u201d of well-funded industry lobbyists in Washington makes the Center\u2019s work all the more important, said another, and the importance of its work, combined with the precision of its focus, judges agreed, made them worthy winners in this category.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

US Social Policy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Brookings Institution<\/a>,\u00a0RAND Corporation<\/a>, and\u00a0New America<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0New America<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was\u00a0New America<\/strong>, a think tank whose work was called \u201cambitious,\u201d and \u201cwide-reaching,\u201d ranging from analysis of American families to higher education reform. It is \u201cnot afraid to challenge cherished American notions of class mobility,\u201d a judge commented, \u201cand has been becoming more and more visible on the international stage.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

US energy and the environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0RAND Corporation<\/a>,\u00a0Brookings Institution<\/a>, and\u00a0World Resources Institute<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER: RAND Corporation<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was the\u00a0RAND Corporation<\/strong>, which was commended for its work on the immense problem of China\u2019s chronic air pollution. \u201cThe economic scale of the challenge as set out is sobering,\u201d commented one judge and for this reason the RAND was found to be a worthy winner.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

International affairs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Migration Policy Institute<\/a>,\u00a0Brookings Institution<\/a>, and the\u00a0Carnegie Endowment for International Peace<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER: Brookings Institution<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was the\u00a0Brookings Institution<\/strong>, a think tank whose work, and its breadth and depth, was called \u201ccontinually impressive,\u201d by one judge. It was also noted that: \u201cThe rigour of its research, the expertise of its many scholars and its role as a setting for keynote presentations by major policymakers put it in the top tier of think tanks around the world.\u201d It is hardly unknown, but all the same has resisted the lack of focus or originality that can afflict the biggest think tanks.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

EU think tanks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Economic and financial<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Katalys,\u00a0Bruegel<\/a>, and\u00a0Economic Council of the Labour Movement<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0Bruegel<\/p>\n

But the winner of the EU economic and financial category this year was\u00a0Bruegel<\/strong>, a think tank whose work on EU economic affairs has been exemplary. It has carried out rapid and authoritative work on the Eurozone crisis, work that has had a large impact on both policymakers and the media in the EU and beyond. The presentation of a paper in 2014 on the ECB\u2019s quantitative easing programme with Mario Draghi, President of the ECB, was one of a series of remarkable achievements in the past 12 months by this outstanding organisation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

EU social policy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Magma<\/a>,\u00a0SNS<\/a>, and\u00a0CEPS<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0SNS<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was\u00a0SNS<\/strong>, a Swedish think tank, for its work on welfare and the job market. \u201cIts themes are consistent and also influential,\u201d said one judge, who went on to note its especially strong work on the life chances of children and the overall breadth of the organisation\u2019s influence and expertise.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

EU energy and the environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei<\/a>,\u00a0Bruegel<\/a>, and\u00a0CEPS<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0CEPS<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was the\u00a0Centre for European Policy Studies<\/strong>, a think tank which has made a \u201chuge mark on the EU landscape of energy and environmental issues,\u201d according to one judge who also commented that it combined \u201cstrong policy analysis with deep engagement in the Brussels scene.\u201d Its selection of topics was judged highly relevant, especially the work on smart cities. The establishment of the Carbon Market Forum added to the increasingly international profile of the work on energy and climate change.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

EU international affairs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0European Council on Foreign Relations<\/a>,\u00a0Open Europe<\/a>, and\u00a0Fondation\u00a0de la Recherche Strat\u00e9gique<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0European Council on Foreign Relations<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was the\u00a0European Council on Foreign Relations<\/strong>, a think tank deemed by judges to have taken an \u201cearly and bold stand on Russia and Ukraine,\u201d saying that \u201cit understood that Russia\u2019s actions marked the end of the post-Cold War Europe.\u201d Its analysis explored ways to keep dialogue open with Moscow and as a result, it \u201cstood out with its clear analysis and recommendations, and its influence on Europe\u2019s leaders.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

UK think tanks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Economic and financial<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Centre for Cities<\/a>, the\u00a0Institute for Fiscal Studies<\/a>, and\u00a0Resolution Foundation<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0IFS<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was an organisation judged to have had an outstanding year in the run up to the General Election and to have played a important role for the nation in \u201chelping us to understand debt, deficits, Budgets and Autumn Statements.\u201d The\u00a0Institute for Fiscal Studies<\/strong>\u00a0provided a steady stream of analysis and comment that was \u201cto the point about complex and often unfathomable issues, navigating through choppy political waters. It fully deserves the accolade,\u201d and won this award for a second year in a row.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

UK social policy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Reform<\/a>,\u00a02020 Health<\/a>, and\u00a0Resolution Foundation<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0Resolution Foundation<\/p>\n

But the winner was the\u00a0Resolution Foundation<\/strong>, which has stood out this year for its extremely high profile work during the election and for the impact of its research of the effect of policy on those in low paid work. Its ability to combine a sense of moral conviction with technical depth made it the outstanding entrant in this category this year.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

UK energy and the environment<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0Policy Exchange<\/a>,\u00a0IPPR<\/a>, and\u00a0Adam Smith\u00a0Institute<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0IPPR<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was a think tank that enjoys excellent convening power, both domestically and internationally: the\u00a0Institute for Public Policy Research.<\/strong>. It has conducted excellent work this year on the complexity of energy finance and on the shortcomings of wind power. The judges agreed this year that it was a worthy winner, even if some of its reports did have a somewhat \u201cjargon-infused prose style.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

UK international affairs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shortlist:\u00a0ODI<\/a>,\u00a0Centre for European Reform<\/a>, and\u00a0RUSI<\/a><\/p>\n

WINNER:\u00a0CER<\/p>\n

But the winner this year was a think tank which has had a very strong 12 months, setting out the economic case for Britain\u2019s membership of the EU in a year of turmoil for Europe. Its stall of writers and analysts remains excellent producing often innovative output, such as its analysis of the economic relations between China and the EU. The\u00a0Centre for European Reform<\/strong>\u00a0was the worthy winner.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The 2015 award for One to Watch went to:<\/strong><\/p>\n

British\u00a0Future<\/a><\/p>\n

The award was this year given to a think tank that, in the judges\u2019 view is growing in stature and influence through its deep engagement with the immigration debate.\u00a0British Future<\/strong>\u00a0has a nuanced approach and is gaining attention at both ends of the political spectrum.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

UK Think Tank of the Year Award:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The\u00a0Institute for Fiscal Studies<\/a><\/p>\n

And the winner of the UKThink Tank of the Year award, for its forensic economic analysis during the 2015 General Election campaign, is an organisation that for the first time in the history of these awards has won the think tank of the year accolade twice in a row. It has had an outstanding 12 months, and the judges were unanimous that the award should go to the\u00a0Institute for Fiscal Studies.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Worthwhile comments on the awards<\/h2>\n

Transparify<\/a>\u00a0offered an interesting commentary for the night:<\/p>\n

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@prospect_uk<\/a> @ThinkTankWatch<\/a> Happy to see that only one Prospect winner is a confirmed opaquo-phile @onthinktanks<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/cdlqJW0HdP<\/a><\/p>\n

— Transparify (@transparify) June 30, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n