Independently of what is your position on a given policy, think tanks will usually be in favour of it being openly debated
Andrea Ordoñez
Read the transcript:
When I think about researchers collaborating with each other, I like to think of this framework that I’ve used before about whether the goals of a collaboration are the same- whether the strategies are the same.
You can use this to think about collaborations across different types of organisations- and when we’re thinking about think tanks collaborating with each other, it’s mostly about think tanks using similar strategies. In some cases think tanks use the same strategies, or have the same goals, which can yield very fruitful collaborations which can sparkle a lot of joint work.
There may also be times when organisations have the same strategies - they’re think tanks- but they have different goals. In this case, it’s a negotiation to see what is the narrative or idea that will prevail in this space or on this issue. What we see going on between think tanks is that these interactions can be very collaborative if they find similar goals or objectives. But we have to be realistic that think tanks will sometimes be on opposite sides of the spectrum on the types of policy changes that they want to observe, and then there can be some struggle between them. Nevertheless, I think that’s healthy and it’s a matter of also acknowledging it occurs between think tanks.
The role think tank collaborations play in promoting evidence-based policy
I think that when we discuss evidence-based policy that’s one of those areas where the objective of think tanks really is aligned.
Independently of what is your position on a given policy, think tanks will usually be in favor of it being openly debated, of it being based on sound evidence.
This is definitely a space that enables the collaboration that I was just mentioning between think tanks. Where they can really join forces with their strategies of communicating of creating dialogue with different stakeholders and so on.
I think this is one of those spaces where collaboration can really flourish between think tanks.
The challenges
Collaborations between think tanks can work in different levels.
Collaboration within the same national context can be slightly more challenging because there are different policy perspectives.
I think that working regionally or internationally is a really good opportunity for collaborations between think tanks.
In my experience, I’ve built some of the strongest professional relationships by collaborating with think tanks from different countries. That may also be a little bit of a challenge on maintaining these relationships between think tanks because they depend on individuals and them developing that relationship over time. When those individuals leave the organisation, maybe those institutional relationships will not be as strong. One key thing for those relationships to flourish is to find ways to keep the connection at the more institutional level and not only at a personal level.
Collaborations as constellations
I always think about collaborations like constellations. You should not be forced into working with another organisation in a sustained way- it doesn’t have to be an eternal partnership. Collaborations should be these different types of constellations, where a think tank can be collaborating with some on certain policy aspects and with others on others, and then when those are done that collaboration also ends. If you remain flexible, collaborations can be really fruitful if they are really based on a clear objective and a clear goal. Many times we try to force ongoing partnerships, having more structure or rigid forms of partnerships, and those are very difficult to sustain. I work in a network of think tanks and we see this flow of relationships that emerge and I think we should support those instead of trying to sustain a very rigid way of collaborating.
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