University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
ScholarlyCommons
ScholarlyCommons
TTCSP Global Go To Think Tank Index Reports
Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program
(TTCSP)
1-28-2021
2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report
2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report
James G. McGann
Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/think_tanks
Part of the International and Area Studies Commons
2021 Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage or retrieval
system, without written permission from the University of Pennsylvania, Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program.
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For more information, please contact repository@pobox.upenn.edu.
2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report
2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report
Abstract
Abstract
Background on the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program
(TTCSP) of the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania conducts research on the role policy
institutes play in governments and civil societies around the world. Often referred to as the “think tanks’
think tank,” TTCSP examines the evolving role and character of public policy research organizations. Over
the last 30 years, TTCSP has developed and led a series of global initiatives that have helped bridge the
gap between knowledge and policy in critical policy areas such as international peace and security,
globalization and governance, international economics, environmental issues, information and society,
poverty alleviation and healthcare and global health. These international collaborative efforts are
designed to establish regional and international networks of policy institutes and communities that
improve policymaking while strengthening democratic institutions and civil societies around the world.
TTCSP works with leading scholars and practitioners from think tanks and universities in a variety of
collaborative efforts and programs and produces the annual Global Go To Think Tank Index that ranks the
world’s leading think tanks in a variety of categories. This is achieved with the help of a panel of over
1,796 peer institutions and experts from the print and electronic media, academia, public and private
donor institutions and governments around the world. We have strong relationships with leading think
tanks around the world, and our annual think Tank Index is used by academics, journalists, donors and the
public to locate and connect with the leading centers of public policy research around the world. Our goal
is to increase the profile and performance of think tanks and raise the public awareness of the important
role think tanks play in governments and civil societies around the globe. Since its inception in 1989,
TTCSP has focused on collecting data and conducting research on think tank trends and the role think
tanks play as civil society actors in the policymaking process. In 2006, TTCSP developed and launched a
pilot project named the global index of think tanks, designed to identify and recognize centers of
excellence in all the major areas of public policy research and in every region of the world. To date, TTCSP
has provided technical assistance and capacity building programs in 85 countries. We are now working to
create regional and global networks of think tanks in an effort to facilitate collaboration and the
production of a modest yet achievable set of global public goods. Our goal is to create lasting institutional
and statelevel partnerships by engaging and mobilizing think tanks that have demonstrated their ability to
produce high quality policy research and shape popular and elite opinions and actions for the public good.
Disciplines
Disciplines
International and Area Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Comments
Comments
2021 Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage or
retrieval system, without written permission from the University of Pennsylvania, Think Tanks and Civil
Societies Program.
THINK TANKS & CIVIL SOCIETIES PROGRAM
THE LAUDER INSTITUTE
1
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
2
3
2020
COPY OF RECORD WILL BE ISSUED ON
MARCH 1, 2021
This copy reflects corrections and edits as of 01.25.2021
RELEASED ON JANUARY 28, 2021
THINK TANKS & CIVIL SOCIETIES PROGRAM
THE LAUDER INSTITUTE
THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
4
“
Helping to bridge
the gap between
knowledge and policy
“
Researching the trends and challenges facing think tanks,
policymakers and policy-oriented civil society groups. Sustaining,
strengthening and building capacity for think tanks around the
world. Maintaining the largest, most comprehensive database of
over 8,000 think tanks.
All requests, questions and comments should be directed to:
James G. McGann
Ph.D. Senior Lecturer, International Studies
Director, Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program
The Lauder Institute, University of Pennsylvania
Telephone: (215) 746-2928
Email: jmcgann@wharton.upenn.edu
2020 Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the
University of Pennsylvania, Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program.
5
2020 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report1
Abstract
Background on the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program
The Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) of the Lauder Institute at the University of
Pennsylvania conducts research on the role policy institutes play in governments and civil
societies around the world. Often referred to as the “think tanks’ think tank,” TTCSP examines
the evolving role and character of public policy research organizations. Over the last 30 years,
TTCSP has developed and led a series of global initiatives that have helped bridge the gap
between knowledge and policy in critical policy areas such as international peace and security,
globalization and governance, international economics, environmental issues, information and
society, poverty alleviation and healthcare and global health. These international collaborative
efforts are designed to establish regional and international networks of policy institutes and
communities that improve policymaking while strengthening democratic institutions and civil
societies around the world.
TTCSP works with leading scholars and practitioners from think tanks and universities in a variety
of collaborative efforts and programs and produces the annual Global Go To Think Tank Index
that ranks the world’s leading think tanks in a variety of categories. This is achieved with the
help of a panel of over 1,796 peer institutions and experts from the print and electronic media,
academia, public and private donor institutions and governments around the world. We have
strong relationships with leading think tanks around the world, and our annual think Tank Index
is used by academics, journalists, donors and the public to locate and connect with the leading
centers of public policy research around the world. Our goal is to increase the profile and
performance of think tanks and raise the public awareness of the important role think tanks play
in governments and civil societies around the globe.
Since its inception in 1989, TTCSP has focused on collecting data and conducting research on
think tank trends and the role think tanks play as civil society actors in the policymaking process.
In 2006, TTCSP developed and launched a pilot project named the global index of think tanks,
designed to identify and recognize centers of excellence in all the major areas of public policy
research and in every region of the world. To date, TTCSP has provided technical assistance and
capacity building programs in 85 countries. We are now working to create regional and global
networks of think tanks in an effort to facilitate collaboration and the production of a modest
yet achievable set of global public goods. Our goal is to create lasting institutional and state-
level partnerships by engaging and mobilizing think tanks that have demonstrated their ability
to produce high quality policy research and shape popular and elite opinions and actions for the
public good.
Disciplines
International and Area Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences
1Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/think_tanks
6