Formation/Cours

Goals:

This course introduces students to the role of think tanks in EU governance and beyond. It explores their functions, their influence in policymaking, and how they differ from other research and policy actors, such as universities or lobbying organizations. While not aiming to fully prepare students for work in a single policy domain, the course delves deeper into policymaking in three key areas: migration, climate/environment, and foreign policy. Students will critically engage with policy analysis in these fields and will produce a short policy brief on a sub-topic of their choice.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of the role and functioning of think tanks within EU governance and international policy environments. They will be able to distinguish think tanks from other research and advocacy institutions, critically assess their influence on policymaking, and understand the challenges they face regarding independence, funding, and credibility. Students will gain insights into the internal structures and practices of think tanks, including project design, event organization, and communication strategies. Through case studies and practical exercises, they will learn how to interpret policy debates and craft effective, evidence-based policy briefs. Students will also learn about professional and internship opportunities in the think tank sector. The course will also enhance students’ analytical writing skills, enabling them to produce concise and persuasive outputs on complex policy issues in the areas of migration, climate/environment, or foreign policy—preparing them for roles in think tanks, policy research, or public affairs.

Contents:

The course is divided in three blocks/clusters. Cluster 1 explores the origins, functions, legitimacy, and epistemic role of think tanks, focusing on their independence and relationship with evidence-based policymaking. Cluster 2 explains the main activities and addresses the inner workings of think tanks—organizational structure, strategic communication, public engagement, and the pursuit of influence and funding, including the challenges of project management and impact assessment. Cluster 3 moves from theory to practice, providing hands-on training in policy analysis and writing. Students will study and produce a policy brief in one of the three focus areas: migration, climate/environment, or foreign policy.

Class 1: Introduction to Think Tanks
Introduces the role and function of think tanks. It provides an overview of the history and evolution of think tanks; it explains how they differ from academic institutions and other policy actors.

Mandatory readings:

– Enrique Mendizabal, Describing and Comparing Think Tanks (on iCampus)

Philippa Sherrington, Shaping the Policy Agenda: Think Tank Activity in the European Union (on iCampus)

Sven Biscop, Am I an Academic?, available at: https://www.egmontinstitute.be/am-i-an-academic/

Optional readings:

– Hartwig Pautz, Think Tanks (on iCampus)

– Josef Braml, U.S. and German Think Tanks in Comparative Perspective

– Thomas Medvetz, Think Tanks as an Emergent Field, https://www.ssrc.org/publications/think-tanks-as-an-emergent-field/

– Evert Lindquist, Think Tanks and Policy Communities: Analysing Policy Influence and Learning from the Analogue to the Digital Era (on iCampus)

– Jesper Dahl Kelstrup, Methodological Challenges and Advances in Studying Think Tanks (on iCampus)

Class 2: Independence and Public Perception in an age of populism

Discusses the position of think tanks in a context marked by increased populism and lack of confidence in expertise; it examines the independence of think tanks, questions around transparency and accountability, and their financial models.

Assignment:

– Find and analyse a think tank’s mission statement and, if possible, its financial structure.

Mandatory readings:

– Why Everyone Hates Think Tanks The world needs policy professionals. Respecting them is another matter?, Matthew Rojansky and Jeremy Shapiro (on iCampus)

– Think tanks confront the challenge of populism, Stephen Brooks (on iCampus)

– What are think tanks for? Policy research in the age of anti-expertise, Rosa Balfour, available at: https://www.lse.ac.uk/ideas/Assets/Documents/updates/LSE-IDEAS-What-are-think-tanks-for.pdf

– Matthew Rojansky & Jeremy Shapiro, Why Everyone Hates Think Tanks (on iCampus)

– Stephen Brooks, Think Tanks Confront the Challenge of Populism (on iCampus)

– Rosa Balfour, What Are Think Tanks For? Policy Research in the Age of Anti-Expertise, https://www.lse.ac.uk/ideas/Assets/Documents/updates/LSE-IDEAS-What-are-think-tanks-for.pdf

Optional reading:

– Martin Thunert, Waning Trust in (Scientific) Experts and Expertise?, http://epa-journal.eu/download/4.-u.s.-and-german-think-tanks-in-comparative-perspective.pdf

Class 3: Think tanks and Evidence-Based Policymaking

Explores how evidence is used, ignored or distorted in policymaking, and the challenges to rational, data-driven analysis.

Mandatory readings:

– Špela Majcen, Evidence-Based Policy Making in the European Union: The Role of the Scientific Community (on iCam