OTT Podcast

In a rapidly shifting political landscape, how can think tanks continue to provide independent, evidence-based policy advice? What happens when international funding declines, domestic support remains uncertain, and democratic pressures intensify?

In this episode, we speak with Karolina Wigura, co-founder and board member of Kultura Liberalna, one of Poland’s leading think tanks. Drawing from over a decade of leadership, she reflects on the major transformations in the think tank ecosystem, the challenges of sustaining independent research, and the role of liberal thought in a country often associated with conservatism.

Karolina describes the origins of Kultura Liberalna: a tradition of “home seminars” which promote intellectual reflection and inter-generational progress. This origin is shared with the oldest think tank in existence (the Royal Society of Arts) and the earliest Latin American think tanks (Societies of Patriots set up at the end of the 1700s, before the independent process). 

Join us as we explore the strategic choices, successes, and hard lessons from running a think tank in a changing Europe—unpacking what the future holds for these vital institutions.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

To know more about Kultura Liberalna and the information discussed during this podcast, please visit: https://kulturaliberalna.pl/2018/02/27/kuisz-wigura-wywiad-jerzy-jedlicki/ 

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OTT Talks is a platform to share learning among think tanks, funders and other policy actors on a range of topics from think tank governance to communicating research. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

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About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/

How have think tanks in Southern and Eastern Europe adapted to shifting political landscapes, evolving funding models, and growing challenges to policy influence?

In this episode, Vessela Tcherneva, Deputy Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), talks about the transformation of think tanks in the region over the past decade. From navigating political uncertainty to sustaining independent research, Vessela shares key insights from her leadership experience. She also talks about broader European trends in thinktanking, somewhat more diverse than in the continent's south and east. Through this conversation, we have the opportunity to explore the personal side of running a think tank—what keeps leaders motivated, the toughest challenges they face, and what the future holds for policy institutions in an era of disruption.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

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OTT Talks is a platform to share learning among think tanks, funders and other policy actors on a range of topics from think tank governance to communicating research.

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

-------------------------------------

About OTT: 

OTT is a global consultancy and platform for change. We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision-making.

Through our consultancy work, we develop tailored solutions to specific challenges. With services spanning research, learning facilitation, strategy and evaluation, we partner with organisations to drive evidence-informed change. 

Through On Think Tanks, we build, nurture and support a global community of people working in, with, and funding think tanks. On Think Tanks is a space to connect, learn and exchange knowledge, ideas and resources.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org

-------------------------------------

About On Think Tanks:

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/

Support us:

https://onthinktanks.org/support

In a region where democracy faces growing challenges and international funding is diminishing, how can think tanks remain independent, impactful, and relevant?

In this episode, Péter Krekó, Director of the Political Capital Institute in Hungary, shares insights into the evolving role of think tanks in Central and Eastern Europe. We discuss how think tank leaders navigate shrinking donor support, increasing political pressures, and the inconsistent demand for evidence-based policy advice.

Join us as we uncover the strategic decisions, successes, and challenges of running a think tank in a changing Europe, and explore the critical role these institutions play in shaping policy in uncertain times.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

------------------------------------

OTT Talks is a platform to share learning among think tanks, funders and other policy actors on a range of topics from think tank governance to communicating research.

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

-------------------------------------

About OTT: 

OTT is a global consultancy and platform for change. We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision-making.

Through our consultancy work, we develop tailored solutions to specific challenges. With services spanning research, learning facilitation, strategy and evaluation, we partner with organisations to drive evidence-informed change. 

Through On Think Tanks, we build, nurture and support a global community of people working in, with, and funding think tanks. On Think Tanks is a space to connect, learn and exchange knowledge, ideas and resources.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org

-------------------------------------

About On Think Tanks:

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/

Support us:

https://onthinktanks.org/support

In an era marked by political shifts, economic transitions, and changing donor landscapes, how do think tanks in the Western Balkans remain relevant and impactful? 

This is a bonus episode with Sonja Stojanovic-Gajic, former director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy. Listen to the full episode here.

------------------------------------

OTT Talks is a platform to share learning among think tanks, funders and other policy actors on a range of topics from think tank governance to communicating research.

-------------------------------------

About OTT: 

OTT is a global consultancy and platform for change. We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision-making.

Through our consultancy work, we develop tailored solutions to specific challenges. With services spanning research, learning facilitation, strategy and evaluation, we partner with organisations to drive evidence-informed change. 

Through On Think Tanks, we build, nurture and support a global community of people working in, with, and funding think tanks. On Think Tanks is a space to connect, learn and exchange knowledge, ideas and resources.

-------------------------------------

About On Think Tanks:

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Support us:

https://onthinktanks.org/support

In an era marked by political shifts, economic transitions, and changing donor landscapes, how do think tanks in the Western Balkans remain relevant and impactful? 

This episode with Sonja Stojanovic-Gajic, former director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, dives into the unique challenges and opportunities facing policy institutions in the Balkans region. From navigating democratic backsliding to adapting to reduced international funding, we explore how think tank leaders are innovating, building trust, and shaping the future of policy in a rapidly evolving world.

------------------------------------

OTT Talks is a platform to share learning among think tanks, funders and other policy actors on a range of topics from think tank governance to communicating research.

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/

-------------------------------------

About OTT: 

OTT is a global consultancy and platform for change. We support and strengthen the work of research organisations, foundations, governments and non-governmental organisations in support of better-informed decision making.

Through our consultancy work, we develop tailored solutions to specific challenges. With services spanning research, learning facilitation, strategy and evaluation, we partner with organisations to drive evidence-informed change. 

Through On Think Tanks we build, nurture and support a global community of people working in, with, and funding think tanks. On Think Tanks is a  space to connect, learn and exchange knowledge, ideas and resources.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org

-------------------------------------

About On Think Tanks:

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

Read more:

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/

Support us:

https://onthinktanks.org/support

In this episode of OTT Talks, we explore the unique model of student-led think tanks and how the Building for the Future Initiative supports them through grants, capacity-building, and the facilitation of the exchange of ideas through multi-regional events. Join us to hear about the importance of multi-regional events in bringing fresh perspectives to European policy-making, including examples of successful cross-cultural ideas in action.

Can small and mid-sized think tanks survive the mounting challenges they're facing and the increasing costs of overcoming them? OTT Talks to Simon Maxwell about alternative think tank models and markets.

OTT Talks to Dana Schmidt, Programme Director at Echidna Giving about her role - the skills and values needed to be a funder, the power dynamics between grantees and funders, and the personal impact of the role.

OTT Talks to Liliana Alvarado, Executive Director of Mexican think tank Ethos, on what happens when think tanks have to take on a government watchdog role.

OTT Talks to Dr. Damien King, Executive Director of the Caribbean Policy Research Institute (CAPRI), to explore the think tank sector in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region.

OTT Talks to Dr. Abraham Ibn Zackaria, Deputy Director of Research in the Parliament of Ghana, shedding light on how evidence is used in Ghanaian policymaking.

[Please note that the sound quality in this episode is not optimal. Nonetheless, we believe the insights shared by Dr. Zackaria make it well worth listening to!]

OTT Talks to Grant Dalton, researcher at the Institute for Government (IFG), a leading British think tank, about the findings of a diversity and inclusion sector report he co-authored and published last year.

Guests: Kuranda Morgan, Evidence Lead in the evidence and experimentation team at Nesta; Mohammed Awal, Team Leader - social accountability and SDGs workstream at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development; and Abeba Taddese, Senior Program Director - evidence for decision making at Results for Development.

On Think Tanks Director, Enrique Mendizabal talks to David Sasaki, Program Officer at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation about the need for more accountability in the philanthropic sector; what the job involves; and what it takes to do it well. 

Luis Orlandi, OTT Growth Manager, talks to Enrique Mendizabal, Founder and Director of OTT, about the challenges and opportunities for think tank fundraising.

Julia Pomares, Chief Advisor to the Government of the City of Buenos Aires and former CIPPEC Executive Director, talks to Emily Hayter, OTT Associate, about the shift from generating to using evidence and share recommendations to inform decision-making.

Estefanía Chavert, Head of Programmes at Southern Voice, talks to Enrique Mendizabal, Founder and Director of OTT, about her recent article “The Covid-19 Pandemic as an Opportunity for Leveraging Global South Research and Knowledge”.

Read the full article: https://bulletin.ids.ac.uk/index.php/idsbo/article/view/3173/3210

To celebrate International Youth Day, OTT Talks to Ibrahim Faruk from Yiaga Africa and the ‘Not too young to run’ movement in Nigeria, and Neringa Tumėnaitė, from  Humanity Consulting about how youth can shape and participate in politics and change. The conversation is hosted by Cristina Bacalso.

In this new OTT Talks, Joe Miller, Director of Soapbox Washington Studio, talks to Louise Ball, OTT Communications Director, about his new book Screens, research and hypertext.

Enrique Mendizabal, OTT Founder and Director, talks to Irene Pingkan Umboh from RTI International and Widjajanti Isdijoso from SMERU Research Institute. They look back over the last 10 years of the Knowledge Sector Initiative’s support to 16 think tanks in Indonesia.