Increasing collaboration and connection between think tanks
Smart Thinking’s Membership Network offers its member think tanks the opportunity to collaborate, be part of a community, access training and share knowledge across the sector. We host multiple training sessions, webinars and networking events throughout the year to help build the think tank community and enable knowledge sharing, pooling of resources and peer-to-peer support throughout the sector.
Our membership enables think tanks to pool resources and provide regular professional development for their staff. All training is specifically tailored to the think tank sector, with trainers who have either worked in, or with, think tanks before. Both our training and events programs have been designed so that there is something for you whether you work in research, communications or operations and whether you are a junior researcher or a think tank Chief Executive.
Pricing is based on the number of full time employees. To find out more about becoming a member, visit our ST Member website or email emily on [email protected]
Benefits
- Monthly expert webinars on topics across research, comms and operations
- In-person intensive training sessions
- Member website and knowledge bank
- Salary benchmarking
- Networking events for all staff including CEO lunch, heads of research meeting, bi-monthly operations and events calls and senior comms breakfast
- 15% off all job adverts on Smart Thinking Jobs
- Buddy system to informally build your professional network
MEMBER ONLY
Upcoming training
The in-person training sessions are the only part of the membership available to both members and non-members however, members have priority booking, receive two complimentary tickets to training in their annual subscription and are entitled to a heavily discounted member-only ticket price after that. Upcoming training includes media training, project management, writing clear policy and many many more.
Media training for think tankers
25 April 2024
9.15am – 2.00pm
Our most popular training session! Attendees get a chance to practise press, radio and TV interviews with a working journalist to help them get their message across, avoid difficult questions and build their confidence.
Members £250 (+VAT) Non-members £450 (+VAT)
Media training for think tankers
29 May 2024
9.15am – 2.00pm
Running again due to demand! Attendees get a chance to practise press, radio and TV interviews with a working journalist to help them get their message across, avoid difficult questions and build their confidence.
Members £250 (+VAT) Non-members £450 (+VAT)
MEMBER ONLY
Upcoming webinars
Writing submissions so HMT won’t laugh at you
18 April 2024 11am – 12pm
Prof Tim Leunig joins us to set out the “dos and don’ts” of drafting your submission to HMT and how to avoid credibility-destroying mistakes.
Member only (FREE)
Starting a think tank podcast from scratch
23 May 2024 11am – 12pm
Tom Richmond, founder and Director of think tank EDSK will take us through the practical steps involved in starting a podcast from scratch.
Member only (FREE)
ST membership curates interesting opportunities to connect, share experiences and learn
“We are very pleased to have joined Smart Thinking. This year it has definitely proved to be the best
value of all our memberships. Think tanks are different to other organisations in many ways and Smart Thinking understands that and curates interesting opportunities to connect, share experiences and learn. All the events we’ve attended have been useful and sharply run. A major plus is the variety. People across the organisation at different levels, from our senior management team to researchers to comms, are benefiting.”
Karen Crane, Head of Communications, Green Alliance
Join our current members and access all the latest think tank training and events
