Smart Thinking brings together all the research, events and job opportunities from the leading UK think tanks.

We work with think tanks from across the political spectrum, covering the full range of policy areas.

Alongside sharing the latest think tank work Smart Thinking runs the first think tank membership network for those working within think tanks, offering a range of training, professional development and networking opportunities.

Latest think tank reports

Private tutoring 2026

This report from UK think tank the Sutton Trust looks at the gaps between disadvantaged pupils and their peers in the use of private tutoring....

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From investment to outcomes: Capabilities to deliver purposeful public investment in research

This report from UK think tank HEPI considers how to maximise the potential of public spending on research. A new paper by research impact specialists...

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Transport and growth: Reforming transport investment for place-based growth

This report from UK think tank IPPR argues for a shift to a system that asks how we can build more of what already works....

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‘We believe this is the way to do it’: Exploring the City St George’s merger

This report from UK think tank HEPI offers rare real-world guidance from an unusually large and high-stakes merger. City St George’s: HEPI report sets out...

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Training

View our upcoming training courses

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Reports

The latest policy reports
from UK think tanks

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Events

Upcoming think tank events
across all policy areas

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Membership

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membership network

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Upcoming training

People management training

16 March 2026
9.30am – 4.30pm

Are you new to management? Looking forward to the day when you become a manager? Or have you been a manager in a think tank for a while but never had the chance to formally develop your skills? Then this training is for you!

Members £295 (+VAT)
Non-members £495 (+VAT)

Think tank devolution training

24 March 2026
9.00am – 1.00pm

If you are looking to broaden the reach and impact of your work across all four nations of the UK this training session, with PolicyWISE, is for you! We will cover all that you need to know about better engaging with politics outside Westminster.

Members £220 (+VAT)
Non-members £395 (+VAT)

Latest membership news

Fundraising fundamentals training

A full house for our Fundraising Fundamentals training as we took a big group of think tankers through a whole of day of core fundraising...

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New strategic communications training

A brand new training session was run for the first time in December. This training is aimed at those working in the communications teams of...

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Operations Network in-person meeting

Our Operations & HR Network (one of our most established networks) met in-person just before Christmas for a big meeting covering everything from our new...

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