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

How to build public support for defence spending in Europe

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform presents strategies for preventing a political backlash. As European governments look to spend more...

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Angels’ delights

This report from UK think tank Centre for Cities argues that geographic differences in equity investment reflects differences in the number of investable firms. Equity...

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Paternity allowance: Six weeks for self-employed and worker dads

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Policy Research assesses the costs and benefits of introducing a new entitlement for self-employed and worker...

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Cooking on gas

This report from UK think tank Onward calls for a change in approach that places greater emphasis on affordability and energy security. The report Cooking...

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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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