This report from Smart Thinking looks at diversity in UK think tanks in 2020.
Today we release ‘Diversity in UK think tanks’. We interviewed people working in think tanks to see what they believed the issues to be and what work was already happening in this space. We also conducted a high level data review of 40 of the top UK think tanks to try and provide a picture of current diversity levels. We provide this analysis as well as some tools and resources to help those interested in this area.
The lack of robust data was the first major challenge. We conducted an internet review of all staff at those 40 think tanks. This is highly problematic because it does not take into account how staff themselves identify and can lead to incorrect assumptions. Whilst acknowledging the dangers of this method it provided some interesting first observations. We also take a look at what and how data could be collected and examples of where it is being done effectively.
Further findings include: