Increasing collaboration and connection between think tanks
The Smart Thinking Think Tank Network was established in 2022 to bring together think tanks from across the UK sector and help them collaborate, share knowledge and pool resources. Within the membership network we now have 7 regular networks, covering every role in a think tank, meeting every quarter. As the membership has grown these networks have developed into established and effective forums for think tankers to have honest discussions about the challenges they are facing in their role, discuss new ideas and offer each other support, advice and recommendations.
Alongside the networks we have developed our own unique training programme that provides both in-person training and monthly webinars specifically tailored to those working in think tanks, with a focus on the core skills that think tankers need to develop and improve. A wide range of think tanks attend the same courses so the networking and peer-to-peer learning continues outside the networks. Our training programme enables organisations to provide regular professional development for their staff.
As the membership has expanded it has also played a more central role in developing resources and other groups useful to the sector as a whole. We now offer members a cross-think tank mentoring scheme, an annual salary benchmarking report, regulation working group, knowledge bank and member website and ad hoc bespoke training as needed.
The membership has been designed so that there is a network, training or resources for you whether you work in research, communications,events, fundraising or operations and whether you are in your first role in a think tank or the 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 emily@smartthinking.org.uk
Benefits
- Monthly expert webinars on topics across research, comms and operations
- In-person intensive training sessions
- Member website and knowledge bank
- Salary benchmarking
- Mentoring scheme
- Networking events for all staff including heads of research meeting, operations network, events network, senior comms network and researcher network
- 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 complimentary tickets to training in their annual subscription and are entitled to a heavily discounted member-only ticket price after that. Our core training topics include media training, public speaking, writing for impact, fundraising fundamentals, people management and strategic communications and we are continually adding new sessions. Find more details on our training programme here.
Writing for impact – marshalling your research and building a narrative
23 April 2026
9.00am – 1.00pm
This half-day training session is aimed exclusively at building and honing the skills of planning your writing and how you can effectively construct complicated narratives. The training will help you to produce clear, efficient and persuasive policy reports and briefings.
Members £220 (+VAT) Non-members £395 (+VAT)
Public speaking training for think tankers
30 April 2026
9.30am – 4.30pm
Do you want to speak more confidently? Do you want to understand more about nerves and how to control them? Do you want to find out more about how to craft and structure a message? Then this training is for you!
Members £295 (+VAT) Non-members £495 (+VAT)
MEMBER ONLY
Upcoming webinars
The real Living Wage for employers
19 March 2026 11am – 12pm
Are you a Living Wage accredited organisation and want to hear the latest updates? Are you thinking about starting the process to becoming accredited and want to find out what it involves? The Living Wage Foundation will be talking us through what all employers need to know about the Living Wage.
Member only (FREE)
How to run your own focus group
21 April 2026 11am – 12pm
Focus groups are an important part of think tank research but can be prohibitively expensive to run. Ben Cooper from the Fabian Society regularly holds his own focus groups to feed into his research and in this webinar will be taking us through how he does it.
Member only (FREE)
ST membership curates interesting opportunities to connect, share experiences and learn
“I really see Smart Thinking as part of our team. They provide excellent training and resources across a wide range of areas, from fundraising to salary benchmarking. They have also created a think tank community that is incredibly helpful both as a sounding board and sharing best practice. Emily does a terrific job in bringing together the think tank community in a way that is accessible, supportive and worthwhile for my team at all levels.”
Theo Bertram, Director, Social Market Foundation
“Our Smart Thinking membership has been invaluable, and we have benefited from the excellent networks it provides, from operations and events to CEO lunches that enable us to connect and share important insights. Across the organisation, our staff have also found Smart Thinking’s programme of training and webinars incredibly helpful and provide excellent value for money.”
Natalie Perera, CEO, Education Policy Institute
Join our current members and access all the latest think tank training and events
