Specialist training courses for those working in the policy and think tank sector
With over four years experience of providing training to UK think tanks and other policy organisations we have developed a comprehensive, policy-centred series of courses, specifically designed to improve you or your team’s professional skills in the core areas needed in a research or policy-adjacent career.
Each of our training courses includes both theoretical and practical activities designed to guide you through the key elements of each topic. You will leave each course more confident, with a greater understanding of how to apply these skills in your day to day job and with ideas that you can action in your role immediately.
Our trainers are chosen for the energy and knowledge they bring to our training sessions as well as deep experience of the topics they teach on. They are also chosen to complement those working in third sector and policy environments.
Upcoming training
Writing for impact (part 1)
19 February 2026
9.30am – 1.30pm
Want to make your writing more compelling? To understand the fundamentals of good writing? Do you work with data but need to practise how to weave it into a narrative? This training session has all this and more.
Members £220 (+VAT)
Non-members £395 (+VAT)
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)
“Over the past 2 years, I have had the privilege of taking part in several Smart Thinking training days, and I can safely say that these are some of the best training workshops out there for think-tankers. I have seen marked improvements in my writing, fundraising, research project-management, and people- management skills, and feel more confident than ever to take on new challenges in the think-tank and charity sectors. There are few training opportunities out there for think tankers in the early career stage, and even fewer that are non-partisan. I would thoroughly recommend giving Smart Thinking a go. There really is nothing like them in Westminster!”
Clara Morrisey, Deputy Director of Academic Outreach, Institute of Economics Affairs
Training Courses
These courses form the core of our training and are aimed at those in the first 5 – 7 years in a policy career although, if you have never undertaking formal training on these topics, they will be relevant and useful to all policy professionals. Each training session consists of distinct ‘skills blocks’ focusing on the core skills to be developed for each topic, with a mix of theory and practical exercises.
Attendees will use examples or projects that they are currently working on to give the training as practical an application as possible and will get a chance to put into immediate practice what they have just learned to consolidate the teaching. Included in all training courses is also the space and opportunity to hear from others in similar roles and to share current best practice.
Media training
Effective media skills are one of the most important skills to develop when working in think tank research or communications. Being able to tell a story, get your message out there and effectively represent your organisation are all skills that can and should be developed. We don’t just tell you what you need to know but we give you the opportunity to practise in real time, so you are ready to go for the real thing! We cover everything from explainer videos to broadcast, radio and TV interviews as well as podcasts.
Writing for impact
A detailed series of sessions that takes a deep dive into the mechanics of writing and style and how you can incorporate data effectively.The second session focuses on the writing process and effectively planning, drafting and editing your work. Our final session looks at storytelling and how to develop your op-ed and blog writing skills. Attendees edit their own writing during the session and also can have unpublished work marked by the trainer for individual feedback.
Public speaking training
A practical session where attendees build on skills and confidence throughout the day with multiple chances to practise. We delve into speaking confidently, controlling your nerves and look in detail at how to construct a speech or presentation. We round off the day with the final block looking specifically at speaking on a panel and handling Q&As.
People management
For those new to management, aiming to become a manager or those who are already a manager but have not had any formal training. Looking closely at managing small teams and people quite early on in their careers we look at some of the fundamentals of what makes a good manager, including making the transition up into management. We then focus on the three core skills you need to build – delegation, giving feedback and performance management and having difficult conversations.
Strategic communications
A two part course for those working in think tank communications. In a fast-paced role there is often little time to think more broadly about whether the current way of doing things is the most effective. These two training sessions are to give comms staff at all levels of experience the chance to think more strategically, to check in with new ways to approach media and comms and to learn from other professionals in the sector.
Fundraising fundamentals
Covering the essentials of think tank fundraising – who funds them, why do they fund, what do they fund; this session also develops practical skills for anyone in a think tank expected to raise money. Activities include how to develop your pitch, what documents you need and how to make the all-important ask. We cover all types of donors; individuals, trust and foundations and corporate donors.
“I found the ST management training much more useful than previous management training I have attended. Rather than spending the day listening to a presentation we had practical sessions that enabled us to put the learning into practice and made the learning much more relevant for everyday management challenges. I came away with a clear understanding of how to improve my management skills and, importantly, things that I could implement immediately.”
Dr Kerris Cooper, Senior Researcher, Education Policy Institute
How can I sign up?
We host at least one training session a month and people are welcome to sign up and book a space on the course individually. We also offer bespoke training sessions for organisations who have a few employees who would benefit from a particular topic. For these courses we work with you to tailor the content so we really focus on your particular training need. If you would like to find out more or have a conversation then please contact Emily at emily@smartthinking.org.uk.
Our training sessions are open to all policy professionals and a member and non-member ticket price.
“Smart Thinking’s in-house media training was fantastic: it was hugely valuable to have a session specifically tailored to us, and Hannah and Emily were really thoroughly prepared and briefed on our mission, our organisation and what we might need. The flexibility to adapt and switch sessions round on the day was particularly useful, as it became apparent we wanted (/needed!) more time on some key areas than others. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day, and left feeling much more confident about landing key messages. Thank you again!”
Sarah Roller, Director of Policy & Public Affairs, Historic Houses