As someone who has spent time both within think tanks and now works in an organisation that supports and champions them, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about these institutions we often treat as sacred. In a world where the space for free, impartial thinking is shrinking fast, I’ve found myself wondering: what role will think tanks play in the future? A recent strategic workshop helped shift my perspective. It reminded me that there is a way to think about the future of think tanks, not just with concern, but with imagination and determination, and that the road ahead may not be as bleak as it sometimes seems.
The phrase “think tank” was already somewhat flummoxing to many. I have often found it challenging to explain exactly what I do to those not part of policy and legal circles. Now that we are in a world increasingly defined by uncertainty, complexity, and systemic shocks, the question “what are think tanks for?” and indeed “what are think tanks?” takes on renewed urgency. Once seen as institutions that sit between research and policy, many think tanks are now finding themselves stretched, torn between competing demands to produce rigorous analysis, respond to fast-paced political agendas, engage with funders, and stay relevant in shifting digital and civic landscapes.
This makes it the perfect time to pause and ask: what might think tanks look like in the future? What should they look like? And how might we begin to shape that future today?
These were the central provocations of a recent strategic workshop as a part of the recently concluded OTT Conference 2025, that used the Three Horizons Framework—a futures and systems thinking tool designed that helps participants imagine a preferred future, identify what it would take to get there, and understand the starting point: namely, the present. We were also reminded to look for the “seeds” of change already emerging in today’s systems, and to reflect on what existing practices or values we would want to retain as we (hypothetically) move toward that preferred future. The last two are especially relevant for the anxious souls like me, who can often lose sight of what is good and worthy of celebrating.
What emerged was both sobering and encouraging.
The present: A fractured reality
Participants were quick to name what is dominant in today’s think tank ecosystem: lengthy reports that are rarely read, donor-driven priorities (at least in lower- and some middle-income countries), underinvestment in communications, and fragmented internal structures. Southern think tanks, in particular, often find themselves operating in systems shaped by external agendas while grappling with weak access to policymakers and limited global visibility.
Classroom 6 in the GIBS Business School, Johannesburg, suddenly became a representative sample of the think tank space: full of capable, passionate people, but one in which institutions are often overextended, undersupported, and unclear about their strategic value.
The transition: Seeds of change
And yet, within this tough terrain, green shoots are emerging. Think tanks are beginning to experiment with formats, funding models, and internal culture. We heard examples of institutions creating rapid-response evidence tools, producing content in multiple languages, and embracing storytelling and multimedia to broaden their reach.
There’s a growing push for cross-sector collaboration, improved data systems, and more intentional design of research to achieve impact. Crucially, there’s also a rising emphasis on Southern leadership, on making space for communities and institutions in the Global South to define their own knowledge agendas.
These emerging practices, or “seeds,” don’t yet define the system. But they carry the DNA of possible futures.
The future: A vision worth building
Looking ahead, participants articulated a powerful vision: think tanks as trusted, values-driven actors embedded within evidence-savvy policy ecosystems. In this future, knowledge is co-created, diverse, and strategically timed. Equity, sustainability, and justice aren’t afterthoughts; they are central organising principles.
Think tanks in this future world don’t just produce research. They connect sectors, shape discourse, and anticipate change. They are financially independent but deeply collaborative. They use new tools—from Web3 to participatory foresight—to protect and disseminate knowledge in ways that serve the public good. Their impact isn’t measured just by citations or policy wins, but by their contribution to systems change and inclusive futures.
Why this kind of exercise matters
Using a futures framework like the Three Horizons helped us collectively move beyond reactive problem-solving. It gave us a structured way to acknowledge what’s broken, recognise what’s already shifting, and name what we want to preserve or build.
Too often, think tanks are caught in the tyranny of the urgent—chasing the next policy moment, the next funder deadline, the next high-level event. Foresight tools break that cycle. They allow space for strategic reflection, imaginative thinking, and shared visioning.
Importantly, they also surface tensions: between academic rigour and usability; between local relevance and global scale; between being neutral brokers and active advocates. These tensions aren’t necessarily bad—they are the material of institutional evolution. Futures thinking doesn’t resolve them, but it equips us to navigate them more consciously.
What now?
This workshop was not a one-off. It was a starting point for deeper conversations about what we value, what we want to change, and what role think tanks can play in shaping more just, inclusive, and anticipatory systems. The On Think Tanks space can become a
In fraught and polarised times, think tanks have the potential to be more than research producers—they can be connectors, stewards, and catalysts. But only if they’re willing to reimagine themselves, not just tweak the margins.
The future is not all that bleak! But it won’t be built by accident. It’s time to start shaping it—together.
If these questions resonate with you—about the future of think tanks, their role in society, and how we navigate complexity together—we invite you to continue the conversation. On Think Tanks is a space for reflection, learning, and exchange across the global think tank community. Join us there to share your perspectives, explore emerging ideas, and co-create the future of this field.