{"id":2850795,"date":"2025-04-18T02:13:25","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T07:13:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/?p=2850795"},"modified":"2025-05-20T08:43:16","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T13:43:16","slug":"chapter-1-what-are-student-led-think-tanks-mission-scope-and-objectives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/articles\/chapter-1-what-are-student-led-think-tanks-mission-scope-and-objectives\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 1: What are student-led think tanks? Mission, scope and objectives"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This chapter defines student-led think tanks, explores what makes them unique, and outlines key questions to consider when establishing one.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Student-led think tanks are student- and youth-led organisations that perform many of the same functions as traditional think tanks, including:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Generating ideas\u202fand\u202fcreating, maintaining and opening up spaces for debate and deliberations\u202fon current affairs and policy-related issues.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Conducting research to explore and analyse key issues and produce in-depth policy reports and concise blog posts.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Hosting events\u202fto engage students and foster dialogue.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Attempting to influence the policy process\u202fby raising awareness, informing and advocating\/proposing solutions<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Capacity building\u202fby designing courses open to interested audiences<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Monitoring and auditing political actors, public policy or behaviour<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">What makes student-led think tanks unique is that they are governed, managed, and staffed by students and recent graduates. They may be affiliated with a single or multiple universities, or operate independently of any institution.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> There are also student-led think tanks at the secondary education level. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">These organisations play a vital role in training future researchers, policymakers, and policy entrepreneurs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335557856&quot;:16777215,&quot;335559738&quot;:280,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">OTT has compiled a <\/span><a href=index-4030.html><span data-contrast=\"none\">database<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> of student-led think tanks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Key questions to ask when setting up your think tank:<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is your mission?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Your mission defines your organisation\u2019s purpose and outlines how it will contribute to achieving a broader vision. A clear mission guides your think tank\u2019s work and helps communicate its value to stakeholders.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"28\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1080,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Example: <\/span><a href=index-3260.html><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Security Distillery<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, run by postgraduate students in security and intelligence studies, aims to distil complex security issues into digestible information.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">What issues will your think tank address?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In parallel to reflecting on and defining your mission, you should work on defining the issues that your student-led think tank will focus on as it will help shape research priorities and ensure clarity in your organisation\u2019s direction.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"34\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1080,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Example: <\/span><a href=index-3217.html><span data-contrast=\"none\">Epis Think Tank<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, a youth-led think tank based in Germany, conducts research on topics related to foreign and security policy.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1080,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:278,&quot;335559991&quot;:360}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What impact do you hope to achieve?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Impact can take various forms, from influencing the public agenda to shaping policy discussions.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"40\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1080,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Example: <\/span><a href=index-3218.html><span data-contrast=\"none\">Generation for Rights Over the World (GROW)<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> aims to influence policy discussions in France and Europe by providing evidence-based recommendations on issues such as freedom of expression and minority rights.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe primary driver of a student think tank is its ability to gather a wide community of enthusiastic and diverse young people, motivated towards the goal of the think tank. Additionally, individuating an important, timely, and niche topic of research or goal is a helpful element for the think tank to establish its impact.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8211; Student Think Tank for Europe-Asia Relations (STEAR)<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWe have been struggling to answer what success means to us because it\u2019s hard to measure impact but also mobilise a student-led team to have a shared vision of success. But I think success would mean building a strong network and being able to influence policy.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">&#8211; Warwick Think Tank<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h4><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Who are your primary audiences?<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A strong student-led think tank needs an engaged audience. Identifying your primary audiences\u2014whether students, policymakers, academics, or civil society\u2014helps refine your outreach strategy.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;335559685&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"o\" data-font=\"Courier New\" data-listid=\"37\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:1080,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Courier New&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[9675],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;o&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Example: <\/span><a href=index-3219.html><span data-contrast=\"none\">Student Think Tank for Europe-Asia Relations (STEAR)<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2019s main audiences are Asian and European students and recent graduates, civil society, and members of the general public, looking to explore the field of cross-continental collaboration and global affairs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This chapter defines student-led think tanks, explores what makes them unique, and outlines key questions to consider when establishing one.\u00a0 Student-led think tanks are student- and youth-led organisations that perform many of the same functions as traditional think tanks, including:\u00a0 Generating ideas\u202fand\u202fcreating, maintaining and opening up spaces for debate and deliberations\u202fon current affairs and policy-related [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"tags":[3563],"class_list":["post-2850795","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","tag-student-led-think-tanks","article-types-research","people-selenge-dima","series-build-a-student-led-think-tank-guide","theme-communications","theme-funding-and-support-think-tanks","theme-governance-and-management","theme-understanding-think-tanks"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2850795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2850795"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2850795\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2851094,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2850795\/revisions\/2851094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2850795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/onthinktanks.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2850795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}