think-tank
Ideas factory group
A think-tank is an organization that conducts research and advocacy on policy issues—economics, defense, social welfare, technology.
Think-tanks employ experts who produce reports, white papers, and recommendations aimed at influencing government and public opinion.
They range from nonpartisan research institutions to openly ideological advocacy groups: a conservative think-tank, The think-tank released a study on healthcare reform.
Nonpartisan policy research institution
- RANDAmerican policy research institution
- HeritageProper name for organizations
- CatoRoman political name
- foundationUnderlying support structure
nonprofit · endowment · funding · donor · grant · independence · credibility · affiliation
Authority over a state
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- lobbyingAdvocating to decision-makers
regulation · governance · public-sector · briefing · nonpartisan · bipartisan · advisory · recommendation
Educational funding or erudition
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- investigationFormal examination of facts
- academiaHigher education community
publication · methodology · survey · experimentation · findings · evidence · analysis · fellows
Arranging for future events
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- roadmapDetailed plan forward
- long-termLasting extended period
geopolitical · defense · forecasting · futures · contingency · preparedness · wargaming · simulations
Companions or associates
- scholarsExperts in a field
- analystsThose who dissect data
- economistsAnalysts of wealth distribution
- specialistsFocused field authorities
intellectuals · pundits · advisors · consultants · commentators · wonks · experts · academics
Forming mental concepts
- incubationDevelopment before emergence
- futurismStudy of tomorrow's possibilities
- technologyApplied scientific methods
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
disruption · solutions · prototyping · entrepreneurship · moonshot · R&D · breakthrough · proof-of-concept
Brookings
Nonpartisan policy research institution
- RANDAmerican policy research institution
- HeritageProper name for organizations
- CatoRoman political name
foundation · nonprofit · endowment · funding · donor · grant · independence · credibility · affiliation · Washington
government
Authority over a state
- legislationOfficial enactment of statutes
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- reformImprove by correcting faults
lobbying · regulation · governance · public-sector · briefing · nonpartisan · bipartisan · advisory · recommendation · initiative
scholarship
Educational funding or erudition
- empiricalBased on observation, not theory
- studyDeliberate learning effort
- investigationFormal examination of facts
academia · publication · methodology · survey · experimentation · findings · evidence · analysis · fellows · monograph
planning
Arranging for future events
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- blueprintDetailed technical drawing
- roadmapDetailed plan forward
long-term · geopolitical · defense · forecasting · futures · contingency · preparedness · wargaming · simulations · doctrine
fellows
Companions or associates
- scholarsExperts in a field
- analystsThose who dissect data
- economistsAnalysts of wealth distribution
specialists · intellectuals · pundits · advisors · consultants · commentators · wonks · experts · academics · authorities
ideation
Forming mental concepts
- incubationDevelopment before emergence
- futurismStudy of tomorrow's possibilities
- technologyApplied scientific methods
pioneering · disruption · solutions · prototyping · entrepreneurship · moonshot · R&D · breakthrough · proof-of-concept · sandbox
think-tankfactory
Industrial production facility
manufacturing plant · action committee · service provider · sweatshop · assembly line
think-tankuniversity
Higher education institution
school · trade school · apprenticeship program · ignorance · rumor mill
think-tankgrassroots organization
Locally-led citizen group
field office · community organization · first responders · relief workers · practitioners