Are you studying or working at a university? Would you like to influence local policy but are unsure how to start? A university-based think tank can serve as a platform that connects your academic interests and expertise with “real-world” policymaking at the local or national level.
Such centers have long been common across Europe and the United States, yet they remain relatively underdeveloped in Ukraine. A think tank offers a unique opportunity not only to apply your knowledge, but also to shape decision-making processes through policy analysis.
What does it take to launch a think tank at your university? This course explores two fundamental components of establishing and running such a center: how to write policy analysis and how to build and manage the organization itself.
This course is unique for two reasons. First, it provides a comprehensive overview of the key aspects of think tank operations — both organizational (team management, project development, communications) and analytical (types of policy papers, appropriate language and style, analytical frameworks and methods). Second, the course design is grounded in the first-hand experience of the School for Policy Analysis, one of the pioneering university-based think tanks in Ukraine. The lectures serve as a practical starter kit — after completing the course, all that remains is to put the knowledge into action.
Each lecture lasts 15–20 minutes and is divided into short, accessible segments. In every session, the speaker provides a detailed answer to one of the core questions related either to analytical work or to organizational development.
The course was developed with the financial support of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine. The Embassy is not responsible for the content of the course.