The Secret Life of Think Tanks: Funding, Influence & Careers

The Missing Middle with Mike Moffatt and Sabrina Maddeaux

Ever wonder what people at think tanks actually do all day? In this episode of The Missing Middle, Sabrina Maddeaux and Mike Moffatt pull back the curtain on the mysterious world of think tanks. From how they’re structured and funded, to the challenges of staying independent, they explore what really goes on behind the scenes. You’ll also hear about career opportunities for young professionals, why U.S. think tanks dwarf their Canadian counterparts, and how think tanks influence policies that affect our everyday lives—from housing to poverty reduction. If you’ve ever been curious about the brains behind public policy, this episode is for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:00 Understanding think tanks

04:38 The structure and function of academic think tanks

07:53 Funding models: how think tanks sustain themselves

09:34 Misconceptions about think tank funding

11:58 Maintaining independence: challenges and strategies

16:13 Career opportunities in think tanks

18:09 Comparing Canadian and American think tanks

Hosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina Maddeaux

Produced by Meredith Martin

This podcast is funded by the Neptis Foundation and brought to you by the Smart Prosperity Institute.