Research Institutes

NOTE: Specialized research institutes are also found on the Peace, Conflict Resolution, and International Security, American Foreign Policy, Global Environment, European Union, and International Development pages of this site, among others.

Global Think Tank Database andAnalysis

Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program-- At the International Relations Program, University of Pennsylvania, "conducts research on the role policy institutes play in governments and in civil societies around the world... often referred to as the 'think tank’s think tank'... examines the evolving role and character of public policy research organizations... The Center’s database continues to be the only multi-sectoral database of think tanks, consisting of over 6500 think tanks in 179 countries around the world." Produces and posts the unique annual Global Go To Think Tank Rankings report, "based on a worldwide survey of hundreds of scholars and experts," that identifies the major think tanks worldwide and discusses their goals, political tendencies, and influence levels.

Directories and Databases of Research Institutes, Publications, and Experts in International Affairs

Directories of Major Research Institutes Worldwide-- World Press, United States Institute of Peace, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Harvard Kennedy School, Australian Institute of International Affairs

Australian Policy Online-- "Easy access to much of the best Australian social, economic, cultural and political research available online... a news service and library specialising in Australian public policy reports and articles from academic research centres, think tanks, government and non-government organisations."

DocuTicker-- Excellent free U.S. librarian-run service that "offers a hand-picked [annotated] selection of resources, reports and publications from government agencies, NGOs, think tanks and other public interest organizations." Posts archives in many subjects, with daily updates, and sends free weekly e-mail newsletter highlighting recent posts. To access the full archives in any subject, check the DocuBase and its Article Categories.

European Information Network on International Relations and Area Studies-- "Association of research institutions dealing with information and documentation on international relations in research and political practice... to establish a common European database on international relations and area studies." Posts a useful links directory for the major regular publications of its members. Also helpful is the searchable EINIRAS Database Network, "a virtual Pan-European system of databases for international relations and area studies [with] bibliographical data of articles in a common form and structure, but still referred to with different terminologies."

Global Information Access NeT (GIANT)-- From the University of Pittsburgh, three projects: International Affairs Contact Network, a searchable directory of international affairs organizations and experts worldwide; Access International Education, a survey of international education opportunities for underrepresented populations; and the Peace and Security Studies Thesaurus, "to provide a standardized terminology in the field of peace and security studies."

IREON: The International Relations and Area Studies Gateway-- "Product of leading German and international research institutes working in the fields of foreign and security policy and development policy," provides a large searchable bibliographical database of international relations and area studies publications, in various languages. Some items are available in full-text online.

Policy Archive-- "Universal, easy-to-use, free, and open digital archive" with "summaries and full texts, videos, reports, briefs, and multimedia material of think tank, university, government, and foundation-funded policy research." From the Center for Governmental Studies and the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis Library. Requires free registration.

Policypointers-- "Online facility created to enable those involved in government, academe and the media to gain rapid access to the research and conclusions of think tanks, research institutes and government departments around the world." Site posts report titles in many policy areas, descriptions, and links to the reports themselves.

Some Major Research Institutes in International Affairs

• American Enterprise Institute-- "Private, nonpartisan, not-for-profit [U.S.] institution dedicated to research and education on issues of government, politics, economics, and social welfare [whose] purposes are to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism--limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and responsibility, vigilant and effective defense and foreign policies, political accountability, and open debate."

• Atlantic-community.org-- "First online platform for transatlantic debate on key issues of international politics and globalization. Our aim is to end the exclusivity of policy discourse and give voice to a new generation of thinkers and young leaders." Features news, publications, social network, and forum for exchange of ideas.

• Atlantic Council of the United States-- "Promotes constructive U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting the international challenges of the 21st century. The Council embodies a non-partisan network of leaders who aim to bring ideas to power and to give power to ideas." Up to date news and analysis with policy papers, reports, and audio online. Note the policy blog New Atlanticist and online dialogue capabilities.

• British American Security Information Council-- An independent research organization that analyzes government policies in defense, disarmament, military strategy, and nuclear issues. Searchable, with online publications on security issues.

• Brookings Institution-- The oldest think tank in the U.S., seeks to improve the performance of American institutions, the effectiveness of government programs, and the quality of U.S. public policies, including foreign policy. Note both the Foreign Policy and the World sections for international analysis and commentary.

• Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs-- Fine large site from an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit U.S. organization dedicated to research and education in the areas of international ethics, war and peace, global social justice, and religion in politics. Posts a wide range of videos, "research papers, articles, and annotated collections of materials."

• Carnegie Endowment for International Peace-- Conducts programs of research, discussion, publication, and education in international affairs and U.S. foreign policy, and publishes the quarterly journal Foreign Policy. Specialties are "particularly in the areas of Russia and Eurasia, China, the Indian subcontinent/South Asia, globalization, nonproliferation and security affairs." Many publications are posted online, such as policy briefs, working papers, and reports. The excellent Non-Proliferation Project section presents news, information, and analysis on matters concerning weapons of mass destruction. Also note the "Arab Reform Bulletin" and other resources in the Middle East section. The Carnegie Endowment has other centers in Moscow, Beirut, and Brussels, the latter for the EU.

• Carter Center-- A non-profit, nonpartisan U.S. public policy institute founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn. The Center is dedicated to fighting disease, hunger, poverty, conflict, and oppression through collaborative initiatives in the areas of democratization and development, global health, and urban revitalization.

• Cato Institute-- This libertarian U.S. think-tank features a large online library of free policy studies and briefings, some on international affairs, such those of the Center for Trade Policy Studies. Note the Institute's annual Economic Freedom of the World report, free online, that ranks countries on dozens of measures of economic freedom.

• Center for International Policy-- Promotes a U.S. foreign policy that reflects democratic values and a more sympathetic, farsighted, and non-militaristic approach to the developing world. Many studies available online.

• Center for International Security and Cooperation-- Part of the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University and an "interdisciplinary university-based research and training center addressing some of the world's most difficult security problems with policy-relevant solutions." Posts results of its studies in nuclear security, terrorism and counterterrorism, conflict resolution, global governance, and international relations.

• Center for Security Studies-- "At ETH Zurich, specialises in research, teaching, and the provision of electronic services in international and Swiss security policy. An academic institute with a major think-tank capacity, it has a wide network of partners." Note especially the very useful Strategic Trends Analysis, "a community platform on international security and world affairs featuring publications, graphics, and audio and video podcasts produced by CSS." Posts Strategic Trends, "a concise annual analysis of major developments in world affairs, with a primary focus on international security."

• Center for Strategic and International Studies-- Leading U.S. public policy research institution, with many online studies and multimedia resources on country and regional situations and key functional areas, such as international finance, U.S. domestic and economic policy, and U.S. foreign policy and national security issues. Note the publications page for online items.

• Centre for International Governance Innovation-- "Independent, nonpartisan [Canadian] think tank that addresses international governance challenges... supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate, builds capacity, and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements." Site posts blogs and CIGI's research products in many forms. The excellent Library provides full-text access to "over 27,000 books, journals, and digital documents related to global governance, CIGI’s research themes, and Canadian foreign policy."

• Chatham House-- Home of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, this is the UK's foremost, world-class institute for international affairs research and is publisher of The World Today and International Affairs. Posts many briefing papers, reports, news, and press releases on global and regional matters.

• Council on Foreign Relations-- The most influential private organization in U.S. foreign policy, whose ranks include nearly all past and present senior U.S. government officials who deal with international matters, renowned scholars, and leaders of business, media, human rights, humanitarian, and other nongovernmental groups. This excellent site posts Council studies, with much current and archived analytical material online about international relations and U.S. foreign policy, by region and topic. Note the section of the site on Terrorism. The Council's prestigious journal Foreign Affairs has contents and some full-text articles and book reviews online, with archive, plus links to related online resources. The Global Governance Monitor is "a tool that shows how the international community is doing in addressing the most daunting threats that it faces." Public Opinion on Global Issues is "a comprehensive digest of existing polling data on U.S. and global public attitudes on the world's most pressing challenges... [that] consolidates global and U.S. public opinion across ten major issue areas: elements of world order, international institutions, violent conflict, terrorism, nuclear proliferation, climate change, energy security, the global economy, economic development, and human rights."

• Faculty Club-- Of the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, at Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service, a great source of free case studies in international affairs for teaching use. Free registration required.

• Forum of Federations-- Excellent site from an "international network that seeks to strengthen democratic governance by promoting dialogue on and understanding of the values, practices, principles, and possibilities of federalism." Posts many online publications, key speeches, and news articles about federalism, plus the Federations bulletin.

• Freedom House-- Many online studies ranking countries on measures of freedom, such as the annual Freedom of the Press, the annual Freedom in the World, informative backgrounders and other publications, are offered by this nonprofit, nonpartisan U.S. organization dedicated to promoting democracy around the world.

• Henry L. Stimson Center-- Nonprofit, nonpartisan U.S. institution "devoted to enhancing international peace and security through a unique combination of rigorous analysis and outreach." Posts publications in the research areas of transnational threats, regional security, and effective institutions.

• Heritage Foundation-- A conservative U.S. think tank aiming to spread the ideas of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Policy papers online. Note the Index of Economic Freedom, "a practical [searchable] reference guide to the world's economies. It includes country-by-country analyses and the most up-to-date data available on foreign investment codes, taxes, tariffs, banking regulations, monetary policy, black markets, and more,"co-published with The Wall Street Journal.

• Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace-- U.S. public policy research center at Stanford University, on domestic and international affairs, with ongoing programs of policy-oriented research in economics, political science, history, international relations, law, and other disciplines. Note the Hoover Digest, which "offers informative writing on politics, economics, and history by the scholars and researchers of the Hoover Institution..."

• Institute for Cultural Diplomacy-- Organization whose "ultimate goal is to enable, enhance and sustain inter- and intra- cultural dialogue between different cultures... The major objectives of the ICD are to extend current research in the field of cultural diplomacy and create a platform to promote and sustain inter-cultural dialogue at a number of levels." Sponsors seminars and posts much research and blogs on the topic, especially in the Cultural Diplomacy News section.

• Institute for Security and Development Policy-- From Stockholm, "dedicated to expanding understanding of international affairs, particularly the interrelationship between the issue areas of conflict, security and development. The Institute’s primary areas of geographic focus are Asia and Europe’s neighborhood," with many publications online.

• International Centre For The Study of Radicalisation And Political Violence-- Multi-university effort that addresses "the most pressing questions that can help to reduce the occurrence and impact of radicalisation and political violence. Ongoing projects look at how to reduce radicalisation online; improve de-radicalisation programmes in prison; and understand the differences between radicalisation in Europe and North America." Posts papers, newsletters, and projects on this topic.

• Jamestown Foundation-- Nonpartisan U.S. research institute aiming to "inform and educate policy makers and the broader policy community about events and trends in those societies which are strategically or tactically important to the United States." Main emphasis is on terrorism and the Eurasian region. News items, many insightful publications by a global network of experts, and several free e-mail newsletters are available.

• National Democratic Institute for International Affairs-- Nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide, with practical help to promote democratic values, practices, and institutions. Affiliated with the Democratic Party of the United States. Online information about the work of the Institute and problems of democracy worldwide. Note especially Access Democracy, "selected web sites and resource materials...to identify resources, share lessons and communicate best practices for promoting peaceful political change."

• Netherlands Institute for International Relations ("Clingendael")-- The leading Dutch international affairs research organization. "Special attention is devoted to European integration, transatlantic relations, international security, conflict studies, policy making on national and international energy markets, negotiations and diplomacy, and to the United Nations and other international organisations." Posts many fine studies and online newsletter. Note their fine annotated weblinks section.

• Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics-- A highly-regarded, private, nonprofit, nonpartisan American research institution devoted to the study of international economic policy, especially in anticipating emerging issues and offering "practical ideas, presented in user-friendly formats, to inform and shape public debate." Many working papers, policy briefs, speeches, testimonies, and so forth are online.

• Population Reference Bureau-- Excellent for authoritative data and analysis on world, regional, and national population and demographics trends. Features a large downloadable graphics bank of PowerPoint presentation graphics. Note their Annual Report and their annual World Population Data Sheet for "up-to-date demographic, health, and environment data for all the countries and major regions of the world." Search for data and analysis by topic, region, or country. The handy DataFinder has data on "133 population, health, and environment variables for more than 220 countries, 28 world regions and sub-regions, and the world as a whole." The quarterly Population Bulletins on selected topics are very useful.

• Public Citizen-- Ralph Nader's U.S. consumer advocacy group with several international interests, especially at Global Trade Watch.

• RAND Corporation-- A nonprofit U.S. institution providing research and analysis for policy and decisionmaking. Sign up for e-mail notices about the free online RAND Review, with articles and news about RAND research products. Numerous excellent international issues studies are online, so check the online publications page, among others. For a European issues perspective, check the website of RAND Europe, based in the UK.

• Stanley Foundation-- U.S. research institute that is "focused on promoting and building support for principled multilateralism in addressing international issues." Pursues policy initiatives on several major current issues and posts many conference reports and bulletins.

• Strategic Foresight Group-- Based in India, a "think tank engaged in anticipating and influencing the future in uncertain times. It produces scenarios, creates policy concepts and facilitates political processes. It advises governments and business leaders and informs the public on future trends as well as discontinuities." Posts studies on major world and Asian issues and trends.

• Transnational Crime and Corruption Center-- "First center in the United States devoted to teaching, research, training and formulating policy advice in transnational crime, corruption and terrorism...under the auspices of American University's School of International Service." Emphasis on the CIS. Many studies posted online, including access to the survey Russian Regional Report.

• Transparency International-- Transparency International is the "leading global non-governmental organisation devoted to combating corruption." Their many corruption surveys, indexes, and reports rank "the home countries of the payers of international bribes" and rank "countries in terms of the degree to which they are perceived to be the homes of bribe-takers-- public officials who abuse their office for personal gain."

• United States Institute of Peace-- The mission of the USIP is to strengthen the nation's capabilities to promote the peaceful resolution of international conflicts. Institute project reports, briefings, event summaries, and news items are available online, with archives and extensive links on conflict topics. Note the Publications & Tools section. Peace Terms is an "extensive glossary [that] provides short definitions of a wide range of complex and often confusing terms used in the field of conflict resolution."

• Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars-- Offers fellowships for scholars in residence in Washington, D.C., and researches issues of concern to official policy, hosting seminars and conferences, and producing publications and broadcasts. Site has information about these programs and projects, and some of their publications.