Have you ever heard of think tanks? They are institutions that bridge the gap between academic knowledge and public policy through research applied to societal problems. The content produced by these research centers—as they are also known—is used to foster public debate on a given topic, supporting decision-making on that issue. 

 

A Brief History

The first think tanks date back to the early 20th century in the United States and Europe, in the context of the Industrial Revolution. They were organizations focused on developing solutions by generating knowledge about social and political developments.

The process of globalization has fostered the emergence and consolidation of these institutions. The end of the Cold War marked a sharp increase in their number worldwide; in fact, half of the research centers in existence today were founded after the 1980s.

 

In Brazil

The first Brazilian think tanks emerged between the 1940s and 1950s. The Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV), founded in 1944, was the first to introduce to Brazil a culture of applied knowledge production focused on solving public problems.

During the 1970s, there was a surge in the establishment of universities, but the first think tanks to emerge were research institutes affiliated with the executive branch, which conducted studies and provided technical support for decision-making.

Since Brazil’s return to democracy, these centers have had greater freedom to set their own research agendas and autonomy in disseminating their findings. In this regard, the media has also come to play a key role in disseminating this knowledge.

These organizations have been gaining a stronger foothold in Brazil as access to information continues to expand. Leaders and public officials face constant challenges throughout the process of designing and implementing public policies; as a result, these centers stand out for offering credibility and trust, playing an important role in disseminating relevant, accessible information while upholding technical rigor.

 

Support for Educational Policies

Think tanks can provide significant support for educational policies by producing studies and research whose findings can guide program design, determine whether programs are achieving their intended effects, and suggest ways to improve ongoing initiatives. The goal is to ensure that the pursuit of quality education is guided by the effective use of the evidence produced.

In this context, the Transdisciplinary Research Center on Education (CPTE) at Instituto Unibanco stands out. The group, composed of researchers and administrators, generates and analyzes evidence to improve public education policies.

The research focuses primarily on educational management and is based on the country’s largest public-private partnership in education, the “Jovem de Futuro” program. Implemented by the Unibanco Institute in partnership with the state departments of education, the program provides schools and school systems with a methodology and tools that support their management efforts.

 

To learn more:

After all, what is a think tank, and why is it important for public policy in Brazil? – ENAP website (March 4, 2020)

What Are Think Tanks? And How Do They Influence Policy – Nexo (December 1, 2017)

Draft entry: What is a think tank? – Draft (April 19, 2017)

 

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