TITLE:
The Role of Think Tanks in Megatrends Analysis and Future Research
AUTHORS:
Berthold M. Kuhn, Dimitrios L. Margellos
KEYWORDS:
Megatrends, Future Research, Think Tanks, Strategic Foresight, Policy Advice
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Political Science,
Vol.13 No.4,
October
24,
2023
ABSTRACT: This paper aims to explore the interconnection
between megatrends analysis, future research, and the work of think tanks.
Policymakers, business leaders, and asset
managers have shown a growing interest in megatrends analysis and future research, which is leading to increased visibility for some
think tanks across countries and world regions. We argue that a growing number
of think tanks are involved in driving megatrends discourses. Think tanks also
make contributions to future research and strategic foresight. Given the lack
of research and statistics on the involvement of think tanks in megatrends and
future research, this paper draws on exchanges and interviews with diverse
think tanks and the consultation of reports of think tanks and a few online publications of scholars and analysts. Eight
short case studies demonstrate different levels of engagement of think
tanks with megatrends and future research.
They confirm the relevance of the topics to the work of the think tank
community even though megatrends and future research have not yet been
introduced as categories for the classification of
think tanks by leading ranking projects.