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This video is available to everyone as a limited-time preview of the OTT Membership. For complete access to recordings of past masterclasses, Q&A sessions, and more resources, join now: patreon.com/onthinktanks In our first-ever Think Tank Leader Q&A, Enrique Mendizabal sat down with Liliana Alvarado, Executive Director of Ethos in Mexico, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about leadership, funding shocks, and what it really takes to measure impact as a think tank. Liliana covers a lot of ground — from her early days at Mexico's Ministry of Finance and her Chevening scholarship at LSE, to becoming the first female and first Mexican Executive Director of Ethos after an open recruitment process in 2021. What makes this conversation particularly valuable is how candid she is about the hard parts: managing funding volatility, making difficult programme cuts, looking after staff wellbeing through uncertainty, and reinventing an organisation's focus mid-stream. Some highlights from the session: Why government experience makes think tankers more effectiveLeading through major funding shocks and political changeThe hard choice to scale back anti-corruption work due to lack of fundingDiversifying funding through Mexico's private sectorPractical ways to measure impact beyond policy changeWhat she would do differently — and what keeps her going

In this OTT Talks episode, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski return for a conversation on European foreign policy think tanks with guest Monika Sie Dhian Ho, former General Director of the Clingendael Institute. She compares the Dutch context to the famous Italian novel Il Gattopardo (The Leopard), describing a domestic “Zeitenwende” marked by the rise of culturally polarising parties, renewed socio-economic insecurity since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and persistent difficulties crafting migration policy that addresses cumulative societal effects. Monika explains how foreign policy think tanks have had to engage wider publics through survey research and nationwide dialogues, defend independence and evidence-based work amid polarisation and framing attacks, and balance public opinion evidence with research evidence. She also discusses building regional language-and-culture centres, increasing methodological rigour, investing ahead of funding curves, diversified project-based financing, facilitating field research in high-risk regions, and future challenges including AI and greater politicisation of the sector. About OTT Talks: OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more. About On Think Tanks:  On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will help think tanks make short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

OTT Talks returns with co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski, in conversation with Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali in Rome and former adviser to the EU High Representative. Nathalie likens today’s European context to “One Battle After Another,” describing interconnected external and internal challenges, from the war in Ukraine and wider conflicts to threats to liberal democracy, including pressures from Putin’s Russia, Trump’s America, and Europe’s own nationalist-populist forces. She reflects on how foreign policy and think tank work have shifted since 1999 toward a more crowded, public, less specialised space, arguing impact comes more from framing questions than issuing recommendations. Nathalie contrasts national and EU-level influence, outlines think tank leadership priorities—strategy, funding, management, mentoring, and visibility—and discusses shrinking core funding alongside well-endowed illiberal institutions. About OTT Talks: OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more. About On Think Tanks:  On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will help think tanks make short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

In this episode of OTT Talks, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski speak with Dr Rosa Balfour, Director of Carnegie Europe, about how Europe’s successive crises since the 2008 financial crash—through the Arab Spring, Crimea, Brexit, and Trump—have reshaped the foreign policy landscape and the role of think tanks. Rosa describes Brussels as a more process-driven but increasingly closed policy ecosystem, contrasts it with more politically aligned national capitals, and explains the leadership demands of running a pan-European think tank: thought leadership, fundraising, visibility, and supporting staff across multiple capitals. She discusses the tension between 24/7 commentary and deep research, the responsibility to contribute to public debate (including in smaller countries), the funding constraints facing European think tanks, and the growing but still limited mainstream influence of radical-right think tank ecosystems such as Hungary’s MCC. This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. You can listen to the whole series here. Tune in, and visit Carnegie Europe to learn more about what was discussed during this podcast. About OTT Talks: OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more. About On Think Tanks:  On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will help think tanks make short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

In this OTT Talks episode, Enrique Mendizabal speaks with Ivor Chipkin, co-founder and director of South Africa’s New South Institute, shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Public Service Amendment Act 2025. Chipkin explains how, since 1994, political leaders have held extensive control over public service appointments and operations as a workaround for governing under inherited apartheid-era administrations, but this politicisation later contributed to declining performance, corruption, and “state capture,” with uneven effects across institutions. The new act aims to demarcate politics from administration by shifting key administrative powers to department heads, while politicians set policy and provide oversight, aligning South Africa with civil service reforms seen elsewhere. Chipkin describes NSI’s long-term advocacy and alliance-building from the 2022 reform opening to the 2024 coalition-era shift, and highlights implementation risks, monitoring needs, and the importance of patient funding.

Recorded live at the OTT Conference 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, this special edition of OTT Talks brings you the keynote speeches from the 10th edition of the conference. In an era marked by democratic uncertainty, technological disruption and geopolitical instability, do think tanks still matter? In this keynote from the OTT Conference 2026, Rosa Balfour reflects on the growing pressures facing think tanks — from the transformation of the information ecosystem and declining trust in institutions to funding challenges and global geopolitical upheaval. She argues that think tanks continue to play a critical role as bridges between policymakers and society, while calling for greater clarity of purpose, stronger communities of practice and more meaningful public engagement. Explore more insights from the OTT Conference 2026: https://onthinktanks.org/ott-conference-2026/ Become an On Think Tanks member: https://onthinktanks.org/membership/

Recorded live at the OTT Conference 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, this special edition of OTT Talks brings you the keynote speeches from the 10th edition of the conference. How can think tanks remain trustworthy institutions in increasingly polarised political environments? In this keynote from the OTT Conference 2026, Héctor Cárdenas reflects on the relationship between evidence, storytelling and trust. Drawing on COMEXI’s experience in Mexico, he explores how think tanks can navigate political pressures, fragmented audiences and institutional tensions while remaining credible, pluralistic and grounded in evidence. From strategic communication and public engagement to government relations and organisational identity, this session offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means for knowledge to matter in today’s policy debates. Explore more insights from the OTT Conference 2026: https://onthinktanks.org/ott-conference-2026/ Become an On Think Tanks member: https://onthinktanks.org/membership/

Recorded live at the OTT Conference 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, this special edition of OTT Talks brings you the keynote speeches from the 10th edition of the conference. Who are think tanks ultimately accountable to? In this keynote from the OTT Conference 2026, Denis Foretia examines the complex relationship between legitimacy, independence and trust in African policy research organisations. Drawing on the experience of the Denis & Lenora Foretia Foundation in Cameroon, he reflects on the tensions between governments, funders and citizens — and argues that genuine legitimacy must be earned locally, not borrowed internationally. Through personal stories and institutional lessons, Denis explores what it takes to build trust with the communities think tanks claim to serve. Explore more insights from the OTT Conference 2026: https://onthinktanks.org/ott-conference-2026/ Become an On Think Tanks member: https://onthinktanks.org/membership/

Recorded live at the OTT Conference 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, this special edition of OTT Talks brings you the keynote speeches from the 10th edition of the conference. What happens to think tanks when artificial intelligence can produce analysis in seconds? In this keynote from the OTT Conference 2026, Erica explores how AI is reshaping the production of knowledge and what this means for policy research organisations. While AI can dramatically expand analytical capacity, she argues that the most valuable forms of knowledge still emerge through human encounter, judgement and relationships built around shared stakes and difficult decisions. The session reflects on trust, expertise, institutional value and the future role of think tanks in an AI-mediated world. Explore more insights from the OTT Conference 2026: https://onthinktanks.org/ott-conference-2026/ Become an On Think Tanks member: https://onthinktanks.org/membership/

Recorded live at the OTT Conference 2026 in Rabat, Morocco, this special edition of OTT Talks brings you the keynote speeches from the 10th edition of the conference. In his welcoming remarks at the OTT Conference 2026 in Rabat, Karim El Aynaoui, Executive Director of the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), reflected on the role think tanks can play in addressing global imbalances and strengthening public policy ecosystems. Karim explored the importance of talent development, public service, and evidence-informed policymaking, while highlighting the need to rebalance global narratives and create greater space for perspectives from the Global South. He argued that think tanks have a responsibility not only to produce research, but also to nurture future leaders, contribute to more inclusive international debates, and build partnerships that turn ideas into action. His remarks set the tone for the conference’s wider discussions on trust, legitimacy, knowledge production and the evolving role of think tanks in a rapidly changing world. Explore more insights from the OTT Conference 2026: https://onthinktanks.org/ott-conference-2026/ Become an On Think Tanks member: https://onthinktanks.org/membership/

In this OTT Talks episode, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski interview Scarlett Varga, Secretary General of Bruegel, about how an economic think tank navigates Europe’s shifting political and economic context. Scarlett argues that “neutrality” is contested: Bruegel defines neutrality as openness to engage across the spectrum while disclosing biases and values, and she discusses the challenge of engaging radical-right or MAGA-adjacent actors without enabling shouting-match platforms. She describes Brussels/EU as akin to The Grand Budapest Hotel—charming yet chaotic—and reflects on Bruegel’s adaptability during crises through flagship outputs, a strong research culture, and a diversified funding model. The conversation also covers membership-based governance, tensions over independence, growth, and advice to aspiring think tankers: only do the work if you truly believe in it. This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. You can listen to the whole series here. Tune in, and visit bruegel.org to learn more about what was discussed during this podcast. About OTT Talks: OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more. About On Think Tanks:  On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will help think tanks make short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

In this episode, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski interview Mario Holzner, Executive Director of the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw), about conducting economic research on Central, East and Southeast Europe from Vienna amid shifting geopolitical and media environments. Mario describes the region’s historical heterogeneity and wiiw’s pragmatic, plural intellectual tradition, including scepticism toward purely supply-side transition policies and attention to demand, social impacts, and industrial policy. He explains how austerity and inflation eroded core public subsidies—traditionally from Austria’s Ministry of Finance, the central bank, Vienna, and social partners—driving greater reliance on project funding from the European Commission, international organisations, and, increasingly, foundations. The discussion covers pressures from partisan think tanks and polarised media, wiiw’s data-driven approach, expanded communications capacity, networked EU consortia, digital transformation, and the importance of independent analysis in a fragmented policy space. This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. You can listen to the whole series here. Learn more about the wiiw and the information discussed during this podcast. About OTT Talks: OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more. About On Think Tanks:  On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks in making short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

In this episode, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski interview Richard Durana, co-founder and director of INESS (Institute of Economic and Social Studies) in Slovakia. Richard describes his move from chemistry to economics and how INESS has operated for two decades in a largely hostile, left-leaning political environment, emphasising both policy advocacy and public education. He compares Slovakia’s post-communist trajectory to the film Rocky, citing early-2000s reforms, foreign investment, and later decline amid higher taxes and unpredictability. He outlines INESS’s methods—media engagement, journalist briefings, large-scale education programs like the Economics Olympiad, and projects such as Price of the State and the Bureaucracy Index—alongside a fundraising strategy built on donor diversity, local institutional support, and zero government funding. This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. You can listen to the whole series here. Learn more about the INESS and the information discussed during this podcast. About OTT Talks: OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more. About On Think Tanks:  On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will help think tanks make short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.

In this episode of OTT Talks, Enrique Mendizabal hosts David Watson, former Director of Communications at Chatham House and seasoned UK policymaker, in a conversation exploring David’s extensive background in government and think tanks. David reflects on his experiences within the UK government, emphasising the role of evidence in policy-making and the impact of think tanks. He discusses the differences between political roles and civil service roles and the importance of people’s lived experiences. The conversation also delves into the disconnection between think tank research and real-time policy-making. David shares his efforts to make think tanks more outward-looking and strategic with their interventions to influence policy processes. He talks about his work at ODI Global and Chatham House, emphasising the significance of strategic communications to cut through the noise and achieve corporate objectives. Finally, David addresses the evolving landscape of think tanks, the importance of being purposeful, and the challenges of producing diverse content to remain relevant in today’s fast-paced information environment. --- OTT Talks is a platform to share learning among think tanks, funders and other policy actors on a range of topics from think tank governance to communicating research.  Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ Support us: https://onthinktanks.org/support/

OTT Talks: Think tanks in a changing Europe is back for season 4. In the opening episode, co-hosts Enrique Mendizabal and Goran Buldioski speak with  Petra Reszkető, Co-Director and Senior Researcher at the Budapest Institute, about leading an independent, project-based economic think tank in Hungary’s “illiberal democracy.” Petra outlines the challenges faced by the Budapest Institute, including limited and opaque government engagement, the emergence of quasi-governmental bodies and conflicting narratives, deteriorating access to and quality of public data, and the political risks associated with public participation. The conversation details the Institute's strategic pivot toward selective domestic engagement, collaboration with local actors, and an explicit regional focus. This regional work is supported by partnerships and projects with organisations such as the European Commission, the OECD, and the ILO. Key discussion points also cover the Institute's tender-driven business model, the difficulty of implementing post-evaluation changes, staff retention issues, and the critical importance of integrity, consistency, and robust contingency planning. This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. You can listen to the whole series here. Learn more about the Budapest Institute and the information discussed during this podcast. --- About OTT Talks: OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. Learn more. About On Think Tanks:  On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues relevant to think tanks, their staff, and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks in making short- and long-term decisions more strategically, resulting in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. Learn more & support us.