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

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.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:00 Understanding think tanks04:38 The structure and function of academic think tanks07:53 Funding models: how think tanks sustain themselves09:34 Misconceptions about think tank funding11:58 Maintaining independence: challenges and strategies16:13 Career opportunities in think tanks18:09 Comparing Canadian and American think tanksHosted by Mike Moffatt & Cara Stern & Sabrina MaddeauxProduced by Meredith MartinFunded by the Neptis Foundation https://neptis.org/