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The Wilson Center Named World’s Best Think Tank in Two Categories

For the second year in a row, The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars was named the number one regional studies think tank in the world. In addition, the Center was rated #1 for institutional collaboration.

The Wilson Center Named World’s Best Think Tank in Two Categories

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Ryan McKenna
Phone: (202) 691-4217
ryan.mckenna@wilsoncenter.org

WASHINGTON – For the second year in a row, The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars was named the number one regional studies think tank in the world. In addition, the Center was rated #1 for institutional collaboration. The results are according to the 2018 University of Pennsylvania Global Go To Think Tank Rankings Survey, which was released today.

“The team at the Center works hard to create excellent products and events,” said Congresswoman Jane Harman, Wilson Center President, Director and CEO. “It is so gratifying to see hard-won recognition by our peers.  We know the need for nonpartisan scholarship and policy ideas is urgent and we are totally committed to our mission.”

The Survey describes think tanks in the “Best Regional Studies Policy Research Center” category as “self-governing, independent of government or university affiliation, and producers of quality research that is objective and unbiased.” The category “Best Institutional Collaboration Involving Two or More Think Tanks” describes an “institution that is able to network, mobilize, and collaborate with two or more think tanks to produce a modest yet achievable set of global public goods.”

“These survey results are honors that independently validate the tremendous range of expertise that is witnessed internally on a daily basis,” said Michael Forster, Wilson Center Chief Operating Officer. “It’s great recognition for all of the experts, scholars, and fellows at the Wilson Center who make it such a special place.”

The Wilson Center also made gains in the overall rankings, moving up one spot to #11 worldwide, while holding steady at #5 in the United States. The Center also earned high marks in categories including transdisciplinary research and international development.

“Today’s news reinforces what we already know: The Wilson Center leverages deep experience in government, academia, and other sectors,” said Fred Malek, Chairman of the Wilson Center Board of Trustees. “Our experts and fellows offer strictly nonpartisan insight – and trusted foresight – in international relations, security and defense, trade, conflict and many other important issues. We are honored to be recognized by our peers in these rankings.”

The University of Pennsylvania’s Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program has produced the Global Go To Think Tank Index annually since 2007, drawing on the input of nearly 4,000 scholars, policymakers, journalists, and funders. It is widely regarded as the definitive resource on the study of think tanks. The full rankings are available here.  

Notes to Editors:

  1. The Wilson Center was chartered by Congress as the nation’s living memorial to President Woodrow Wilson. Through the work of its staff and fellows, it connects deep scholarship to urgent policy questions.

Contributor

 Jane Harman image

Jane Harman

Distinguished Fellow and President Emerita, Wilson Center

Jane Harman, Distinguished Fellow and President Emerita, Wilson Center, is an internationally recognized authority on U.S. and global security issues, foreign relations and lawmaking. A native of Los Angeles and a public-school graduate, she went on to become a nine-term member of Congress, serving decades on the major security committees in the House of Representatives. Drawing upon a career that has included service as President Carter’s Secretary of the Cabinet and hundreds of diplomatic missions to foreign countries, Harman holds posts on nearly a dozen governmental and non-governmental advisory boards and commissions.

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