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Research & analysis, think tanks

Blogs

Research and think tanks

• nef (new economics foundation - economics as if people and the planet mattered)   Latest research: Business enterprise tends to locate itself in better-off areas ('Four times as many new businesses have emerged in the affluent areas as in deprived areas since 2002'). Researchers at nef say that if the government is to 'rebalance the UK economy' it needs to adopt a more realistic view of what the benefits of proposed tax breaks will achieve.
• Mike Baker   Award-winning freelance journalist, broadcaster, and education expert who spent 18 years as the BBC's education correspondent on TV and radio, columnist for BBC and Guardian.
• Centre for European Reform   Pro-European but not uncritical think-tank - receives no funding from central governments anywhere; supported by organisations across the private sector, both pro and not-so-pro-Europe. Interesting papers and blogs...
• CentreForum   Independent, liberal think-tank; aims to develop evidence-based, long-term policy solutions to problems facing Britain.
• Centre for Social Justice - independent think tank seeking effective solutions to poverty (established by Rt Hon Iain Duncan Smith MP in 2004)
• Civitas - provides services for the public (offers primary education for children failed by the school system and unable to afford costly private alternatives); undertakes research and educational programmes to facilitate informed public debate on important issues by producing objective and balanced publications, arranging seminars and conferences to stimulate discussion.  
• Fabian Society   A century old, the Fabian Society has been central in developing left-of-centre political ideas and policy.
• Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr)   The ippr’s research and progressive policy ideas have helped shape the progressive thinking that is now the political centre ground.
• The New Local Government Network (NLGN)   Aims to make local government more relevant and credible to local people.
• NESTA - National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts - an independent body with a mission to make the UK more innovative.
• New Economics Foundation   Independent think-and-do-tank - aims to inspire and demonstrate 'real economic well-being', promote innovative solutions that challenge mainstream thinking on economic environmental and social issues.
• Policy Exchange   Independent, non-partisan educational charity; interested in free market and localist solutions to public policy questions. Has influence with Cameronite Tories.
• Reform   Independent think-tank; produces research on core economic, health, education and law and order issues.
• The Social Market Foundation   Champions policy ideas that aim to blend markets with social justice.
• The Smith Institute -  a leading independent think tank promoting 'progressive policies for a fairer society'. Provides a high-level forum for new thinking and debate on public policy and politics. Carries out research, produced reports, briefings, monographs, events, lectures, education which offer platforms for leading thinking to develop on a wide range of topics. Institute is interested in innovation as well as translating policy into practice. 
• The Young Foundation - works across the UK and internationally, researching, influencing policy, creating new organisations and supporting others to do the same, often with imaginative uses of new technology.
• The Wallace Foundation  - American foundation and think tank that supports and shares effective ideas and practices that strengthen education leadership, arts participation and out-of-school learning.
• MDRC   This American think tank offers you access to an important body of evidence about what works - and doesn't work - in addressing some of society's toughest problems. Particularly, visit the page headed: Lessons from Three Decades of Research. The MDRC works in controversial areas, where public debate can be volatile and is known for its research work in areas ranging from welfare policy to school improvement.

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Blogs

• New Philanthropy Capital blog   Find out how the recession is affecting charities
• More, Different and Better   Excellent blog from NIACE, the adult learning organisation.
• New Philanthropy Capital   A blog from the consultancy and think tank which helps funders and charities be more effective.
• A matter of conscience   A blog by Simon Hampson (Demos) - writing about what we can learn about social justice from the late Jerry Cohen (started 10 August 2009)
• Where’s the mobility in Milburn’s social mobility?   A blog by Beatrice Karol Burks about the government’s new report Unleashing Aspiration (started 22 July 2009)
• They work for you.com   Keep tabs on your parliamentarians and local representatives.
• Extended Schools Programme: Westminster Hall debates    Karen Buck, Regent's Park & Kensington North (Labour) kicked off this blog debate on 22 April 2009.
• School buildings: Westminster Hall debates   Alan Beith (Berwick-upon-Tweed, Liberal Democrat) started a debate on 28 July 2009.
• Guardian education blogs: Mortarboard

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