Fighter jets. Image from Flickr, courtesy of dvids hub.
ANU Strategic and Defence Studies Centre tops think tank list
The ANU Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (SDSC) has again been ranked as Australia's leading university-based think tank, as well as Top 3 Best Government Affiliated Think Tanks in Australia, and one of the top 10 think tanks across South East Asia.
The Index, compiled by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program based at the Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, acknowledges the important contributions made by think tanks worldwide.
Head of SDSC Dr Brendan Taylor said it has been a quality over quantity approach that has seen the centre rise in the rankings of the University of Pennsylvania’s Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program annual Global Go To Think Tank Index Report.
“We try to provide input into the policy process on issues we feel we know very deeply based on academic research,” Dr Taylor said.
“Our goal is to produce policy-relevant ideas that are grounded in academically rigorous research.”
Dr Taylor said 2015 had been an outstanding year for the centre.
“One of our staff, Dr Stephan Fruehling, is serving on the external advisory board for the Government’s up-coming defence white paper,” he said.
Dr Taylor also highlighted the publication of the Centre for Gravity series as one of SDSC’s key success stories.
“The series is aimed at leading high quality debate on policy issues directly relevant to Australia,” Dr Taylor said.
“It attracted statements from Tony Abbott when he was Prime Minister, as well as the American and Chinese Ambassadors to Australia.”
In 2016 SDSC is celebrating its 50th anniversary. These rankings strengthens its position as Australia’s oldest, largest and highest ranking academic institute for strategic studies research, education and commentary.
Full copies of the 9th Annual Global Go to Think Tank Index Report can be obtained at http://gotothinktank.com/index.
