What types of organisations are involved?

Both the supply and demand for policy research has expanded significantly over recent years as policy is increasingly shaped by the questions 'what works?' and 'where is the proof?'.  No longer is it the preserve of governments and financial institutions.  Organisations involved with policy research include:

• Political party headquarters
• Government departments and local government
• Government related bodies such as the Sports Council who seek to have an input on policy
• Regional bodies such as regional developmentagencies
• Pressure groups or special interest groups such as industry or community bodies
• Think Tanks - there are a wide range of 'think tanks'. Some have specific political affiliations and policy interests.
• Multilateral - Organisations such as the UN and the EU
• Commercial - Larger commercial concerns may conduct policy research on their own account as well as being represented in organisations such as the Confederation of British Industry (CBI)
• NGOs and Charities - As well as carrying out practical work these organisations often maintain significant policy, campaign and lobbying teams to influence governments and politicians.
• Academia  - research here may have a longer term focus but many academics also provide shorter term research on a consultancy basis
• Research Institutes
• Consultancies  - Policy research may be conducted by either specialist policy research consultancies such as the Foreign Policy Centre or as part of a wider range of activities in a consultancy