Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India

1. Think Tank-University Relationships in India Indian Institute of Dalit Studies New Delhi India Research Team : Anuradha Banerjee, Vinod Mishra, and Nidhi Sadana Sabharwal Research Advisor: Sukhadeo Thorat

2. Specific Objectives Why and How TTS and University develop linkages Understand the nature of relationship between TTs and Universities; Study forms of both way interactions between TTs with the Universities ; Explore Reasons for Think Tank’s involvement with Universities , Explore Reasons why Universities get involved with TTs ,what motivated them ? How such interactions facilitates the quantity and quality of research, 6 How IDRC TT Initiative has enhance the supply quality of research

3. Data Base and Methodologies • Samples - 12 TTs , (9 IDRC and 3 non IDRC) and 4 Universities with 19 faculties. • Secondary sources: Literature Reviews, Annual Reports and other Documents / Policy Documents • Primary data through structured questionnaires for Quantitative/Qualitative Analysis: • Think Tank’s Questionnaire – Part I : ( information about T Ts / Profiling) • Think Tank’s Questionnaire – Part II : (Nature of collaboration between T Ts and Universities ). • University Questionnaire– Part III : (basic information about the University and its association with TTs either by the institution or in individual capacities) • 3. Qualitative Methods: Focus Group Discussions and Face-to-Face Interviews

4. Profile of Think Tanks • Studied 12 TTS and 4 Universities :North , South East and South of India • Found great deal of diversity in their age, constitution, thrust area; faculty strength, and nature of funding. • Started in the early 1950s, continued through the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and into the 2000s. • Set up initially by eminent academicians and few by Govt, • Main functions: Research – (Theoretical ,Empirical Policy); publications, dissemination ; capacity building; and policy advocacy . • Funding source – Broad types : (a) Own endowment /fixed grants for limited period/ projects (b) Annual grants from govt /fixed grants for limited period/ projects, • (c) fixed grants for limited period / projects and ( d) Projects funding only .

5. Profile (contd.—) • Collaborative Universities also vary : • These mainly include : • Central Universities ,( preference ) • State Universities, both are government funded , • Private Universities, and • Foreign Universities . particularly in UK and US,( preference)

6. Nature of Interaction of University faculty with TTs • Involvement by TTs as Institutions with Universities is found in various spheres : • In Governance • Board of Governors • Research Advisory Committee • In Research • Research Projects; • Research Publications; • Capacity Building • Training or Capacity Building of Staff; • Dissemination and Communication • Dissemination activities - Symposiums /Seminars / Conferences / Workshops etc. • Policy Dialogue and Advocacy by Think Tanks.

7. Results : Involvement of Universities in TTs (cont--) • Involvement in multiple spheres –from Board (20%), RAC ( 40%), Research ( 23%) to Publication (14 to 19%) . • Involvement also takes the form of lectures ( 43%) ,Visiting faculty (64%), • Adj. Faculty (32%) and others, WCS ( 55%) • Thus UNV faculty involved as managers , Advisors and contributors ( in research and publication), • TTI benefits from University faculty in governance , in direction of research, actual research and research publication. • Research include joint writing of research project , and joint research project , (173 joint research project during last three years, second after research by own faculty of TTS out of total of 732 projects ). • Then comes the joint publication of books ,and articles. (Out of 281 books ,77 with faculty ,and out of 829 articles 147 jointly with faculty) .

8. Capacity building through, WSC ( 54%) , Visiting faculty ( 64%) Adj faculty ( 32%) and lectures • Human Resource : Many interns later on join T Ts as faculties and PhD students of affiliates University faculty joined TTS . • Thus TTI encourages university faculty involvement as institutionally Benefits in • Benefit in governance, • Research Advise ,agenda, • Benefit from theory , Methods /techniques, • Quality Publication improves, • capabilities of researchers in theory /methods • -Add to prestige /standing • TT linkages with universities-individual • Sharing knowledge /teaching/lecture, Academic ,PhD supervisors, Project advisor and members of Committee - governance

9. Alternatively Why University Faculty develop linkages with TTs- • Inter–relationship seems to be mutual – faculty reach out to TTs to meet their needs as well . • Reasons for faculty to collaborate with TTs • TTs administrative and financial procedures for research projects are flexible ,friendly and encouraging as against the regimented one in universities • Lot more freedomto undertake empirical and policy research and opportunities • , • TTs specialized in policy research in area of faculty’s interest, and social cause • Opportunities for more visibility to research findings due to mechanism for dissemination in TTs ,which lacks in universities • Opportunities for policy impact due to policy advocacy ,-lack in universities • Easy availability of finances arranged by TTS , and by pass competition

10. Reasons for University faculties ( contd.)-- • Exposure to research themes which are of contemporary relevance and cutting edge, as TTs are engaged in the issue of contemporary relevance , • More research output help in improving the research profile at with greater ease . • Often opportunities for PhD students working with faculty for empirical research and later for jobs., • Often courses are developed or modified based on TT research

11. Conceptualizing :TTs- University Relationship Results enable us to conceptualize the relationship at the cost of over simplification . linkages are developed to satisfy mutual needs and urge ,by drawing on each others strengthen ,( and overcome weakness) , it is a relation of cooperation and conversion .

12. Thus linkages between TTs and Universities are developed to meet the mutual institutional needs and individual desire and impulses for both -purposive policy research for social cause , advocacy and sharing of knowledge . Ultimate outcome is more quality research through mutual cooperation Mutual cooperation brings conversion and win –win situation .( Similar to African studies' conclusion) Conversion – setting TTs by faculty outside university, Setting program/Centres in Universities , linkages with TTS is one of them ( Similar to observation made that universities are becoming TTs and TTS in to universities) C

13. IDRC support has further strength this linkages leading to more quality research - -based on 9 IDRC TTI Due to enhanced research capacity – research staff, training, organisational improvement , Improved policy advocacy – capacity enhancement TTI award brought recognition, prestige and standing This is particularly the case for young and new TTI which are engaged in new and Neglected issues .