For the third year in a row, Think New Mexico has been recognized as one of the top think tanks in the world by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program (TTCSP) at the University of Pennsylvania’s International Relations Program. The recognition came in TTCSP’s eighth annual “Global Go To Think Tank Index Report,” which TTCSP describes as “the gold standard for think tanks around the world.”
Think New Mexico increased its ranking to 56th in the world (up from 57th in 2013 and 70th in 2012) in the Special Achievement category of “Best Advocacy Campaign.” It was the only state-level think tank to make the ranking, among a distinguished list of national and international organizations including Amnesty International, the Pew Research Center, and the Brookings Institution (which was again ranked as the top think tank in the world).
The Global Go To Think Tank Index Report is based on an international survey of over 1,500 peer institutions and experts including scholars, journalists, and policymakers. More than 6,600 think tanks in 152 countries were considered and ranked in a variety of categories based on criteria including the reputation of their staff among scholars, analysts, and media; the quality and quantity of their publications; their ability to bridge the gap between policymakers and the public; and their impact on society.
Think New Mexico is a nonpartisan, results-oriented think tank dedicated to improving the quality of life for all New Mexicans, especially those who lack a strong voice in the political process. It is best known for winning passage of landmark legislation repealing the state’s regressive food tax, making full-day kindergarten accessible to every child in New Mexico, and reforming the state lottery to cut excessive administrative costs and redirect millions of dollars a year into the college scholarship fund.
“New Mexico is so often overlooked that we are gratified to see Think New Mexico included in such a prestigious international list of think tanks for the third year in a row,” said Fred Nathan, Executive Director of Think New Mexico.
“In the world filled with tweets and sound bites that are often superficial and politically charged, it is critical to know where to turn for sound policy proposals that address the complex policy issues that policymakers and the public face,” said TTCSP Director James McGann. “This Index is designed to help identify and recognize the leading centers of excellence in public policy research around the world.”
Think New Mexico’s most recent achievements include leading a successful campaign to enact three constitutional amendments and four bills aimed at streamlining and professionalizing New Mexico’s troubled Public Regulation Commission (PRC). One of them, which enhanced the qualifications of PRC commissioners, received over 542,000 votes in favor—more votes than any constitutional amendment has ever received in the history of the state.
Think New Mexico is currently working on an initiative to improve health care transparency by creating a user-friendly public website where New Mexicans can find prices and quality information for common procedures at New Mexico’s hospitals.
The annual Global Go To Think Tank Index Report provides a comprehensive ranking of the world’s top think tanks. This year’s report was released on January 22, 2015. (The full report can be accessed on TTCSP’s website at: http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=think_tanks
Think New Mexico is recognized on pages 111-112 of the report.)
More information is available on the organization’s website at: www.thinknewmexico.org.