Best U.S. Think Tank Websites

Todd Zeigler Avatar

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Estimated Reading Time: 2 minutes

Summary: In our exploration of top U.S. think tank websites, we highlighted standout designs from institutions like the Aspen Institute, Brookings Institution, Heritage Foundation, Roosevelt Institute, and World Resources Institute, each exemplifying best practices in web design. These sites impressed us with their clean layouts, interactive features, and user-friendly navigation, setting a high standard for digital presence in the think tank community.

As part of my research for a project we are working on, I recently looked at the websites of around one hundred U.S.-based think tanks to see what the best practices are.  All and all, this was an inspiring set of websites and there are a few that stood out.  Below is a list of the five best of the ones I looked at, in alphabetical order.

Aspen Institute

This site has a very cleanly designed homepage, and I really like there interactive top story feature.

Brookings Institute

The Brookings site, which borrows layout elements from the New York Times site, has been the gold standard for think tank sites for awhile in my opinion.  However, I think this same design has been in place for a few years and it needs to be modernized a bit.

Heritage Foundation

The Heritage Foundation launched a new version from the site in the last few days.  The new site is terrific, and in my opinion the best of the sites listed here.

Roosevelt Institute

Probably the most Web 2.0 and contemporary of the designs.

World Resources Institute

Just a really elegantly designed, easy to use site.  Love the details as you dive in.  My second  favorite.