How funder pressures can torpedo the credibility of research: the cautionary tale of Google and New America

With policy recommendations subject to ever greater scrutiny – not only of their viability but also the credibility of their sources of expertise – many think tanks and research institutions invest considerable time and effort into building and nurturing a reputation for research quality and intellectual independence. However, this most valuable asset remains extremely precarious. Till Bruckner recounts the recent case of Google and New America, an example of how a single perceived vulnerability can undermine the credibility of an organisation’s entire research output. There are no easy solutions, but the importance of transparency and a willingness to publicly address one’s difficulties is clear.