What is a Think Tank and What is SIC Doing to Help?
What on earth is a think tank, we hear you ask? Thank you for asking.
A think tank is when a group of people come together and ‘think’ topics through by discussing them to improve social issues. It’s a place where perspectives are expressed, opinions are debated and ideas are challenged with the goal of finding solutions to the problems discussed.
You can find think tanks of all kinds as there are many problems in the world that need solutions. As there are many kinds, this means they can all be run in different ways, but the principle of them is the same… finding ideas to influence social change and impact. By getting a group of people from different backgrounds together in a supportive environment, it’s easier to find creative solutions and ideas to problems.
New ideas bring social change and members of a think tank will often research problems to help generate them. Think tanks also publish reports and research, which helps better inform policy decisions.
The best think tanks are proactive and face problems before they even arise. Solutions are found for potential problems, so when issues crop up, research is there for policymakers to use as a guide, as well as possible solutions.
SIC’s Disability Think Tank
Once a month, we are hosting an online Disability Think Tank event to bring together and welcome people from all backgrounds to discuss the issues that disabled and chronically ill people face in the workplace and in their careers. It doesn’t matter who you are—if you care about the same mission and issues, we want you there!
Attending a SIC Think Tank is an opportunity to listen to an array of perspectives from a diverse group of people with various life experiences and knowledge. Each month there will be a different topic or question to discuss, and afterwards, there will be collective actions people can take based on the discussions. This is a safe space, where people’s suggestions will be kept anonymous to create an environment where people feel comfortable and supported to share.
Our first Disability Think Tank took place in October and the topic was: ‘How to Encourage Meaningful Conversations’. Our second topic in the November Disability Think Tank was ‘Can you say Disabled? Language and empowerment in the workplace’.
These topics were explored through guided discussions in breakout rooms, shared insights, knowledge and lived experience, and of course, action points to take away and implement as individuals and organisations.
We are looking forward to our next Disability Think Tank in January where the topic will be, ‘Challenging Companies to Create Change’.
As with the first two events, all attendees will receive a free research summary, full of contemporary, leading research on disability and the workplace from sources and organisations across the UK, all in one document for ease of reference and written in a way that is accessible for all levels of understanding.
Discussions within the disabled community should be accessible for all—this is why we have the option to attend this event free of charge. However, any contribution made through supporting our paid ticket tiers would be massively appreciated.
Our ticket prices are:
Free
£3
£8
£12 (we recommend this tier for business professionals and employers to enable us to fund the work we do at SIC, to read more about our mission, click here)
To see our ticket prices in more detail, click here for our Eventbrite page.
This event is currently available for sponsorship! If your company is interested in marketing directly to our community and showing that your organisation takes action on disability and inclusion, please get in touch with us by emailing partnerships@sicofficial.co.uk.
Everyone is welcome, and we invite you to support our mission in closing the disability employment gap and provide support and training to disabled and chronically ill people.
We hope to see you there on 17th January, and beyond!
