As policymakers and members of the media become more reliant on thought leaders and other opinion-shapers of public policy, a new report from the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy cautions that some of the most influential figures at research organizations have little to no expertise or training on the issues they speak on.

The report, “Edu-Thinker Influence and Expertise Rankings 2024,” ranks think tanks, and individuals working at them, on two measures: their influence and education policy, and their level of expertise. In total, the project examined 30 different think tanks or advocacy organizations and 162 specialists at those organizations. What’s interesting, CEEP Director Christopher Lubienski points out, is that a number of the most influential organizations and individuals really have no knowledge in the areas they’re speaking about.

“Some highly qualified researchers and organizations have very little influence. So the implication is that policy makers, and the media need to be more careful and vet the expertise of those who are giving them advice,” Lubienski said. “Just as we shouldn’t trust the advice of quacks and conspiracy theorists when it comes to our medical care, we also shouldn’t listen to people who have nothing more than an opinion or an ideological agenda when it comes to educating our children.”

While it’s not a guarantee, Lubienski advised that starting with university-based experts and centers, rather than industry-funded think tanks, consultants, and advisers, is more likely to get objective, fact-based analyses.

“Our data show that think tanks often hire people for their media acumen rather than their expertise, and they are funded by special interests who want to advance a particular agenda,” he said. “Look for people with actual expertise: advanced degrees and research experience on a particular topic.  And no matter what, be familiar with who is funding the experts, and — if possible —how much operational autonomy those experts have from those funders.”