Source description last updated: 2 May 2023

In brief: Chatham House (also known as the Royal Institute of International Affairs) is a non-profit policy think tank focusing on international affairs. It is based in London (UK).

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Selected research papers, expert comments

No regular coverage.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

Founded in 1920 (Chatham House website: Our history, undated), Chatham House seeks “to help governments and societies build a sustainably secure, prosperous and just world. We pursue our mission through dialogue, analysis and solutions-based ideas, and by empowering the next generation to build a better world.” Amongst others, Chatham House aims to “promote the rule of law over the rule of force, so as to reduce levels of human insecurity, enhance resilience and prevent large-scale conflict.” The organization emphasizes that as an institution, it does not take positions on policy matters and that it owes no allegiance to governments or other political bodies. (Chatham House website: Our mission and values, undated)

Chatham House is registered as a charity in England and Wales. (Chatham House website: Our funding, undated)

Funding:

Chatham House’s main sources of income include research funding (provided by private foundations, UK and non-UK government departments, international organisations, private corporations, academic institutions, and individuals) as well as membership fees and – to a lesser extent – income from events and publications. (Chatham House: Annual Review 2021/22, 19 July 2022, pp. 36-37)

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Africa, Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle East and North Africa, Russia and Eurasia

Thematic focus: defence and security, economics and trade, environment, health, institutions, major powers, politics and law, society, technology

Methodology:

According to its own description, Chatham House always retains control over its research output, whatever the source of funding. The organisation seeks to achieve objectivity in the research carried out in its name, “including by pursuing an evidence-based approach to research, undertaking external peer review of its policy reports and engaging a balance of diverse stakeholders in its research meetings.” (Chatham House: Principles for Independent Research and Convening, March 2019)

Research reports may be based on interviews and focus group discussions, as well as desk-based research. Interviews may be carried out by Chatham House researchers with stakeholders such as security analysts, militia members, lawyers, and local residents (see, for example, Chatham House: Networks of power; The Popular Mobilization Forces and the state in Iraq, February 2021, pp. 11-15). Quantitative data may be gathered through surveys conducted on behalf of Chatham House by teams of local researchers (see, for example, Chatham House: The Sadrist movement in Iraq; Between protest and power politics, October 2022, p. 4). In many cases, interviewees are referenced in a generic way without mentioning their name (see, for example, Chatham House: The Sadrist movement in Iraq; Between protest and power politics, October 2022, p. 19 and Chatham House: Networks of power; The Popular Mobilization Forces and the state in Iraq, February 2021, pp. 11-15).

Language of publication:

English

Methodological note:

ecoi.net's source descriptions contain background information on an organisation’s mission & objective, funding and reporting methodology, as well as on how we cover the source. The descriptions were prepared after researching publicly accessible information within time constraints. Most information contained in a source description was taken from the source itself. The aim is to provide a brief introduction to the sources covered regularly, offering information on relevant aspects in one place in a systematic manner. 

All links accessed 2 May 2023.