Thought Leadership Series
The ERF Thought Leadership Series is a quarterly flagship publication within the ERF Policy Portal. It will provide timely, forward-looking and policy-relevant analysis on the economic, social, technological and geopolitical challenges shaping the Middle East and North Africa.
Drawing on ERF’s regional network of researchers, policy experts and invited contributors, the series will translate complex developments into clear, evidence-informed analysis for decision-makers and the wider policy community. Its purpose is to bridge research and policy through contributions that are rigorous, concise and relevant to policy agendas.
The series invites contributors to move beyond diagnosis by explaining why an issue matters, identifying its implications, and highlighting policy choices, trade-offs or reform options relevant to MENA’s development. It aims to strengthen ERF’s role as a platform for ideas that connect research, policy and public debate.
Audience
The series is intended for policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, private sector leaders, media professionals and informed regional stakeholders.
Scope
Contributions may address regional, sub-regional or country-specific issues, including macroeconomic stability, fiscal policy, trade, investment, labour markets, technology, private sector development, inequality, social protection, governance, climate, energy, food security and resilience.
What We Look For
Strong contributions should frame a timely issue clearly, explain why it matters for MENA, offer an evidence-informed interpretation, and identify policy implications, risks, trade-offs or reform options. They should be accessible to non-specialists while preserving analytical credibility.
Format and Length
Standard contributions should normally be 1,000–1,500 words. Longer anchor essays or special thematic pieces may be considered where they define a broader research or policy agenda.
Contributors
The series will feature contributions from ERF-affiliated researchers, ERF Fellows and Research Associates, invited experts, policy practitioners and selected external contributors whose work aligns with ERF’s regional mandate and standards.
Editorial Review
Submissions will be reviewed for clarity, coherence, originality, policy relevance, factual accuracy and alignment with the objectives of the series. The series is not peer reviewed, but contributions should meet ERF’s standards of intellectual rigour and public credibility.
Evidence and Citation
Contributions should be evidence-informed, with data, research findings, institutional reports and country examples cited selectively where they materially support the argument.
Timeliness
Priority will be given to contributions that address emerging developments, rapidly evolving regional challenges or issues of strategic relevance to MENA’s medium-term development agenda.
