YouGov and Cambridge Uni Set Up thinktank

In the UK, online pollster YouGov has teamed up with Cambridge University to launch a not-for-profit thinktank, through which 'world-class thinkers' can connect with public opinion research.

An annual 'YouGov-Cambridge Forum' is planned, with the first one held this week, while the thinktank will be responsible for conducting studies of public opinion and behaviour, as well as polls on breaking news.

For the Forum, the two organisations plan to invite thought leaders from government, business, media and academia can discuss major issues of public opinion research. This week's two-day invite-only launch event at Magdalene College, Cambridge included a range of speakers such as Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales; BBC Middle East Editor Jeremy Bowen; Pakistani politician Imran Khan; and author and philosopher Nassim Taleb.

The week's line-up was supported by a number of Downing Street advisors, former UK intelligence officials, journalists, business leaders and TV and radio broadcaster Clive Anderson. The theme was 'Consumer networks and the Diffusion of Power', with guests given the opportunity to share their insights into how to tap into the voice of online consumers and social media crowds in today's business/political worlds.

YouGov co-founder and CEO Stephan Shakespeare comments: 'As we become ever more digitally connected, the dynamics of public opinion and leadership become increasingly complex and powerful. Without new tools for understanding this new media, the opportunities for leadership must decline. YouGov now has the opportunity to open up access to its resources and produce research that will benefit not just our commercial clients across the globe, but academics, entrepreneurs, and the public itself.'

Web site: www.yougov.polis.cam.ac.uk .