Independent Research · Global Dialogue · Public Policy

Research Agenda Update: Priority Directions for 2026–2027

The Institute updates its annual research agenda around four main lines: global governance, regional order, technology policy and development quality. This article sets out the core questions and expected output formats of each line and welcomes feedback from academic and policy communities.

Agenda note

A research agenda is a guide to institutional resource allocation and topic selection, not a static list. In 2026–2027 the Institute concentrates its research capacity on four main lines, each responding to real policy problems while also serving methodological development and public knowledge supply.

Line one: global governance and institutional resilience

Focusing on the adaptation and reform of multilateral institutions under pressure. Key questions include the dimensions for assessing institutional resilience, the reform space of major institutions, and the paths by which emerging issues (digital, climate, health) enter governance frameworks. Outputs are mainly research notes and policy briefs.

Line two: Asian regional order

Focusing on the effectiveness of regional institutions and pathways for collaboration. Key questions include assessment from dialogue density to institutional effectiveness, cooperation experiments on cross-border issues (disasters, supply chains, oceans), and building regional knowledge networks. This line also carries the data infrastructure for regional risk observation.

Line three: technology policy and innovation governance

Focusing on the governance challenges of technological change. Key questions include implementation mechanisms for AI governance, resource constraints of critical minerals and the green transition, and the influence of securitised discourse on innovation policy. Outputs are mainly policy comparisons and case tracking.

Line four: development quality and public policy

Focusing on measuring development beyond growth. Key questions include constructing and testing multidimensional development indicators, the policy implications of distribution and sustainability, and the local production and translation of development knowledge. This line emphasises interdisciplinary integration.

Open mechanisms of the agenda

The research agenda is updated annually, drawing on peer review and public feedback. Research notes, datasets and methodological appendices for each line will be released progressively as research advances, forming testable and citable public knowledge assets.

Sources and version: this is an institutional update; version v1.1 (2026-09).

WCI

About the author and editorial note

Author information is maintained through the account and editorial workflow. Published articles should state the author's affiliation, research field, disclosures of interest and any corrections.

ARTICLE INFO

Reading note

News, institutional updates and researchers' commentary carry different labels. Facts, quotations and judgements in articles are verified separately in the editorial workflow.

  • Publication date and author
  • Sources and links
  • Related research and series
  • Corrections and version history