The Unbuilt Labs Global Think Tank Ecosystem

We explore what doing good means today and solve grand challenges together with our brilliant family of thinkers and creatives

  • CGA - The Center for Global Agenda (CGA) is dedicated to the study of contemporary global governance. Coming this June — 5 Ideas from Global Diplomacy: System-wide Transformation Methods to Close the Compliance Gap and Advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (Ground Zero Books, 2024). Join us in identifying a way forward ahead of the high-level, multi-stakeholder 2024 Summit of the Future!

Global Strategy

  • SITT - As the central research body, we perform an exploratory and evaluative function. We contextualize emerging trends within a global, historical, social, and academic setting to examine their contributions to a sustainable and principled economy. We propose bold solutions, identify strategic leverage points for change-makers, and publish critical perspectives alongside our research. We currently host the Global Consortium for Systems Research.

Frontier Research

Evidence + Practice

  • VSG - As the first think tank-backed venture advisory, we advise on the ideas, methods, and movements that have the potential to change global dynamics. We believe the next generation of responsible and innovative companies solving grand challenges will be led by strong research centers that consistently deliver breakthrough ideas and monitor ideas’ impact. We specialize in helping solutions-oriented research organizations develop actionable recommendations and impactful programs and products. We support ventures working in line with the Center for Global Agenda (CGA) High Level Recommendations and Global Strategy.

— Featured at —

— Our Programs —

  • Available Now — 5 Ideas from Global DIplomacy

    CGA - by Co-Director Marvin Cheung. Amidst escalating global crises and growing climate anxiety, 5 Ideas from Global Diplomacy (Ground Zero Books) offers actionable recommendations to aspiring changemakers to close the compliance gap between political commitment and action, and advance the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Find out more here.

  • 2023 Future of Global Governance Series

    CGA - Building upon the 2022 Future of Global Governance Series Workshops held at the UN General Assembly Science Summit, the Center for Global Agenda (CGA) at Unbuilt Labs and the Global Consortium for Systems Research (GCSR) is pleased to present the 2023 Future of Global Governance Conference. This year's conference features an exciting range of topics from transdisciplinary research to indigenous co-governance, climate governance, and lunar governance. See our proceedings and recordings.

  • 2022 Future of Global Governance Series at the UN General Assembly Science Summit

    CGA - Join us, together with Jim Hall, FREng (Professor of Climate and Environmental Risks, Director of Research at the School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford), Steve MacFeely (Director of Data and Analytics at WHO) and other distinguished speakers at SSUNGA77. See our briefing and event details.

  • VSG Innovator in Residence (IIR) Program

    VSG - We believe the future of responsible and innovative companies solving grand challenges require a strong research and development center to consistently deliver breakthrough ideas and monitor ideas’ impact. We are pleased to offer a one of its kind pay-what-you-want Innovator in Residence (IIR) Program, where founders looking to set up solutions-oriented research organizations receive 1 year of support through monthly 1:1 Advising Sessions.

  • Seminar: Solving Grand Challenges through Transdisciplinary Research

    SITT - This 10-week seminar is designed to help global leaders of today and tomorrow confidently combine transdisciplinary research methods with systems concepts to solve grand challenges. Find out more here.

  • 1:1 Advising - Private Sector Special Advisors

    VSG - We advise on the ideas, methods, and movements that have the potential to change global dynamics. We help innovative leaders navigate crises and disruptive trends, as an advisor, friend, counselor, and confidant. Email to grab a virtual coffee with us here.

  • Workshop: Nature and natural objects as actors in everyday lives

    CGA - The Center for Global Agenda (CGA) is pleased to co-organize a workshop with 自然をつくる国日本 (Japan: Nation Building Nature) to examine our relationship with nature and natural objects. Read the The Future of Global Governance Series Workshop Proceedings.

  • Post York: the New York Flood Scenario Research Package

    SITT - What would New York be like after a disastrous flood event? The articles in this research package provide the real science for Post York by James Romberger, edited & published by Karen Berger for Berger Books at Dark Horse Comics. Post York is now available at Barnes and Noble, New York Public Library, and many other comic shops! See the research package here.

  • Friends of Unbuilt Labs

    UL - We believe that doing good can be profitable. As a for-profit LLC, we accept project financing on a case-by-case basis. Public support from people like yourself helps us expand our programs and continue conducting independent research. See how you can become a Friend of Unbuilt Labs here.

Support Our Work

We are an independent, for-profit think tank designed to offer an insider perspective without the influence of donors at an organizational level. We accept project financing on a case-by-case basis. Our Board has the flexibility to decline projects that are not in line with our global strategy and we also have an exclusion list on our ethics statement. While we acknowledge that nothing other than reducing consumption is sustainable, we also believe that the process of designing a sustainable and principled economy can present opportunities. We call this window of opportunity Sustainable Innovation (SI). We know that doing good can be profitable.

If you would like to commission new research, projects, workshops, or events, please see our Sponsors and Changemakers page. Individuals are also welcome to become Friends of Unbuilt Labs.

Get in touch!

Email:

connect@UnbuiltLabs.com