People & Governance
People behind
the ideas.
Independence requires strong institutions.

Agora’s governance architecture is designed to protect research independence while bringing together experience from economics, law, diplomacy, business, academia, science and civil society.

Institutional Principle
Governance provides direction.
Research remains independent.
Governance Architecture
Designed for independence.

Agora’s institutional structure separates strategic governance from research and operational functions, helping protect the integrity of its intellectual work.

01
Board of Trustees

Determines long-term institutional strategy, safeguards the mission and provides oversight.

02
President

Provides strategic leadership, represents Agora internationally and supports institutional fundraising.

03
Director-General

Leads day-to-day operations, heads research and implements decisions of the Board.

04
Research Council

Maintains research quality and provides academic oversight through senior fellows and peer review.

05
Advisory Council

Provides external expertise and perspective without executive authority.

06
Research Community

Fellows, associates and researchers undertake the Institute’s intellectual work.

Board of Trustees
Experience without
intellectual interference.

The Board of Trustees is intended to bring together respected individuals from different sectors and intellectual backgrounds. Its responsibility is institutional stewardship — not control of research.

01
Former Central Bankers

Economic and monetary policy experience.

02
Former Judges

Legal and institutional expertise.

03
Former Diplomats

International relations and foreign policy.

04
Business Leaders

Enterprise and competitiveness experience.

05
Academics

Scholarship and intellectual leadership.

06
Scientists

Scientific reasoning and technical expertise.

07
Civil Society

Public interest and social perspectives.

08
International Advisers

Global experience and comparative perspective.

Executive Leadership
Leadership with clear responsibilities.
P
Appointed by the Board
President

The President provides strategic leadership, represents the Institute globally and supports the development of long-term institutional relationships and fundraising.

D
Executive Management
Director-General

The Director-General is responsible for day-to-day operations, research leadership, programme execution and implementation of Board decisions.

Research Council
Protecting research quality.

The Research Council will ideally comprise approximately ten members drawn from Agora’s senior research community.

Its central responsibility is to maintain intellectual quality, methodological rigour and appropriate peer review.

The Council provides academic oversight while preserving the independence of individual researchers.

01
Senior Fellows

Lead major research programmes and provide intellectual direction.

02
Visiting Fellows

Bring specialised expertise and international research perspectives.

03
Research Associates

Support research projects, data analysis and policy studies.

04
Peer Review Panel

Provides independent review where appropriate for major research publications.

Advisory Council
Perspective without executive authority.
01
International Experts

Distinguished experts offering global and comparative perspectives.

02
Former Ministers

Practical experience in government and public policy.

03
International Institutions

Former leaders of international organisations and multilateral institutions.

04
Distinguished Academics

Scholars contributing expertise across Agora’s research disciplines.

05
Strategic Practitioners

Experienced practitioners bringing practical insight to complex policy questions.

06
Regional Voices

Experts connecting Agora to perspectives across South Asia and beyond.

Research Community
A network of independent thinkers.

Agora’s research community will evolve over time, bringing together scholars and practitioners working across disciplines and geographies.

SF
Senior Fellows

Lead research programmes and contribute senior intellectual leadership.

VF
Visiting Fellows

International scholars and practitioners collaborating with Agora.

RA
Research Associates

Researchers supporting projects, publications and policy analysis.

The Board sets direction. Researchers pursue the evidence.

This separation is central to Agora’s commitment to intellectual independence and institutional integrity.

Good institutions are built by good people.

Agora welcomes researchers, experts and institutions interested in contributing to serious public policy dialogue.

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