The Knowledge Exchange Unit supports the exchange of information between UK Researchers and Parliament. They prepare a list of opportunities for researchers each week, which we will be disseminating in part through this blog.
If you are engaging in any of these opportunities, please email Glenn Harris or Suzi Edwards.
New opportunities for researchers to engage with Parliament (compiled 19th May 2021)
These opportunities have been compiled by the Knowledge Exchange Unit (KEU) in UK Parliament.
The KEU supports Parliament to communicate its research and expertise needs to the research community, and supports the research community to engage with Parliament. You can access the KEU’s webhub of information and resources here.
These opportunities and resources have been sent to members of the KEU’s informal Knowledge Mobiliser Network, for circulation to researchers and others (find out more about the network here).
Engagement opportunities
- Select committee inquiries currently open to submissions of written evidence
- Call for experts in energy sector digitalisation
- Call for experts in food insecurity and children’s health
- Reminder: New online training session: Parliament for Researchers – exploring select committee evidence, 9th June 2021, 14:00 – 15:00pm
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- Select committee inquiries open to submissions of written evidence
Find all select committee inquiries open to submissions of written evidence here.
Why should I engage? Submitting evidence to a select committee can lead to further engagement, such as an invite to give oral evidence. Your submission will be published on the Committee webpage. Your insights may inform the Committee’s conclusions or recommendations it makes to the Government. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. And find more on engagement for impact here.
Support resources: find guidance on submitting evidence to select committees on the KEU’s ‘how to guides’ page
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- Call for experts in energy sector digitalisation
POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology) is looking for experts to speak to about energy sector digitalisation, as they create a research briefing (POSTnote) on this topic. They would like to interview academics and experts who could contribute insights on:
- the use of digital technology within the energy system
- benefits provided by ‘digitalisation’
- disruptions to present methods of energy generation, transmission and use
- applications of the most relevant digital technologies to the energy sector, and associated benefits
- barriers to deployment across technical and policy dimensions.
Experts may be asked for an interview to share their insights, which would take place before the end of June. They may in addition be asked to externally review a draft of the POSTnote once it is written, which would be in July.
To recommend an expert, or to put yourself forward, please complete this form by 17:00pm on Friday 28th May 2021.
Why should I engage? POSTnotes are used by Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and UK Parliament staff to navigate complex research. Contributing to a POSTnote is a good way of feeding your research into the UK Parliament as part of a trusted, impartial publication. All contributors are acknowledged online when the POSTnote is published. On publication, you and your organisation’s communications team will be notified to publicize the POSTnote and your contribution. Therefore your contribution can help raise your profile and promote your research. Contributing to a POSTnote may lead to research impact as understood in the context of REF2021.
Support resources: find more information about contributing to a POSTnote as an expert
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- Call for experts in food insecurity and children’s health
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is looking for 2 expert speakers for a virtual briefing event for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff on ‘Food insecurity and children’s health’ (Date TBC, around end of June/ early July).
The event aims to inform MPs and Peers on the causes of food insecurity, its impact on children’s physical and mental health and to describe interventions to support access to healthy food for children. The event will last around 60-75 minutes. In a panel of 4 (including 2 experts from different charities discussing the current situation of food insecurity in children and their experience in delivery programmes), 2 academic experts will be asked to give a 5-10 minute presentation and answer questions from the audience.
POST would like to find experts who could discuss one/any of the following topics:
- malnutrition and the effects in children, focusing not only on childhood obesity but more widely on malnutrition as a whole, also from an undernutrition perspective
- food insecurity and children’s health in vulnerable groups in the UK (perhaps with a more on social science/economics background) including discussion about the evidence base and evaluation of interventions
Please note that POST is looking for experts who have a very broad perspective on the field and are able to discuss the wider literature rather than their specific area of research.
POST is very focused on hearing from a diverse range of researchers, so please consider how you could ensure diversity when recommending speakers or passing this opportunity to your contacts.
To recommend an expert, or to put yourself forward, please complete this form by 17:00pm on Friday 28th May 2021.
Why should I engage? POST events are attended by Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and UK Parliament staff to hear directly from leading experts. Speaking at a POST event is a good way of feeding your research into the UK Parliament as part of a trusted, impartial service, and speaking directly to Parliamentarians. Therefore your contribution can help raise your profile and promote your research.
Support resources: find more information about working with POST as an expert, and more information about POST events.
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- Reminder: New online training session: Parliament for Researchers – exploring select committee evidence, Wednesday 9th June 2021, 14:00 – 15:00pm
To build on your knowledge about the work of select committees, join this focused online training session to explore how select committees use research findings and expertise as evidence, and how you as a researcher can engage. The role of committee specialist advisors will also be covered.
It is hosted by the UK Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit with expert speakers from House of Commons and House of Lords select committee offices. The session is focused on practical information and advice, with opportunities for Q&A.
Book your ticket for Parliament for Researchers – exploring select committee evidence
The online training session will have captions available, images described and information sent in advance. This session will be recorded and available on the Parliament website to watch after the event.
Support resources: You can also access recordings and resources from previous ‘Parliament for Researchers’ training sessions, including sessions tailored for researchers at different career stages and covering different topics such as select committees and writing for a parliamentary audience.
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