Opportunities to engage with Parliament (17th June)

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 17^th June 2021)  

These opportunities have been compiled by UK Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit (KEU).

The KEU supports Parliament to communicate its research and expertise needs to the research community, and supports the research community to engage with Parliament. Take a look at the KEU’s webhub of information and resources for researchers.

These opportunities and resources have been sent to members of the KEU’s informal network for Knowledge Mobilisers, for circulation to researchers and others (find out more about the network).   

Engagement opportunities   

1. Select committee inquiries launched in the last seven days (since 10^th June 2021)
2. Select committee inquiries launched in the last fortnight (since 3^rd June 2021)
3. Two PhD Fellowships with POST currently open for applications

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1.       Select committee inquiries launched in the last seven days (since 10^th June 2021) 

• The Benefits System in Wales | Welsh Affairs Committee | Deadline for evidence submission: Tuesday 10^th August 2021

2.       Select committee inquiries launched in the last fortnight (since 3^rd June 2021) 

• High Speed 2: Progress at Summer 2021 | Public Accounts Committee | Deadline for evidence submission: Thursday 17^th June 2021
• Progress with defence estate disposals | Public Accounts Committee | Deadline for evidence submission: Monday 21^st June 2021
• Protecting consumers from unsafe products | Public Accounts Committee | Deadline for evidence submission: Thursday 24^th June 2021
• Government’s delivery through arm’s-length bodies | Public Accounts Committee | Deadline for evidence submission: Monday 28^th June 2021
• Test and Trace 2 | Public Accounts Committee | Deadline for evidence submission: Monday 5^th July 2021
• Improving the performance of defence contracts | Public Accounts Committee | Deadline for evidence submission: Thursday 8^th July 2021
• Crossrail: A progress update | Public Accounts Committee | Deadline for evidence submission: Thursday 15^th July 2021

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. And find more on engagement for impact. 

More information: Find all select committee inquiries currently open for submissions of written evidence.

Support resources: find guidance on submitting evidence to select committees on the KEU’s ‘how to guides’ page  

3.       Two PhD Fellowships with POST currently open for applications

PhD students – would you like to undertake a placement at UK Parliament?  There are two schemes currently open for applications through POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology):

• POST and N8 AgriFood are offering two Fellowships to current doctoral students registered at one of the N8 Universities (Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York) working in an area of agri-food research. The Fellowship is expected to start in October 2021.

Applications close Sunday 20th June 2021.

Find out more and apply for the N8 AgriFood Fellowship.

• POST and the Nuffield Foundation are offering a 13 week Fellowship to PhD students in a scientific or quantitative natural or social science field. One funded fellowship is available, expected to start in January 2022 (but may start in April 2022 if needed).  This Fellowship can potentially be undertaken part-time.

Applications close Sunday 18th July 2021.

Find out more and apply for the Nuffield Foundation Fellowship.

Why should I engage? Fellowships offer the opportunity to work closely with a team in Parliament, supporting and informing its work, building capacity or helping evolve processes, or delivering a unique project.  Fellows learn how to write for policy with balance and impartiality. They also develop a unique understanding of Westminster and forge important relationships with key stakeholders, while often delving into a novel and exciting topic of research. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here.

More information:  Find out more information about the POST PhD Fellowships. And find information about the outcomes and impacts arising from previous fellowships.

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Parliament facts to impress your colleagues with

Did you know that Parliament and Government are different? One of Parliament’s key roles is to scrutinise the work and actions of Government – Government is accountable to Parliament. 

So what?  As a researcher, you can work with both, or either, but you need to be aware of which institution you’re working with, as your reason and approach may be different.  We’d suggest you have a think about why you want to engage with policy, and what you want to achieve through it. Consider whether you want to work with Parliament, Government, or both.

More information: Read about the difference between Parliament and Government.  Watch our online training session for researchers about engaging with Government in contrast to Parliament.