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 29 September 2021)  

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

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).

Select committee inquiries launched in the last seven days (since 2 September 2021)

Select committee inquiries launched since our last round up (since 22 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. You can also read more on engagement for impact.
More information: Explore 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.

Apply for a UK Research and Innovation Policy Internship at POST

Calling doctoral students funded by the Research Councils of UK Research and Innovation (AHRC, BBSRC, ESRC, EPSRC, MRC, NERC and STFC)! Here is a great opportunity to apply for a Policy Internship.  If you’d like to come and work at Parliament, you can choose POST as your first choice of host.

While POST fellows typically help us with the production of a POSTnote or POSTbrief, this unique opportunity to view the epicentre of policy-making from the inside may also include a secondment to a select committee or to the House of Commons or House of Lords Libraries.

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.

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

Subscribe to alerts from POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology)

Subscribe to POST’s new email alerts to get the latest on:

  • Research and resources
  • Upcoming events
  • Fellowship opportunities

Choose what you’d like to get regular updates about from a list of options. You can update your preferences at any time.

Why should I engage? 

You will be able to keep up to date on opportunities to work with POST as a researcher. POST host a variety of academic fellowships, which are a great opportunity for researchers to work within Parliament. POST will announce the topics of new briefings they are writing and invite contributions from experts, which is a great way to feed your expertise into a trusted parliamentary briefing. POST events are a good networking and learning opportunity.
More information: Subscribe to POST’s new email alerts. Find out more about POST fellowships. Learn about contributing to POST as an expert. Attend upcoming POST events.

Parliament facts they didn’t teach you in school

Did you know that select committees are a key route to contribute research to UK Parliament? Select committees put out a call for evidence for each inquiry they run, which will include a list of questions the committee would like answered. Written evidence, i.e. a response to those questions, can be submitted by anyone.

So what? By submitting evidence, your insights may inform the Committee’s conclusions or the recommendations it makes to the Government. Any evidence accepted by the committee will be published. And submitting evidence to a select committee can lead to further engagement with them, such as an invitation to give oral evidence.

More information: Explore this list of open calls for evidence to see if there’s anything you could contribute to. Find guidance on submitting evidence to a select committee.