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

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 the research community (find out more about the network).

Select committee inquiries launched in the last seven days (since 20 January 2022)

Please click the title of any inquiry listed below to be taken to a summary of that inquiry and the full call for evidence.
Remember that you don’t have to answer every question posed in each call for evidence. And you can also explore all select committee inquiries currently open for submissions of written evidence. 

Select committee inquiries launched since 13 January 2022

Please click the title of any inquiry listed below to be taken to a summary of that inquiry and the full call for evidence.

Why should I engage? Submitting evidence to a select committee can lead to further engagement, such as an invitation 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. Watch our 30 minute online training session “How to work with select committees”.

Applications open for the 2022 Nuffield Foundation POST Fellowship scheme!

POST and the Nuffield Foundation are offering a 13-week fellowship to PhD students in a scientific or quantitative social science field who are undertaking or have recently completed their PhD study.

“Recently completed” applies to people whose University registration ended at any point in 2022. The full person specification can be found in the application guidance. There are up to three funded fellowships available.

Successful applicants will be based in UK Parliament, supporting its use of research evidence. Most fellows assist POST in providing briefing material for parliamentarians on emerging science topics.

The fellowship can be carried out full-time for three months or part-time over a longer period. Successful applicants will be expected to start their fellowship at a date in 2022 to be agreed between the applicant, POST, Nuffield Foundation and the applicant’s supervisor, but may start in April 2022 if needed.

The deadline for applications is 23:59, 27 February 2022.

Find out more about the opportunity, including about eligibility, funding arrangements and how to apply

Frequently Asked Questions about POST fellowships.

Why should I engage? POST’s PhD fellowships offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the epicentre of policy-making from the inside. By the end of their time at POST, 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 what a POST fellowship is like and the opportunities it can lead to.

More information: Find out more about POST fellowships. Watch an interview with a previous POST fellow to learn about her experience.

ICYMI – Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme – launching later this month

We will be reopening the Directed Call of the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme at the end of January!    

The Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme gives university-based researchers and staff working in knowledge exchange the opportunity to participate in a fellowship project with an office in UK Parliament. Each fellowship project in the Directed Call will be proposed by a team at Parliament as a project on which academic input is needed.   

We expect there will be 12 projects open for applications. You can read about the Call on our Parliamentary Academic Fellowships webpage. More information, including details on eligibility, funding, key dates, and the application process, will be available on the webpage from January 31st. 

We welcome applications from everyone regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, marital status or whether or not they have a disability.  

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us on keu@parliament.uk.  

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. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. And find more on engagement for impact here.   

More information: Find out more information about the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme here. And find information about the outcomes and impacts arising from previous fellowships here

A Parliament fact as January turns to February

Did you know that there is an edited verbatim record of what was said in Parliament?

This is called Hansard (the Official Report).

Hansard (the Official Report) is the edited verbatim report of proceedings (for example: debates, speeches, questions and answers) of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. It is published daily when Parliament is sitting.

Hansard records what is said in the main Chambers of both Houses. It also records proceedings in Westminster Hall, Public Bill Committees and other general committees.

So what? Hansard is a great way to find out more about what interests Parliament. It can be a really helpful way to know what has been said in Parliament on a particular topic, as well as to find out more about the different interests of MPs and Members of the House of Lords.

More information:

Note on this round-up

If you have been forwarded this email and would like to get it yourself, you can subscribe directly to receive our weekly email round-up of opportunities for the research community to engage with UK Parliament. These opportunities can include calls for evidence from select committees, academic fellowship opportunities, requests for expertise from Parliament and more. You will receive the round-up each Thursday morning, with some exceptions such as parliamentary recess. 
If you consider yourself a knowledge mobiliser, find out how to join our informal network of knowledge mobilisers. This is a network of people whose role includes sharing research from their institution with other sectors, or supporting researchers to share their research.