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 week (since 10 March 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 in the last 2 weeks (since 3 March 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”.

Experts on equalities! Apply to be a Specialist Adviser to the Women and Equalities Committee

Applications are open for two Specialist Adviser roles to the Women and Equalities Committee! The Committee is looking for:

  • a Specialist Adviser with expertise on international treaties related to equalities, and
  • a Specialist Adviser with expertise on the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant domestic legislation.

As a Specialist Adviser, you will be supplementing existing internal expertise and providing advice to MPs and staff on issues relating to the UK’s international equalities obligations, or the Equality Act 2010 (depending on which role you apply for). The roles would not provide advice for one specific inquiry, but would provide input and support across all the Committee’s work (for example, at horizon scanning and inquiry scoping stage, on specific inquiries or activities, and where specific issues arise).  

The posts will both run from May 2022 until the conclusion of the parliamentary session, likely to be before summer 2023, with possibility of reappointment in further sessions. Advisers are expected to work no more than 2-4 days per month on a flexible basis. A daily fee is paid to Advisers on the basis of an established scale, plus reasonable expenses, for example for travel to and from Westminster if necessary. 

The Committee proactively aims to be as inclusive as possible in its appointment of Specialist Advisers. The Committee values diversity and encourages applications from people from a wide range of backgrounds.

The deadline for applications is midnight on Sunday 3 April 2022.

Why should I engage? Being a special adviser provides a great opportunity to work closely with a committee, informing its work and approach to an inquiry – such as inquiry focus, selection of oral witnesses, and report development and conclusions. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. And find more on engagement for impact here. 

More information: watch a short video with researchers who’ve been specialist advisers talking about their experience  

Reminder: Contribute to the Women and Equalities Committee and Home Affairs Committee Area of Research Interest: Violence against women and girls

The Women and Equalities Committee and Home Affairs Committee have published a joint Area of Research Interest: ‘Violence against women and girls’ to help support their scrutiny in this topic area.

Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) are lists of policy issues or questions. They are a way for select committees to express interest in seeing more research evidence in certain topics.

This ARI comes with several specific areas of interest aiming to further break down the broad area. These include:

  • the prevalence and types of violence against women and girls in different communities across the UK,
  • cultures underpinning male violence against women and girls,
  • the role of early intervention, and
  • availability of interventions. 

Academics at all career stages, research institutions, and experts are encouraged to register their interest in the ARI, add their existing research in the topic areas to the ARI repository, provide their insights, and suggest questions that the Committee could be asking the Government. 

Register your expertise and research insights on violence against women and girls.

Why should I engage? ARIs, and the research and insights which you contribute in response to them, help to support committees’ scrutiny of government. When you register on the repository, parliamentary staff will be able to access your research to inform their work. They may also contact you when they are seeking experts to contribute to the committee’s work. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament. You can also read more on engagement for impact.

More information: Find out more about the ARI on ‘Violence against women and girls’, and register your expertise and research insights in this area.

Reminder: Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry on Drugs

A reminder from the Home Affairs Select Committee! The Committee has launched an inquiry on drugs. The Committee is keen to hear from a broad range of researchers/experts who have a background in drugs, drugs law and/or drug policy. 

The inquiry will look at four things: the UK’s legislative framework on drugs, UK drug policy, the impact drugs have had on society, and alternative approaches to drugs adopted in other countries.

As regards the legislative framework, this refers to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 and, where relevant, any subordinate legislation made under these Acts.

Interested researchers/ experts can take a look at the Call for Evidence and submit written evidence to the inquiry. Please note that submissions do not need to address every question in the Call for Evidence.

The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on Thursday 24 March 2022.

Please do feel free to share details of the inquiry and Call for Evidence with colleagues and your wider networks.

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”.

A Parliament fact – because #yolo

Did you know that the House of Commons has a second Chamber? Westminster Hall debates are House of Commons debates that take place in a specially converted room, off the Westminster Hall building, rather than in the main Commons Chamber. Westminster Hall debates give MPs an opportunity to raise local or national issues and receive a response from a government minister. Any MP can take part in a Westminster Hall debate.

So what?
A wide range of interesting and important issues are debated in Westminster Hall, and receive responses from government, so it’s worth exploring the calendar to see what’s coming up and if there are any debates of interest to you. If there is a subject coming up to which you would like to contribute your expertise, you could contact the MP leading the debate to offer a briefing.
Also, if you are looking to raise an issue at Parliament, an option could be to suggest to an MP that they apply for a Westminster Hall debate on the topic.

More information