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 24 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 17 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”.

Contribute to the Scottish Affairs Committee inquiry on military shipbuilding

The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Committee would like to encourage researchers and experts to submit written evidence to its inquiry into military shipbuilding.  This is the next phase of the Committee’s Defence in Scotland work.

The inquiry is exploring the impacts which policy changes are having on the shipbuilding industry in Scotland. It is also considering the opportunities for Scotland of exporting design licences for ships, and what more the UK Government could be doing to support the sector.

The Committee is keen to hear from academics in the defence sector and beyond, including those with insights on whether enough STEM skills are coming out of schools and universities to fill the employment requirements of Scottish shipbuilders, and what could be done to increase STEM skill take-up.

The Committee welcome submissions from early career researchers as well as those further on in their career.

The deadline for submitting written evidence is Tuesday 10 May 2022.

Find more information about the inquiry, the questions being posed by the Committee, and submit written 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: Find information about the Scottish Affairs Committee.
Explore the questions being asked for this inquiry, and submit 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”.

Work with POST on a Green Steel briefing

Do you have expertise and/or literature on the topic of Green Steel? Could you contribute to a research briefing for Parliament?

POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology) produce POSTnotes, which are short, impartial, and accessible evidence syntheses for MPs and Members of the House of Lords. POST welcomes expert contributors to provide literature for POSTnotes, be interviewed on the topic and/or externally review a draft of the POSTnote once it is written.

Work has started on a Green Steel POSTnote, which will consider the technologies being developed for the production of green steel. It will also include other approaches that could help lower emissions from this sector such as recycling and reducing demand for steel.

Find more information about the Green Steel POSTnote.

To contribute expertise, literature or as an external reviewer, please email Lizzie Knight.

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 expertise 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 publicise the POSTnote and your contribution. Therefore your contribution can help raise your profile and promote your research.

More information: Find out more about contributing to a POSTnote as an expert. For queries about POST or POSTnotes contact POST.

Reminder: Academic librarians – join the Parliamentary Academic Librarians Network!

Are you an academic librarian? Interested in opportunities to work with the House of Commons Library?

The House of Commons Library is developing a network for academic librarians. Through this network, you will learn of key opportunities and information around engaging with the Library. This will include sharing of good practice, invitations to events, blog posts and more.

Communication will consist of ad-hoc group emails.

Avoid FOMO with this Parliament fact

Did you know that MPs and Members of the Lords can ask government questions in writing at any time? Written questions are parliamentary questions that are put to government ministers in writing by MPs or Members of the Lords and that receive a written answer. They are often used to ask for detailed information on the work, policy, statistics and activities of Government departments, related bodies, and the administration of Parliament.

So what?
Written questions and answers are published online in the Written Questions and Answers database. You can search these questions by keyword, date, Member and answering body. So this is a great way to explore what is being asked and answered in Parliament on a particular topic or to a particular department.

More information