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 26 January 2023)

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 two weeks (since 19 January 2023)

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”.

Opportunity for PhD students to complete a British Psychological Society fellowship with POST

Applications are now open for the 2023/24 British Psychological Society (BPS) POST Fellowship scheme!

The BPS fellowship is an opportunity to 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 is open to PhD students in a psychology-related subject who are members of the BPS and are in their penultimate or final year of study. The full person specification can be found in the application pack.

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 between September 2023 and April 2024. 

The deadline for applications is Sunday 5 March 2023. 

More information about the fellowship, including how to apply, can be found on the POST website. 

Why should I engage? Fellows at POST will have the opportunity to produce their own parliamentary briefing from start to finish. By the end of their time at POST, fellows will have learned how to write for policy-makers with balance, impartiality and succinctness. They will also have developed a unique understanding of Westminster, forged important relationships with key stakeholders, and delved into a novel and exciting topic of research.

More information: Find out more about the scheme here, read about previous fellows’ experiences here, and find out more about the impacts of participating in a fellowship here.   

ICYMI: Submit a proposal to the Health and Social Care Committee for its prevention of ill health inquiry

The Health and Social Care Committee has launched an inquiry into the prevention of ill health. In the first stage of the inquiry, the Committee are inviting researchers, organisations and individuals interested in, or working in, preventative healthcare to suggest what specific issues it should explore. 

Inquiry proposals should outline, in no more than 750 words, the nature of the issue that the Committee should explore, why it deserves attention from the Committee now, and how Government policy in this area could be developed or improved. 

The Committee will choose a selection of proposals to take forward. If your proposal is shortlisted you will be contacted by Committee staff. Proposals will be published on the Committee’s website. 

The deadline to submit your proposal is Wednesday 8 February 2023. 

Find out more information about the ‘Prevention in Health and Social Care inquiry’ and how to submit a proposal 

Why should I engage? Select committees scrutinise the work of Government through inquiries, which gather evidence and put forward recommendations to Government on a particular issue. This is a chance to shape the work of the Science and Technology Committee, and provoke scrutiny of a particular aspect of the Government’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 work of the Health and Social Care Committee. Read more about the ‘Prevention in Health and Social Care‘ inquiry and submit your proposal for an inquiry

Support resources: Watch our 30 minute online training session “How to work with select committees”.

Reminder: Can you suggest a topic for the Transport Committee to investigate? 

The Transport Committee has launched an open call for topics of inquiry. The ‘Our Future Transport inquiry‘ invites proposals from researchers and innovative thinkers on what the Committee should investigate next and why, including what action is needed from the Government.

The Committee are keen to receive ideas from a wide range of experts, researchers and thinkers about technology and trends that they may not have come across before, and innovations that those with knowledge of the sector think deserve more attention. 

A shortlist of people who have submitted proposals will be invited to pitch their idea to MPs on the Committee in a formal session. The winning proposal will form the basis of a new inquiry by the Committee.

The deadline to submit your proposal for an inquiry topic (no more than 500 words!) is 12 noon on Monday 6 February 2023. 

Find out more information about the ‘Our Future Transport’ inquiry, and how to submit your proposal. 

Why should I engage? Select committees scrutinise the work of Government through inquiries, which gather evidence and put forward recommendations to Government on a particular issue. This is a chance to shape the work of the Science and Technology Committee, and provoke scrutiny of a particular aspect of the Government’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 work of the Transport Committee. Read more about the ‘Our Future Transport Inquiry‘ and submit your proposal for an inquiry. 

Support resources: Watch our 30 minute online training session “How to work with select committees”

Have you seen the Ayrton light? 

Above the clock faces of the Elizabeth Tower (popularly known as Big Ben) sits the Ayrton Light, a lantern like structure which shines whenever the House of Commons or the House of Lords are sitting. 

The light was installed at the request of Queen Victoria, so that she could see from Buckingham Palace when Parliament was sitting after dark. Named after Acton Smee Ayrton, a liberal politician, the light was installed in 1892. Initially powered by gas jets, the Ayrton Light was converted to electricity in 1903. 

So what?

Whilst Queen Victoria relied on gas jets to let her know when Parliament was sitting, today we can use the power of the internet. The UK Parliament website has a calendar which details the business being covered each day, including the topic of debates and which Committees are holding evidence sessions. The House of Commons, and UK Parliament, Twitter accounts also provide regular updates on what is happening at Parliament. Use this to find out when Parliament is discussing topics of interest to you.