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 2 February 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 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.  

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”.

Apply to be a Specialist Adviser on Human Trafficking in the UK

The Home Affairs Select Committee seeks to appoint up to two Specialist Advisers for its inquiry into Human Trafficking in the UK. 

As a Specialist Adviser, you will be working with Committee staff on an ad-hoc basis to provide authoritative advice in relation to this subject. The work is likely to be unevenly distributed over time, but you would be expected to work no more than 2-4 days per month on a flexible basis, although in practical terms the workload may be less at different times, depending on the Committee’s programme. The post is expected to run from April throughout 2023. A daily fee is paid to Advisers on the basis of an established scale, plus reasonable expenses. 

The Committee values diversity and encourages applications from people from a wide range of backgrounds. 

To find out more about the Committee, the kind of work involved in the role, the knowledge and skills required, and how to apply, visit the Home Affairs Committee webpage on this opportunity. 

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 10 March. 

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  

Work with POST on a briefing on Electricity Market Reform in the UK 

Do you have expertise and/or literature on the electricity market? 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 POSTnote into electricity market reform. It will consider the current market arrangements, their shortcomings with respect to decarbonising the electricity mix by 2035, and the range of options for market reform. 

Find out more information about the Electricity market reform POSTnote. 

If you have expertise in this area, and are interested in contributing to the POST note, please email Brian Tam. 

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.

Wait, what’s an APPG? 

All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are informal, cross-party bodies on a diverse range of topics. They are established and run by Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords who share a common interest in a particular policy area, region or country. APPGs allow Members to develop their knowledge of a topic, to raise awareness of an issue and to engage with individuals and organisations who share an interest in the subject matter of the group. 

APPG subjects include fusion energy, menopause, rail in the North and social mobility. There is also an APPG for almost every country.  

So what?

A register of APPGs can be found on the UK Parliament website which researchers can use to find APPGs related to their own research area. Contact the APPG to introduce your work and offer to share your expertise and literature with the group. Many APPGs also have a mailing list which you can join to get details of their work, including any events being held by the APPG. 

The APPG register will also list the members of the APPG. Use this list to identify MPs and members of the House of Lords who are interested in your field of expertise and contact them about your research.