New opportunities for the research community to engage with Parliament (compiled 08 March 2023)

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).

Jump to:

• Select committee inquiries launched in the last seven days (since 2 March 2023)
• Select committee inquiries launched in the last two weeks (since 23 February 2023) 
• Sign up for a webinar on how Parliament scrutinises secondary legislation 
• It’s all in the telling

Select committee inquiries launched in the last seven days (since 2 March 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.

• The work of the Office for Students | House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee | Deadline for evidence submissions: Friday 7 April 2023 
• AI in weapon systems | House of Lords AI in Weapon Systems Committee | Deadline for evidence submissions: Monday 10 April 2023 
• Bank of England: how is independence working? | House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee | Thursday 13 April 2023 
• Financial reporting and audit in local authorities | Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee | Deadline for evidence submissions: Monday 17 April 2023 
• FCDO’s approach to sexual and reproductive health | International Development Committee | Deadline for evidence submissions: Tuesday 18 April 2023 

Select committee inquiries launched in the last two weeks (since 23 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.  

• The appointment and the dismissal of permanent secretaries and other senior civil servants | House of Lords Constitution Committee | Deadline for evidence submissions: Tuesday 28 March 2023 
• The impact of environmental regulations on development | House of Lords Built Environment Committee | Deadline for evidence submissions: Friday 31 March 2023 

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”.

Sign up for a webinar on how Parliament scrutinises secondary legislation 

The Knowledge Exchange Unit, together with the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN), are organising a webinar ‘How Parliament Scrutinises Secondary Legislation’. 

The webinar will take place 12pm-1pm on Thursday 27 April 2023. It will take place on Microsoft Teams. 

During this webinar you will hear from three parliamentary staff with experience of the Secondary Legislation Scrutiny Committee, Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments, and the European Statutory Instruments Committee: Yohanna Sallberg, Jane White and Hannah Stone. The session will allow you to develop your knowledge of how secondary legislation is scrutinised in the UK Parliament, what resources on statutory instruments are available, and how you can contribute any comments. 

Register to attend the event on Eventbrite. A subsequent email will be sent out to confirm places and provide the webinar link.

Why should I engage?  Secondary legislation is a key function of UK Parliament. This session will provide important guidance for researchers on the secondary legislation process, and tips to ensure that your evidence meets the needs of the audience.

More information: Register for the ‘How Parliament Scrutinises Secondary Legislation.  Visit the UK Parliament Knowledge Exchange website. Find out more information about UPE.

It’s all in the telling

March is Women’s History Month which highlights the contribution of women to events in history. Notable within Parliament’s history is Mary Smith who petitioned Parliament in 1832 to campaign for women’s suffrage and Lady Astor who was the first woman to take up a parliamentary seat. In recent years women’s representation in Parliament has increased and women now make up 31% of parliamentarians across both Houses.

So what?

Feel inspired? Why not check out the select committees in your research area. They will welcome hearing about how your research informs their inquiry.

This year’s Women’s History Month theme is Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. However, women’s voices are underrepresented in Parliament in areas such as presenting oral evidence to a select committee. Parliament wants to hear from women and other diverse voices and understand the research stories that can inform its work. There are lots of different ways to engage with the UK Parliament as a researcher and we have a series of guides to get you started. You can also watch some short videos from researchers who explain what it was like when they shared their research story with Parliament.