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 two weeks (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.

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 Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems Area of Research Interests 

The House of Lords Committee on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Weapons Systems has launched an Area of Research Interest alongside its call for evidence. Academics, research institutions and experts with technical and other expertise concerning AI in Weapon Systems are invited to complete a short survey about their research.

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. 

Areas of interest include definitions of autonomous weapon systems (AWS), human involvement in the use of AWS, the technical capabilities and limitations of the AI models underpinning AWS, the impact might AWS have on warfare, and the role of international humanitarian law in governing the use of AWS.

Researchers at all career stages are invited to share their research and insights, highlight any evidence gaps and how these could be addressed, and suggest scrutiny questions for the Committee. Those who respond to the ARI survey will be entered onto a database of experts who may be contacted by parliamentary staff in order to help them scrutinise this area of interest.

Register your expertise and research insights on Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems 

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 AI in Weapon Systems and register your expertise and research interests. 

Work with POST on a briefing on marine protected and highly protected marine areas

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 marine protected and highly protected marine areas. It will consider the effectiveness of protection measures to mitigate pressures driving declines in marine biodiversity, and summarise associated challenges including ‘spatial squeeze’ on the various economic activities using marine areas, such as renewable energy infrastructure, and the implementation of marine net gain principles

Find out more information about the marine protected and highly protected marine areas POSTnote. 

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

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.

A Parliamentary fact that may help you to win a quiz one day

Question: What links Liverpool Cathedral, Battersea Power Station, the red phone box and the House of Commons Chamber? 

Answer: They were all designed by Giles Gilbert Scott. 

In the Second World War, the House of Commons Chamber was destroyed during a  bombing raid. In 1943 Gilbert Scott was appointed to redesign the Chamber, with the instruction to keep a gothic feel. To aid in the rebuilding of the Commons Chamber, Members of the Commonwealth donated furniture and materials. For example, the Speakers Chair was a gift from the Australian Parliament, and the entrance doors to the Chamber were produced using oak donated by India and Pakistan. MPs began debating in the new House of Commons Chamber in October 1950. 

So what? 

UK Parliament’s Heritage Collections are home to more than 26,000 objects, dating from the 14th century, which help to tell the story of Parliament. The Heritage Collections website has a number of online exhibitions which detail the history of key items held in the collection. An online exhibition on Giles Gilbert Scott provides information on how he designed the Commons Chamber, and highlights the items that were donated by Commonwealth nations. The Heritage Collections Team provide information on how they conserve and protect these items, many of which are in daily use at Parliament, and their important work may be of interest to researchers interested in preservation.