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 6 April 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 fours weeks (since 23 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. 

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 researchers to do a Royal Society of Chemistry fellowship with POST

Applications are now open for the 2023/24 Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) POST Fellowship scheme!

Successful applicants will be based in UK Parliament, supporting its use of research evidence. Most fellows assist POST in providing briefing materials for parliamentarians on emerging science topics. Work may include: 

  • Producing a POSTnote or POSTbrief (briefing documents to help inform the work of MPs and Peers) or contributing to a longer briefing report.
  • Assisting a select committee in an ongoing inquiry.
  • Organising a seminar to inform or disseminate research.

The fellowship is open to RSC members who are undertaking or have recently completed their PhD study. If you are not already a member of the RSC, you can apply to join prior to submitting your Fellowship application. 

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 May 2024. 

The deadline for applications is Monday 12 June 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.   

Apply for an Institute of Food and Science Technology fellowship with POST

Applications are now open for the 2023/2024 Institute of Food and Science Technology fellowship with POST. 

Successful applicants will be based in UK Parliament, supporting its use of research evidence. Most fellows assist POST in providing briefing material for parliamentarians on emerging food science and technology topics. 

The fellowship is open to PhD students in their second or third year of their PhD studies, undertaking research studies related to Food Science and Technology at a UK university Students who are writing up their theses but have not yet graduated are eligible to apply. You do not have to be a member of the IFST to apply, although the IFST encourages students to join to benefit from its networks.

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 June 2024.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 10 May 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: Contribute to the Artificial Intelligence in Weapon Systems Area of Research Interest

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. 

Meet the House of Lords 

As of 19 April 2023, there are 777 members of the House of Lords. The majority of Members are Life Peers, who have been appointed based on their skills and expertise. Life Peers come from a variety of backgrounds, and include people who have experience in business, education, science and technology, law, sport and entertainment. They also include social campaigners and those working in the third sector. They remain members of the House of Lords until they die, or retire, and the title is not passed down to their children. 

Members of the House of Lords play a key role in the scrutinising of Government policy. During debates they pose questions to Government Ministers, and they use their expertise to provide detailed and robust scrutiny to any proposed legislation (changes to current law). They also raise awareness of issues, and can work with smaller charities and organisations to call for changes to legislation. For example, Baroness Sugg has worked with charities for her work on making child marriage illegal. 

So what?

If you’re interested in using your research to campaign for a change in legislation or Government policy, or to raise awareness of an issue, contact a Member of the House of Lords. Members may reference your research within debates in the House of Lords Chamber, or use it to put a question to Government on this issue. Academic research will also increase their knowledge of an issue, supporting them in scrutinising Government policy. Use the search function on the UK Parliament website to search for members who have expressed an interest in a policy area which relates to your research

The Engage with the House of Lords online hub, has a number of key recommendations for organisations, charities, and researchers who wish to share their research with Parliament.