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 week (since 20 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 three 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.  

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”.

ICYMI – Academic Librarians Conference

We’re pleased to invite you to join the annual Academic Librarians Parliamentary Network conference (online) on Thursday 4 May 2023. There will be an exciting programme of talks over two separate sessions:

  • Knowledge sharing session on collaboration for innovation with presenters from the academic sector, the House of Commons Library and the Parliamentary Archives (10:00-12:00). 
  • An afternoon open event showcasing the work of the House of Commons Library, lightning talks, and a virtual tour (14:00-16:00).

Register for the Parliamentary Academic Librarians Network conference.

Why should I engage? The parliamentary network for academic librarians highlights key opportunities and information on engaging with the library. It shares good practice and provides invitations to participate in events and other opportunities. It’s a great way for you to build your knowledge and networks so that you can support researchers in your institution to engage with the House of Commons Library.

More information: Sign up to the Parliamentary Academic Librarians Network and follow the House of Commons Library on Twitter.

Reminder – 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.  

Do penguins snore?

This week it was both World Penguin Day and National Stop Snoring Week. Penguins and snoring might not be items you’d think of first for debate in the Chambers of Parliament. However, snoring has been spoken about 240 times and penguins 303 times!

So what?

Parliament debates a wide range of items and sometimes researchers unnecessarily hold back from engaging with Parliament because they don’t think their topic will be of interest…but it probably is!

To find out if Parliament has debated your research interests you can search through Hansard. Hansard is the official record (transcription) of what is said in the Chambers and some other areas of parliamentary business. Hansard will highlight what has been discussed (and any gaps you may wish to feed into) and the parliamentary Members that are interested in your topic.

Search Hansard to follow past discussion on your research topic or find out more about Hansard here.

If you spotted a gap in the coverage of a debate you could ask your local MP to table a Parliamentary Question on the matter.