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 4 May 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 27 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”.

Share your research to contribute to the new POSTnotes

POSTnotes are short briefings produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) which review emerging areas of research for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. POST has announced they will begin preparing seven new POSTnotes and welcomes contact from researchers with relevant research in the topic area. The new POSTnotes will cover:

                            – contact: bradshawsb@parliament.uk

                            – contact: wentworthj@parliament.uk

                             – contact: grubh@parliament.uk

                             – contact: lallyc@parliament.uk

                            – contact: bunnsk@parliament.uk

                             – contact: harrisbb@parliament.uk

                             – contact: collinsab@parliament.uk

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 research 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 publicize 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.
If you would like to contribute to a POSTnote email the contact listed next to the POSTnote.

Parliament’s Recruitment Fair

Parliament is holding a recruitment fair on Thursday 18 May from 3pm.

More than 3,000 people work behind the scenes in Parliament and attendees can find out about the wide range of roles on offer at the fair. There will be a series of speakers from 3.15pm who explain what it’s like to work in Parliament and share their career journey. It’s also an opportunity to speak directly to Parliamentary staff and understand how different roles can help to shape the work of Parliament.

The fair is open to all – click here to book your ticket.

If you can’t make it in person you can find out more about the opportunities at Parliament on our vacancies page.  

One approves

A bill is a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to change an existing law, presented for debate before Parliament. The final stage of a bill before it becomes an Act and is incorporated into law is Royal Assent. The last monarch who vetoed a bill was Queen Anne in 1708. She refused to confer Royal Assent on the Scottish Militia Bill fearing that it might endanger her reign. Today, Royal Assent is regarded as a formality. While Charles III is constitutionally empowered to withhold his consent he is unlikely to do so.

So what?  

Understanding the different stages that legislation follows as it passes through the Houses of Parliament offers researchers opportunities to get involved and share their expertise. For example, sharing key points from their research to inform Members involved in the debating or scrutiny of the bill at Second reading or Committee stage.

Researchers can also keep up to date on the progress of a bill by reading the House of Commons Library briefings.

More information