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 18 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 11 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.  

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”.

Thinking of applying for one of our Parliamentary Academic Fellowship opportunities? Hear from a current fellow

Fellowships are a key way that research and researchers can impact Parliament. Here’s what current Parliamentary Academic Fellow, Nicky Buckley, had to say about her experience:

“It’s a great experience being a Parliamentary Academic Fellow and I’d like to highlight that these opportunities are open to knowledge exchange and library professionals in higher education as well as academic researchers. By taking on the Areas of Research Interest project in 2022-23, I’ve had the chance to work with colleagues in the Knowledge Exchange Unit, the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology and several Select Committees in both the House of Commons and House of Lords.”

We have three exciting fellowship opportunities currently open for applications from researchers and knowledge exchange professionals:

  • Mapping Public Engagement in Parliaments across the world (closing 25 June) 

This opportunity will gather knowledge about public engagement activities taking place in parliaments across the world and strengthen links between UK Parliament and stakeholders to help facilitate knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation in how parliaments engage with their publics.

  • Developing Parliament’s Areas of Research Interest (ARI) activity to support scrutiny (closing 25 June)

This opportunity involves working with a variety of parliamentary stakeholders to advance the use of research evidence in Parliament, through the development of evolving and innovative knowledge exchange mechanisms.

  • Understanding Transport Research Communities for Scrutiny (closing 27 June)

This opportunity will work directly with the House of Commons Transport Committee to build understanding of transport research communities for scrutiny. It includes contributing insights to improve the Committee’s scrutiny work by bringing research into its heart, helping to get voices heard that might not otherwise be heard, and will influence Committee work into the future.  

Find out more about each of the above fellowships and how to apply on the KEU website.

Why should I engage? Fellowships offer the opportunity to work closely with a team in Parliament, supporting and informing its work, building capacity or helping evolve processes, or delivering a unique project. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. And find more on engagement for impact here.   

More information:  Find out more information about the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme here. And find information about the outcomes and impacts arising from previous fellowships here.  

ICYMI: Opportunity for chemical or process engineers

Applications are now open for the 2023/24 Ashok Kumar Fellowship Scheme.

POST, in partnership with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and the Materials Processing Institute are offering a three-month Fellowship to engineers who have recently completed a degree at undergraduate Masters level or above, in a discipline related to chemical or process engineering, or have equivalent industry experience. 

This Fellowship is an exciting opportunity to gain real-world experience of how research evidence is communicated to decision makers. 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.

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 November 2023 and May 2024. 

The deadline for applications is Sunday 25 June 2023. 

More information about the fellowship, including who is eligible and 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.    

For they’re jolly good Fellows…

Did you know that in the last 7 years Parliament has hosted more than 77 Fellows?

Many Fellows join us to work with select committees, library teams and POST on a wide range of projects from modern slavery to mental health law, from post-16 education policy to international relations, and from net zero to public order and policing. Colleagues also work in lesser known sections of Parliament such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, the Centre of Excellence for Procedural Practice, and the Parliamentary Art Collection. 

Fellows join us at all career stages from early career researchers to professors and come from all over the UK – as far north as the University of St Andrews and as far south as Bournemouth University. 

Parliament even has a new breed of fellows – the Thematic Research Leads (TRLs). The TRLs work in policy analysis and research hubs to support parliamentary colleagues to access and engage with academic experts. They also innovate to introduce new ideas, streamline processes and make the best use of available research to inform Parliament’s legislative, debate and scrutiny functions. We will be announcing new opportunities for TRL fellowships towards the end of 2023. 

So what?

Fellows, the expertise and skills they bring, are greatly valued by the House. Fellowships provide insight into the workings of Parliament and provide in-depth everyday knowledge gained through submersion into the core parliamentary teams engaging with research. Fellows make contacts (and friends!) across a broad network of parliamentary staff and tell us that the learning and experiences gained bring a fresh perspective to their research, supports their research impact, and helps inform their institutional approach in engaging with policy. Fellows also receive a range of development and enrichment activities during their time in Parliament and tell us it’s nice to use their expertise in different ways, and feel and see that they are making an impact.     

More information: