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).

Select committee inquiries launched in the last week (since 15 June 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”.

Express your interest in partnering with UK Parliament’s Heritage Collections 

Parliament’s Heritage Collections welcome expressions of interest for arts, heritage, and humanities-related projects and partnerships. 

In particular, they encourage researchers to enquire about working with their collections as part of the British Academy’s SHAPE Involve and Engage scheme (closing date 28 June 2023) or to consider them as a Project Partner on a relevant UKRI bid or other eligible funding scheme.  They are also open to conversations about informal academic partnerships and about potential collaborative doctoral partnerships (via prospective students or supervisors at HEIs). 

The Heritage Collections comprise three national collections: art; historic furniture and decorative arts; and detached architectural fabric.  The team are responsible for around 26,000 items (more than half of which are in use or on display at any time).  They have a broad range of practical, curatorial, collections, and research expertise.  Across Parliament and through external partnerships they continue to develop our understanding of our unique and expanding collections of visual and material culture.

Researchers interested in any aspect of their collections are invited to get in contact with Heritage Collections to discuss prospective projects and actively encourage diverse perspectives and methodologies.

Contact heritagecollections@parliament.uk or visit the Heritage Collections website to find out more.

Why should I engage? Engaging with Parliament Heritage Collections provides a key opportunity for Arts and Humanities Researchers to engage with UK Parliament. Researchers will have the opportunity to learn about Parliament’s extensive collection, and to potentially demonstrate the impact of their research. It is also an opportunity to develop new lines of research.

More information:  Find out more information about the Parliament Heritage Collections. Find out more about the SHAPE Involve and Engage Scheme. Information for researchers interested in Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships can find out more on the UKRI website.

Last chance: Apply for a Parliamentary Academic Fellowship

There are just a few days left to apply for one of our exciting and important Parliamentary Academic Fellowship projects. The current fellowship opportunities are:

Parliamentary Academic Fellowships are open to university based knowledge exchange professionals and researchers. The scheme provides a unique opportunity to engage and connect with colleagues from UK Parliament and to learn how research fits into 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.”

Ideally, we would like the fellow to dedicate 2 days per week to their fellowship for one year starting in October 2023. However, we encourage flexible working, and welcome proposals for different working patterns, including level of intensity, duration of project, and conducting the project as a fellowship share with one other person.

To find out more about Parliamentary Academic Fellowships visit the KEU website. 

The KEU has intervened in the adjournment debate 

In the House of Commons Chamber each day’s sitting ends with a 30 minute adjournment debate. Individual MPs can apply for an adjournment debate, and it is an opportunity for MPs to raise an issue of importance to them or their constituents. 

An adjournment debate begins with a Government whip stating ‘that this House do now adjourn‘. After this the MP who applied for the debate is invited to speak on the topic, before a Government Minister is given the time to respond. Other MPs are able to request to intervene-or speak- in the adjournment debate. 

The subject matter of adjournment debates can vary greatly. In the last three weeks there have been adjournment debates on service family accommodation, transport accessibility, stem cell transplant patients and the Coventry City of Culture Trust. 

So what?
Adjournment debates are often inspired by MP’s conversations with constituents and members of the public. Share your research with your local MP, highlighting why you think it’s important that this topic is raised in Parliament. Your local MP may apply for an adjournment debate to take place on this issue and your research may be referenced in their speech in the House of Commons Chamber. 

In addition to contacting your local MP, you can also contact MPs who are interested in a field related to your research. Researchers can use the search function on the Hansard website, to identify Members who have spoken in debates related to your subject area
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Find your local MP
Visit the Hansard website to search for debates related to your research 
Find out more about adjournment debates