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).

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Select committee inquiries launched in the last week (since 29 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.

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 22 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”.

Select committee petitions launched in the last week (since 29 June 2023)

  • Submit a Petition | Holocaust Memorial Bill Select Committee | Monday 24 July 2023
  • Submit a Petition | High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill Select Committee | Tuesday 15 August 2023

Select Committees have been set up to oversee both the Holocaust Memorial Bill’s petitioning period and that of the High Speed Rail (Crewe – Manchester) Bill. These Committees provide individuals and bodies directly and specifically affected by the Bills with the opportunity to object to the Bill’s specific provisions and to seek its amendment. This can be done through submitting a petition against the Bill. 

Committee Specialist – Welsh Affairs

The Welsh Affairs committee is seeking a Committee Specialist to work in the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Team for a 12 month secondment or fixed term appointment. Select committees are cross-party committees of MPs who examine government policy and spending. The position is full time but a request to job share will be considered.  

You will be part of a small team who work collaboratively to support the Welsh Affairs Select Committee. The committee is responsible for scrutinising the expenditure, administration and policies of the Wales Office, and the policies of the UK Government as a whole that have an impact in Wales. You can find out more about the committee’s work on its website.

As a Committee Specialist, you will collaborate with colleagues to provide policy advice and analysis. You will be asked to develop expertise in the committee’s area of work. You will work closely with the MPs who chair and sit on the committee, as well as engaging with high-profile individuals and organisations in the public, private and third sectors within the committee’s areas of interest.

Early on, you are likely to be asked to:

  • identify suitable people to speak to the committee, prepare briefing material and questions for witnesses,
  • attend committee events and meetings, and events relevant to its area of work,
  • conduct analysis of evidence, produce drafts of committee outputs, including correspondence, media and social media materials and, in particular, committee reports.

As you develop your skills and experience, you will take on more responsibilities. These are likely to include:

  • advising on possible subjects for the committee to examine, including terms of reference and calls for evidence for inquiries,
  • providing advice during committee meetings,
  • proposing, designing and organising committee events, public engagement and visits (possibly including overseas), and
  • maintaining up-to-date knowledge about the committee’s subject area through research and by building on relevant external contacts and networks.

Apply
More information on the role and the link to apply is available here. Please note the very short deadline to apply for this role – applications must be received by Sunday 9 July at 23:55. Interviews are likely to be held on 17 July through MS Teams.

More information
More information on select committees

Why should I engage? Being a committee specialist allows individuals to work at the heart of parliamentary scrutiny and experience working within a select committee team. Specialists become involved in a wide cross-section of work including informing inquiry work, preparing briefing materials for MPs, selecting oral witnesses, helping to run inquiries, analysing evidence, developing reports and preparing conclusions. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. And find more on engagement for impact here.   

More information: watch a short video with researchers who’ve provided specialist advice in a variety of ways.

Reminder: UK Civil Service experts wanted

There is still time to register yourself, or a colleague, as an expert on the UK’s Civil Service. The Parliament and Constitution Centre in the House of Commons Library would like to reach out and build their knowledge of academics with expertise in the UK’s Civil Service, including:

  • the constitutional position of the Civil Service;
  • the provision of advice to ministers;
  • what constitutes good leadership in the Civil Service;
  • Ministers’ role in hiring, firing and promotion of Civil Service leaders; and
  • accountability of Ministers and Officials for policy formulation.

The committee’s secretariat is also interested in identifying experts who can bring comparative perspectives from which the UK could benefit. 

If you have expertise in one of the above areas, or know a researcher who does, we would really appreciate you sharing a few details on your expertise on this short form, or forwarding it on to them to complete themselves, so that parliamentary staff conducting work in this area can more easily draw on your expertise and research.  

The form asks you or the researcher to outline their expertise (100 words maximum), provide a link to their university profile, provide a link demonstrating their public speaking (optional), and to provide their contact information.

The deadline to respond is Thursday 20 July 2023.

Why should I engage? Making yourself known to committee and Library staff can lead to opportunities to contribute your expertise and insights to Parliament. These may include being called to give oral evidence, contributing to a briefing, or participating in a roundtable or seminar. 

More information: Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. And find more on engagement for impact here.   

Welcome to Parliament!

When you think of Parliament do you think of the Palace of Westminster? Or perhaps the chambers of the House of Commons or House of Lords? The Parliamentary Estate consists of several buildings and one that you, or your colleagues, are likely to visit is Portcullis House. Portcullis House opened in 2021 and was designed by Hopkins Architects who also designed the Glyndebourne Opera House and the London 2012 Velodrome. It’s a vibrant space and has a magnificent glass domed ceiling so do look up when you visit.  

So what?

You might be asked to visit Portcullis House if you, or a colleague, is invited to meet with a parliamentarian, attend a round table or another event. You can also attend select committee proceedings in person in Portcullis House. Being prepared can help overcome any nerves you might feel, so here’s the KEU’s guide to visiting. 

Portcullis House has its own entrance and the queue to pass through security is usually quicker than some of the other public entrances to Parliament. When visiting Parliament it’s important to bring your invitation or the meeting request you were supplied with to gain access to the building. Without this you may be delayed or denied entry, so if your invite is electronic keep that phone charged!  Many guests often bring photo ID too, but it’s a myth that this is required by security. Do allow plenty of time (15+ minutes) to pass through the security checks. You, and your belongings, will pass through airport style security when you enter the building. Information on security and items that you are not permitted to bring into Parliament can be found on this webpage.  

Once through security your host may escort you to the meeting room or a waiting area nearby, or a colleague will provide clear directions to the room. Do ask about amenities you may wish to visit on the way for your personal comfort. The Portcullis House rooms are modern and welcoming and the quiet waiting areas are a good place to gather your thoughts and refresh yourself before attending the meeting. Guest Wifi is available.

Parliament has a range of facilities to help visitors with accessibility needs. You can watch a 10 minute video to help you plan your visit.  

We hope you’ll enjoy your meetings and events in Parliament. Remember if you love visiting the building you (and your family and friends) can take a guided tour of the palace too.

More information: