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 15 November 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 fortnight (since 8 November 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.

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”.

Calling all Hansard users

Are you a Hansard lover?  Do you use the Official Report regularly in your work as a researcher or knowledge mobiliser?

Our lovely Hansard team in the House of Commons are producing a series of blog posts revealing how different sectors use Hansard in the real world. They’re looking for a knowledge mobiliser, a policy professional, and an academic/researcher to chat about how they use Hansard (semi-regularly) to benefit their work. The team will create a blog post on the Parliament website, featuring and crediting your input, so it’s a great opportunity to share your experiences.  

If you’d like to be involved, contact joneshe@parliament.uk.  

Why should I engage? Hansard (the Official Report) is the edited verbatim report of proceedings of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. You can use the Official Report to find out if issues relating to your research have been discussed in Parliament and see which Members might be interested in the topic. By contributing to the Hansard team’s blog, you can showcase how you use this valuable resource to support your work and inspire others to do the same. 

More information: Read the Hansard blog here. Find out more about the Official Report here. 

Development job opportunity: join the Commons Library Social and General Statistics Section

Are you comfortable dealing with data and able to contextualise this for debates and policy discussion? 

The Social and General Statistics Section in the Commons Library is recruiting a Researcher to provide briefings for MPs and their staff on statistics in one or more of the areas covered by the Section. This role is in a House of Commons development grade, also known as the Fast Stream Training Grade. The postholder will be trained to be a Senior Researcher with much of the training done on the job.

If appointed, your core activities could include providing one-off answers to specific requests from MPs and their staff, and contributing to published outputs on legislation and topical issues, in areas such as population, housing, health, social security, social services, education, crime and justice, elections, transport, pensions, energy and the environment.

Interested? You can find out more and apply here. The deadline to apply is Wednesday 6 December 2023.

Why should I apply? Library Researchers play a pivotal role in delivering research and information services for MPs and MPs’ staff by providing politically impartial analysis and statistics covering legislation, topical areas, policy and constituency issues. The Library’s work helps MPs scrutinise legislation, prepare for debates, develop policies and support their constituents. Read about working with the House of Commons Research and Information Service here.  

More information: Find out more and apply by Wednesday 6 December 2023 at 23.55.

Apply to be a Committee Specialist in home affairs and justice policy

Are you a specialist in crime, policing, migration, sentencing or security policy and interested in supporting the work of Select Committees?   

Select Committees are cross-party committees of MPs who examine government policy and spending. The House of Commons Select Committee Team is recruiting for a permanent Committee Specialist to support committee work on home affairs and justice policy and is particularly interested in hearing from individuals with expertise in migration or policing policy. 

 The successful candidate will develop expertise in the relevant committees’ areas of work, and advise on, arrange and lead committee inquiries.

If this sounds like the role for you, you can find out more and apply here by Sunday 3 December 2023. 

Why should I apply? Why should I apply? This is an exciting opportunity to take up a pivotal role at the centre of Parliament’s scrutiny functions. You’ll get to play a significant part in supporting Parliament’s evidence mechanisms. As a specialist in an important policy area, you’ll also share your expertise for the benefit of all House of Commons Select Committees. The role provides great opportunities for network development and career progression.  

More information:  You can apply for the role here. Don’t miss the deadline of Sunday 3 December 2023 at 23:55. 

It’s Friday, I’m in… 

…the House of Commons Chamber considering a Private Member’s bill – where else?

On 16 November, twenty MPs won a ballot for the chance to be one of the first to introduce a Private Members’ bill (PMB) on a subject of their choice this session. PMBs are public bills introduced by MPs and Peers who are not government ministers. There are three ways in which an MP can table a PMB, but ballot bills have the best chance of becoming law, as they get priority for the limited amount of debating time available during dedicated Friday sittings. In the 2022-23 session, 16 bills from the Commons’ ballot became law. This session’s ballot bills will have their first reading in the Commons on Wednesday 6 December, and will then be debated over 13 sitting Fridays.  

So what?
Private Members’ bills are a great way to find out about the interests of individual MPs and Peers, as well as to find out about changes to legislation which are being proposed. MPs or Members of the Lords may use research insights in the drafting of their Private Members Bills. If you feel strongly about a bill that Parliament is considering, or you think changes should be made to it, you can ask your MP or a Member of the House of Lords to raise an issue on your behalf. You can also send information (submit evidence) directly to a public bill committee during its committee stage in the Commons.  

More information