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 10 January 2024)

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 since 13 December 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”.

In(quiry)ception: call for expertise on statutory inquiries

The Inquiries Act 2005 established a statutory framework for government inquiries into events of public concern. A Lords special inquiry committee has been appointed to undertake further post-legislative scrutiny of the 2005 Act, specifically “to consider the efficacy of the law and practice relating to statutory inquiries” under the Act.

The Committee’s secretariat is looking for academics and researchers with expertise in this area. There may be opportunities for researchers to feed into the work by submitting written evidence or giving oral evidence.

Researchers can express their interest in this opportunity by completing this short form, which includes a brief outline of expertise and, optionally, views on the priority issues in this area.  The Committee welcomes submissions informed by different perspectives, including legal, political, public policy and administration, and other disciplines.

Please consider how you could ensure diversity and inclusion when recommending people or passing this opportunity to your contacts.

The deadline for responding to this call is 9am Monday 5th February 2024.

Complete this form to share your expertise on statutory inquiries.

Why should I engage? Making yourself known to committee 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. 

Reminder: contribute to an ARI on Economic Security

Do you have expertise on economic policy of foreign states, critical supply chains, cybersecurity, international trade or finance? You could help the the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy (JCNSS) extend its knowledge base, obtain more specific information, and engage with new voices.

In December, the JCNSS launched a new Area of Research Interest (ARI) with the International Affairs and National Security Hub. Academics, research institutions and experts with expertise concerning ‘Economic Security’ are invited to complete a short survey about their research: Select Committee Area of Research Interest: Economic Security – POST (parliament.uk)

This ARI supports the JCNSS inquiry on ‘Economic Security’, which is currently accepting formal written evidence until 26 January 2024. Respondents may be invited to provide formal evidence for inclusion in the committee report.

Researchers at all career stages are invited to share their research and insights, and suggest scrutiny questions for the Committee. Those who respond to the ARI survey will be entered onto a database of experts who may be contacted by parliamentary staff in order to help them scrutinise this area of interest.

Why should I engage? ARIs, and the research and insights which you contribute in response to them, help to support committees’ scrutiny of government. When you register on the repository, parliamentary staff will be able to access your research to inform their work. They may also contact you when they are seeking experts to contribute to the committee’s work. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament.

More information: Find out more about the Economic Security ARI.

What’s in a name?

What do the BBC, extreme weather and civil service whistleblowing have in common? No, it’s not the start of a bad joke. All three currently feature in Public Accounts Committee inquiries.

Those of you who read this week’s round-up closely may have noticed a flurry of new inquiries from the Public Accounts Committee. This Committee scrutinises the value for money—the economy, efficiency and effectiveness—of public spending and generally holds the government and its civil servants to account for the delivery of public services. The Committee looks at how rather than why public money has been spent.

So what?

You’d be forgiven for thinking that a Committee appointed to examine “the accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament to meet the public expenditure” was the realm of finance buffs. However, the broad remit of the Public Accounts Committee means it frequently open inquiries into highly interdisciplinary topics. Committees are keen to hear from a diverse range of perspectives. Even if a Committee’s remit seems unclear, or unrelated to your research area, it’s still worth submitting evidence if you have relevant expertise on an open topic of inquiry.

More information