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 17 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 in the last two weeks (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.

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”.

Apply to be a Committee Specialist (immigration policy)

The House of Commons Select Committee Team is seeking a Committee Specialist to work with the Home Affairs Select Committee Team. Select committees are cross-party committees of MPs who examine government policy and spending. Applications are welcome from candidates who wish to work full-time, part-time, as part of a job share or through another form of flexible working arrangement.  

Most of your work will be with a friendly team of around eight who support the Home Affairs Select Committee. The Committee examines the policy, work and spending of the Home Office and its associated public bodies. Its recent and current work includes inquiries into drugs policy, migration, asylum, people trafficking, policing, violence against women and girls, and fraud. You can find out more about the Committee’s work on its website. 

As a Committee Specialist, you will work collaboratively with colleagues to provide policy advice and analysis for the Home Affairs Committee. You may also be asked to support other Select Committees. You will be asked to develop expertise in the relevant committees’ areas of work. You will advise on, arrange, and lead committee inquiries. You will provide written and oral briefing to support committee hearings and produce reports to communicate committee findings. You will also support committee media and public engagement work and work closely with the MPs who chair and sit on the committee(s), as well as engaging with high-profile individuals and organisations in the public, private and third sectors within committee 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 or committees 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); 
  • maintaining up-to-date knowledge about the committee subject areas through research and by building on relevant external contacts and networks. 

The deadline to apply is Sunday 11 February, 23:55. More information on the role and the link to apply is available here. 

Job opportunity: Committee Specialist (public policy in the context of devolution)

The House of Commons Select Committee Team is seeking a Committee Specialist to work with the Scottish Affairs Select Committee Team. Select committees are cross-party committees of MPs who examine government policy and spending. Applications are welcome from candidates who wish to work full-time, part-time, as part of a job share or through another form of flexible working arrangement.  

Most specialist roles support a specific committee. Some specialists work as part of a policy-based ‘unit’ supporting committees working on related topics, or in the Scrutiny Unit, which supports the work of all committees. The first placed candidate for this role will be working with the Scottish Affairs Committee. Other posts in similar roles may become available.

As a Committee Specialist, you will work collaboratively with colleagues to provide policy advice and analysis for the Scottish Affairs Committee. You will be asked to develop expertise in the relevant committees’ areas of work. You will advise on, arrange, and lead committee inquiries. You will provide written and oral briefing to support committee hearings and produce reports to communicate committee findings. You will also support committee media and public engagement work and work closely with the MPs who chair and sit on the committee(s), as well as engaging with high-profile individuals and organisations in the public, private and third sectors within committee 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 or committees 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);
  • maintaining up-to-date knowledge about the committee subject areas through research and by building on relevant external contacts and networks. 

The deadline to apply is Sunday 11 February, 23:55. More information on the role and the link to apply is available here. 

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 select committees here.

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

Parliamentary Academic Fellowships: extended funding deadline

Interested in working with the House of Commons’ Parliament, Public Administration and Constitution Hub, or the Commons Library’s Parliament and Constitution Centre? Apply to join us as a Parliamentary Academic Fellow.

A couple of weeks ago, we shared two new exciting Parliamentary Academic Fellowship opportunities:

New deadline for funding confirmation

The deadline to confirm your proposed source of funding for these two Fellowships has been extended. You will now need to submit proof of application to your proposed funding source prior to interview, and provide confirmation funding has been approved within four weeks of receiving a fellowship offer.

Find out more

Fellowships are a key way that research and researchers can impact Parliament. Outcomes for fellows who have participated in the Scheme have included: research impact, increased knowledge of Parliament, and developed networks. They have also included impact on career, impact on own research agenda, publications, and impacts on teaching.

You can find more information about both opportunities on our website.

The deadline to apply is 23:55, Sunday 25 February 2024. 

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 Academic Fellowships at UK Parliament here. And find information about the outcomes and impacts arising from previous fellowships here. 

Thematic Research Leads 2024: information session & FAQs

Thinking of applying for one of the new Thematic Research Lead roles?

In December, we launched 8 new Thematic Research Lead roles in partnership with UKRI. We are recruiting to eight positions from a broad range of scientific and research disciplines: 

Last week we held an online information session about the Thematic Research Leads 2024-26 recruitment. The session gave an overview of the role and the application process, and tips on how to apply, as well as sharing the experiences of current Thematic Research Leads. For those who missed it, the recording is now available to watch. We have also published a list of Frequently Asked Questions, which we will update periodically during the recruitment window. You can find the recording and FAQs, along with a copy of the slides and transcript from the information session on our website.

Applications are still open and we would be grateful if you could share these opportunities with any researchers in your network who might be interested. We’re particularly keen to reach academics in Business, Economics and Trade, International Affairs and National Security, and Transport disciplines.

Find more information on Thematic Research Leads and how to apply on our website. The deadline to apply is Sunday 3 March 2024.

Why should I engage? Thematic Research Leads are prestigious and influential new roles, designed in partnership with UKRI to facilitate and enhance the use of research evidence and expertise in Parliament through effective knowledge exchange, collaboration and processes. Each TRL leads on a specific policy area. Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here.

More information:  Find more information about the Thematic Research Lead scheme here.

Early days for presidents and pies

Early day motions (EDMs) are motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons for which no day has been fixed. Early Day Motions (EDMs) are used by MPs in the Commons to draw the attention of the House to a particular issue, event or campaign. Other MPs may show their support for an EDM by adding their own signature to it.

As there is no specific time allocated to EDMs very few are debated. However, many attract a great deal of public interest and media coverage. Topics covered by EDMs vary widely. Here are some examples of EDMs submitted in January 2024:

So what?
EDMs are used to put on record the views of individual MPs or to draw attention to specific events or campaigns. By attracting the signatures of other MPs, they can be used to demonstrate the level of parliamentary support for a particular cause or point of view. A quick look at the EDMs database will give you an idea of what topics MPs are interested in at the moment – and which MPs are interested in a particular topic.

More information