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 24 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.

*Special Public Bill Committees are committees which are empowered to take written and oral evidence on a bill. Following such evidence taking, the Committee is able to amend the bill before reporting it to the House.

Select committee inquiries launched in the last two weeks (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.

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”.

Contribute to a recently announced POSTnote

POSTnotes are short briefings produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) which review emerging areas of research for Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. POST has announced they will begin preparing nine new POSTnotes and welcomes contact from researchers with relevant research in the topic area. The new POSTnotes will cover:

Reform of the Mental Health Act – Impacts on people with autism and people with learning difficulties | To contribute your expertise or literature email fosterdb@parliament.uk

Diet, nutrition and cancer | To contribute your expertise or literature email stantone@parliament.uk

Public health impacts of heat and humidity | To contribute your expertise or literature email bunnsk@parliament.uk

Disinformation | To contribute your expertise or literature email surawystepneye@parliament.uk

Trust in broadcasters and news providers | To contribute your expertise or literature email bettisj@parliament.uk

Supply of semi-conductors | To contribute your expertise or literature email woodsdb@parliament.uk

The hydrogen backbone | To contribute your expertise or literature email oxbyj@parliament.uk

6G – Next generation mobile communication technologies | To contribute your expertise or literature email post@parliament.uk

Cybersecurity of the metaverse | To contribute your expertise or literature email brawleys@parliament.uk

Why should I engage? POSTnotes are used by Members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords and UK Parliament staff to navigate complex research. Contributing to a POSTnote is a good way of feeding your expertise into the UK Parliament as part of a trusted, impartial publication. All contributors are acknowledged when the POSTnote is published. On publication, you and your organisation’s communications team will be notified to publicise the POSTnote and your contribution. Therefore your contribution can help raise your profile and promote your research. 

More information: Find out more about contributing to a POSTnote as an expert. For queries about POST or POSTnotes contact POST.

Share your insights on unemployment-related benefit claims in London

An MP’s office is seeking experts and information on the disproportionate rise in unemployment related benefit claims in London since the Covid-19 pandemic. Please complete this form to share your details if you have research or expertise in this area and are interested in collaborating with the MP’s team to further understanding on this topic. 

There has been a large increase in the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits in the UK since the start of the pandemic*, but the increase is particularly large in London. The increase in the claimant count (rate) in London from March 2020 to September 2023 was around 120,000, yet the increase in unemployment was around 12,000 during this period.

The Member of Parliament is particularly interested to hear from researchers and experts on any of the following questions:

  • reasons for the disproportionate increase in the London claimant rate compared to other areas of the UK
  • the influence of changes to benefit rules (or other policy decisions) on the disproportionate increase of claimants in London
  • the impact of cost of living or other pressures on the disproportionate increase 
  • geographical factors
  • time factors associated with the post-pandemic period
  • any other elements that research or experience suggest are having an impact on the disproportionate increase of claimants in London

You do not need to respond to all of the points listed.

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

To share your details with the MP’s Office, or recommend an expert, please complete this form. The deadline is 23:00, Thursday 22 February.

Why should I engage? Sharing your research insights and expertise with Parliamentarians and their researchers can lead to a range of engagements. The Parliamentarian, or their team, may engage with you directly or ask you to provide a private briefing on this or a related topic. Other opportunities may include providing evidence to support parliamentary scrutiny, engaging with parliamentary library specialists, or participating in a roundtable or seminar.

More information: Find out more about why to engage with Parliament here. Read about how Parliament uses research here.

Last chance: contribute your 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.

If you conduct research around statutory inquiries, there is still time to share your details with the Committee. 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 and other parliamentary 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. 

Thematic Research Leads 2024: updated FAQs

Questions about the new Thematic Research Lead roles? We have updated the Frequently Asked Questions on our website with further information, including on eligibility, funding and intellectual property rights. We will continue to update these FAQs periodically while the call is open.

In case you missed it…

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: 

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.

Knowledge exchange at the Senedd

There are loads of opportunities to engage with the Welsh Parliament as a researcher. These include sharing your expertise with Senedd committees, completing academic fellowships or PhD internships, and contributing to Areas of Research Interest (ARIs). There are several ARIs currently open on the Senedd website:

Did you know?

Our colleagues at the Senedd also have a newsletter for the research community. You can sign up to their mailing list to receive updates on the Senedd’s knowledge exchange programme, including new engagement opportunities (such as committee consultations, fellowships, and expert adviser roles), resources, training, and events.

More information