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 two weeks (since 9 February 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 three weeks (since 2 February 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”.

We need you!

Share your expertise on unemployment and benefits. 

We’re still searching for experts on unemployment and benefits. Please circulate our below call among your networks and encourage experts with related interests to respond. We’re seeking both research evidence and experts who can provide insight into the below topic.  

An MP’s office is seeking experts and information on unemployment and factors impacting the uptake of benefits. The contact received will help to inform understanding 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 unemployment or factors impacting uptake of benefits. It will take between 5 and 15 minutes to share your expertise.

We are extending the deadline on this call to encourage more experts to come forward. We welcome contact from researchers at all career stages. 

If you are interested in collaborating directly with an MP’s team to further their understanding on this topic please complete this form. The new deadline for responses is 23:00 on Thursday 7 March.

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.

Insider info: the TRL climate and environment role 

Next in our series of insider info on the Thematic Research Leads we feature Professor Tamsin Edwards who is the TRL for Climate and Environment. 

Read about Professor Tamsin Edwards’ experience as TRL for Climate and Environment

Here are some snippets to whet your appetite:

Being a Thematic Research Lead has been transformative. Not only have I participated in the workings of Parliament – such as advising cross-party scrutiny of Government policies on climate and environmental science by Select Committees, or writing House of Commons Library briefings for MPs and peers on COP28 and UK progress to net zero – but I’ve also had the opportunity to bring change…

As a Thematic Research Lead, I’ve had a lot of freedom to choose how to develop the role of climate and environment research in the work of Parliament. We were all immediately put in positions of leadership and trust…

A big part of this role has been learning how to make decisions with broad consultation and consensus – this is quite different from academia, which often rewards the solo expert striking out independently, but I’ve found it a much more effective and ultimately productive way to work. It’s all about bringing people along with you in your ideas, and delivering something that people really want and need, rather than just forging ahead on your own. 

Being at the forefront of this change in Parliament – as one of the first TRLs – has been incredibly exciting and rewarding. I have learned a huge amount: not only about Parliamentary processes, which has been fascinating, but also how to work effectively across different disciplines and with people that have a wide variety of expertise, priorities and values.

Follow this link for more information or to apply for one of the eight new TRL roles. The deadline for applications is 3 March 2024. The roles are open to mid career researchers. If you have recently applied for promotion to Professor you can find out more about eligibility for the role in our TRL FAQ document.

If you missed our TRL Information Session for prospective applicants you can watch it back (scroll to the bottom of the webpage to locate the video). The slides from the information session are also available for you to download.

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.

IPEN Senior Research and Engagement Officer

We’re sharing this opportunity on behalf of our friends at IPEN. 

Are you interested in connecting citizens with politics, and helping parliaments work together to make the most of academic research as well as each other’s experiences? This job – or secondment – could be for you, and will help you build research, organisational and communication skills. You would work as part of a project within the International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN) in partnership with Inter Pares and produce a set of resources on citizen engagement with parliaments. Further details can be found on this webpage. Apply online before 26 February.

Why should I engage? This position offers an exciting opportunity to help parliaments around the world improve how they engage with their citizens, through making the most of academic research, and drawing on the lessons learnt and experiences of other parliaments. The Senior Research and Engagement Officer will work with international academics, parliamentary officials, and third sector representatives in the International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN) and their partners in Inter Pares. They will produce a set of evidence-based resources on citizen engagement with parliaments, while building their research, organisational and communication skills.

More information: find out more about this vacancy here. 

Update: contribute your evidence to a 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. 

Closed: The POSTnote on Increasing the resilience of landscapes and habitats to wildfires is no longer accepting contributions from researchers.

Open: POST welcomes contact from researchers with relevant research in the below topic areas. Researchers are encouraged to get in touch via the email address if they wish to contribute their evidence to these POSTnotes:

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.

Reminder: British Psychological Society: POST PhD fellowship

POST and the British Psychology Society (BPS) are offering a funded (£7,922.50) 13-week fellowship to PhD students in a psychology-related subject who are a Member of the British Psychological Society.

The successful applicant will be based in UK Parliament, supporting its use of research evidence. Please visit the BPS website to find out how to apply.

Applications close on Sunday 10 March 2024. 

Why should I engage? POST’s PhD fellowships offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the epicentre of policy-making from the inside. By the end of their time at POST, fellows learn how to write for policy with balance and impartiality. They also develop a unique understanding of Westminster and forge important relationships with key stakeholders, while often delving into a novel and exciting topic of research. Find out more about what a POST fellowship is like and the opportunities it can lead to.

More information: Find out more about POST fellowships. Watch an interview with a previous POST fellow to learn about her experience.

Last chance: Lobbying and Political Ethics, and Constitutional Law Fellowships

This is the final call for colleagues interested in working with the House of Commons’ Parliament, Public Administration and Constitution Hub, or the Commons Library’s Parliament and Constitution Centre.

Apply for these exciting Parliamentary Academic Fellowship opportunities:

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. 

A picture paints a thousand words

It’s a myth that Parliament is only interested in science and technology – in fact Parliament is interested in everything that makes up our society. However, it can be a challenge to know how to share creative arts research with Parliament.

Did you know that you can hold an exhibition in Parliament?

Exhibitions are usually held in the Upper Waiting Hall of the House of Commons. If you would like to showcase your work through an exhibition ask your local MP, or another MP who has a keen interest in your exhibition topic, to sponsor your exhibition. Exhibitions run for one week and only when the House is sitting. Preference is given to exhibitions which have an art or design focus or are relevant to Parliament, e.g., linked to a select committee or Parliamentary commemorative projects

So what?

Heritage and art collections can be found at every step within the Palace of Westminster, they’re part of the fabric of parliamentary life. Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff regularly pause to engage with new displays and visual content. The exhibitions held within the Upper Waiting Hall are particularly prominent as their key location is on the main route to the select committee rooms, meaning your exhibition will be experienced by a wide range of staff and parliamentarians.

More information: