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 currently accepting written evidence (compiled 24 April 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.

New calls for evidence launched since 24 April:

All inquiries currently accepting 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. 

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”.

POSTnotes open for contributions

POSTnotes are short evidence briefings produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST).

POSTnotes review emerging areas of research and are widely read by Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff. 

How can I contribute?

To contribute evidence to a POSTnote email the contact listed above a short introduction to yourself and your research

  • state which POSTnote you are responding to
  • briefly outline your area of expertise relevant to the POSTnote
  • you can also mention relevant skills, experience and knowledge
  • provide a link to your online profile
  • provide open access links to your most relevant published papers and blogs 

A few paragraphs are all that are needed. The POST colleague will be in touch if they need further information.

Last chance! 
Researchers who wish to contribute evidence or expertise to the Reducing Plastic Waste POSTnote should email Konstantinos Panagiotidis before 6 May 2024. 

Coming soon!
There are no new POSTnotes opening this week but we anticipate new opportunities to contribute to be announced next week – so watch this space! 

Until then, here are the POSTnotes still accepting contributions:

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.

2024/2025 Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) POST Westminster Fellowship scheme

Applications are open for the 2024/2025 Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) POST Westminster Fellowship scheme. This is open to RSC members who are undertaking or have recently finished their PhD studies.  

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on 17 May 2024.  

About the scheme 

POST and the RSC are offering a 13-week fellowship to members of the RSC. There is one funded fellowship available. 

The successful applicant will be based in UK Parliament, supporting its use of research evidence. Most fellows assist POST in providing briefing material for parliamentarians on emerging science topics. Work may include: 

  • Producing a POSTnote or POSTbrief (briefing documents to help inform the work of MPs and Peers) or contributing to a longer briefing report. 
  • Assisting a select committee in an ongoing inquiry. 
  • Organising a seminar to inform or disseminate research. 

Who is eligible to apply? 

The scheme is open to members of the RSC who are undertaking or have recently completed their PhD study. “Recently completed” applies to people whose PhD funding ended within the six months prior to the application deadline (if your funding ended before 17 November 2023, you are not eligible for this fellowship). 

How to apply 

It is important that you download and read the application pack before applying, as it contains more details on the role, application process, and assessment criteria. 

You can find the rest of the details about the fellowship scheme here. 

Commons Library website

The House of Commons Library provides politically impartial research, analysis, statistics and information to help MPs to scrutinise legislation, prepare for debates, develop policies and support their constituents. We publish our research at commonslibrary.parliament.uk and we know that academics use our site regularly.

We are currently carrying out research to better understand how academics find and use the content on our website, with a view to improving the site and ensuring it meets our users’ needs.

We really want to hear more about how you use the Library website and would be very interested to have a 30-40 minute call with you to discuss your views. Please contact Ed Knight (knightec@parliament.uk) if you would like to participate and we will organise a call. 

If you take part and would like to receive an email confirming you have fed into the development of the House of Commons Library as a research platform, this can be arranged.

Why should I engage? 
The Commons Library delivers 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. Published outputs from the Library can help deepen your knowledge of key policy issues and legislation relating to your research. 

More information:
Explore the House of Commons Library website and briefings here. 
View published Library data and tools here.

No one puts the Lord Speaker in the Corner

We’ve made an exciting discovery this week: the Lord Speaker has a podcast! In his podcast, ‘Lord Speaker’s Corner’, the Lord Speaker interviews different members of the House of Lords. He asks them all sorts of questions about their background, their interests and their perspectives. Recent episodes include with Baroness Young of Hornsey, and Astronomer Royal Lord Rees of Ludlow.

So what?
These podcasts are a great way to get to know Parliament’s Lords and Baronesses and hear from the people behind the titles. The insights the podcasts enable give you a great way to see how the Members of the House of Lords tick, and, in so doing, think about how to adapt your engagement with them accordingly.

More information
Find Lord Speaker’s Corner here and in your favourite podcast app.