These are highlights from the opportunities compiled by UK Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit (KEU) in their 15 May roundup with reference to Arts and Humanities disciplines. 

Take a look at the KEU’s webhub of information and resources for researchers for further information on how to get involved. 

These opportunities and resources have been sent to members of the research community who receive the KEU weekly round-up. In a few weeks, they will only be sent to subscribers who opt in. If you’d like to opt in to receive these Arts and Humanities highlights, please follow this link to update your communications preferences.

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All Arts and Humanities Researchers

All Arts and Humanities researchers might be interested in submitting evidence, as researchers, on UKRI’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, and the extent to which UKRI’s management of grants is consistent with the principles of good funding support for research and innovation.  

If you currently set assessments related to policy-making, or otherwise train students in the skills necessary for communicating research to policy (or would like to!) then you might be interested in the Community of Practice which has been set up by POST, the KEU and UPEN, focussed on how research communication for policy can be used within assessments and curricula in Higher Education. At the moment, this involves filling in a short EOI. 

Archaeology 

This inquiry may benefit from input from archaeologists as it looks to answer the question “is the construction of new towns and expanded settlements practicable and achievable?”. For reference, the Committee asks that all submissions consider five core values which “reflect the popular consensus on what make a good new town”: wellbeing, accessibility, connectivity, sustainability and longevity.  

Archaeology may potentially give insight into the causes underpinning these regional differences for this POSTnote. 

Archaeology may also give insight into multifunctional land-use in the past. If you are interested, please contribute to this POSTnote via this form. 

Architecture and Design

This inquiry may benefit from input from architecture and design as it looks to answer the question “is the construction of new towns and expanded settlements practicable and achievable?”. For reference, the Committee asks that all submissions consider five core values which “reflect the popular consensus on what make a good new town”: wellbeing, accessibility, connectivity, sustainability and longevity. 

This POSTnote may be of interest, given possible insight from architecture and design for past, current and potential future multifunctional land-use, and how architecture and design might help meet the challenges posed by the competing demand for housing, infrastructure, food, energy and nature recovery, climate mitigation and adaptation. Contribute via this form. 

Classics

This POSTnote may be of interest, given possible insight from Classics of multifunctional land-use in the past, and how ancient communities governed land-use. If you are interested, you can contribute via this form.  

Cultural and Museum Studies

This inquiry may be of interest to researchers in cultural studies and pop culture as well as gender and sexuality studies. 

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest to researchers in cultural studies and pop culture as well as (potentially) gender and sexuality studies. 

This POSTnote will summarise the factors that affect winter mortality and outline evidence for policies to prevent excess winter deaths. This might involve prescribing engagement with arts as a means of overcoming social isolation, and so research on that practice (and its effectiveness) might be relevant. Relatedly, you might have insight into the provision of “warm spaces” by cultural institutions, and the impact of this on winter mortality. Contributions can be made via this form.

Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Programme is calling for researchers and experts with relevant research and expertise to make themselves known to the programme via this form. The programme seeks to tap into emerging research on the value of cultural and heritage institutions. The research will be used to contextualise and enrich the decision-making process undertaken by Members of both Houses as different options for restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster are considered.

Creative and Performing Arts, Drama, Theatre, Film, Music, Visual Arts, Digital Art and Design, Life- and/or Creative Writing and Arts Policy Management

This inquiry might benefit from insights from people working in, and researching, the creative and performing arts, as it asks “How prevalent are misogynistic views, attitudes and behaviour among young people today, particularly in educational settings? What examples are there of these views, attitudes and behaviours? In what other settings are such behaviours prevalent?”, for which knowledge about misogynistic content in art, music, film, TV etc. may be relevant. 

This POSTnote may be of interest, especially to researchers working on the extent to which engagement with art(s) affects healthy life expectancy. Your contributions can be emailed to post@parliament.uk.

This POSTnote may benefit from insight from people studying creative imaginings of airspace defence (e.g. in video games or films) and the impact this has on real-world defence design and expectations.

This POSTnote will summarise the factors that affect winter mortality and outline evidence for policies to prevent excess winter deaths. This might involve prescribing engagement with arts as a means of overcoming social isolation, and so research on that practice (and its effectiveness) might be relevant. Relatedly, you might have insight into the provision of “warm spaces” by cultural institutions, and the impact of this on winter mortality. Contributions can be made via this form.

Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Programme is calling for researchers and experts with relevant research and expertise to make themselves known to the programme via this form. The programme seeks to tap into emerging research on the value of cultural and heritage institutions. The research will be used to contextualise and enrich the decision-making process undertaken by Members of both Houses as different options for restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster are considered.

Development Studies (and Area Studies)

Some Area Studies experts may have useful insight for this POSTnote on from the experience, policy or practice of other countries. 

The POSTnote may also be of interest, given possible insight from area and development studies of multifunctional land-use, and its governance, in other countries, and how this is impacted by cultural, religious and/or historic factors. Contribute via this form.

This POSTnote will summarise the factors that affect winter mortality and outline evidence for policies to prevent excess winter deaths. Research from Area Studies about the cultural reasons for lower rates of winter mortality in colder European countries might make a useful contribution (via this form). 

Diplomacy, International Relations and War Studies

  • Women, Peace and Security – International Development Committee – 16 May 2025 – “however, the Committee will strive to consider written evidence submissions that arrive after this date”.

This inquiry is interested in the extent to which the UK Government integrates Women, Peace and Security principles across its ODA funded programming; examples of successful programmes and initiatives; current trends; the UK’s international role; and the sustainability of the UK Government’s WPS efforts. Researchers investigating the relationship between international relations and the culture, religion and history of relevant regions and countries may have useful insight for the Committee, as well as those who are more concerned with social and economic impacts. Similarly, researchers working on diplomacy with an interest in defence policy may have relevant findings for the Committee. 

  • AUKUS – Defence Committee – 30 May 2025. 

This inquiry asks how far changes in the geopolitical situation have affected the assumptions which underpinned the partnership when it was announced in 2021, and whether these now present a threat to the success of AUKUS. 

This inquiry may be of relevance to scholars in diplomacy, especially questions of cost-efficiency. 

This POSTnote may benefit from insight from War Studies/IR scholars working from an Arts and Humanities perspective/discipline, for example on the history of policy and practice around this issue. 

Gender Studies

Researchers approaching gender studies from within an Arts and Humanities  perspective and/or with Arts and Humanities methodologies may be interested in this inquiry. 

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest. 

Geography (especially cultural and/or historical geography)

This inquiry may benefit from input from cultural and historical geographers as it looks to answer the question “is the construction of new towns and expanded settlements practicable and achievable?”. For reference, the Committee asks that all submissions consider five core values which “reflect the popular consensus on what make a good new town”: wellbeing, accessibility, connectivity, sustainability and longevity.

This inquiry asks specifically about the current understanding of the geographical and socioeconomic distribution of PFAs. This may be something cultural geographers have insight into which might inform the Committee’s line of questioning. 

This inquiry may be of interest to cultural geographers.

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest to cultural geographers. 

This POSTnote may be of interest to cultural and historical geographers who have insight into the causes underpinning these regional differences. 

This POSTnote will summarise the factors that affect winter mortality. It will outline evidence for policies to prevent excess winter deaths. Some key factors in winter mortality (e.g. social isolation) may be of relevance to cultural geographers. Contribute via this form. 

Heritage and Heritage Management

This POSTnote may also be of interest, especially if you have relevant knowledge on the link between engagement with heritage and healthy life expectancy.

Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Programme is calling for researchers and experts with relevant research and expertise to make themselves known to the programme via this form. The programme seeks to tap into emerging research on the value of cultural and heritage institutions. The research will be used to contextualise and enrich the decision-making process undertaken by Members of both Houses as different options for restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster are considered.

History

This inquiry may benefit from input from historians as it looks to answer the question “is the construction of new towns and expanded settlements practicable and achievable?”. For reference, the Committee asks that all submissions consider five core values which “reflect the popular consensus on what make a good new town”: wellbeing, accessibility, connectivity, sustainability and longevity.  

This inquiry may be of interest to cultural historians. 

This inquiry may benefit from historical research into delivery (or non-delivery) of UK Government “mega-projects” to understand how information has fed into key decisions on projects, and lessons learned.

  • Call Lists – Procedure Committee – No deadline advertised. 

This inquiry may be of interest to political historians.

This POSTnote may also be of interest, especially if you work on the history of medicine, and/or on issues in social, cultural or economic history which might be driving these regional inequalities. 

This POSTnote may be of interest to historians looking at the history of defence. 

This POSTnote will summarise the factors that affect winter mortality and outline evidence for policies to prevent excess winter deaths. Research from historians might help contextualise this issue, and/or raise awareness of long-standing causes (e.g. poor housing or underlying health conditions) in specific areas. Contribute via this form.

This POSTnote may also be of interest, given possible insight from history of multifunctional land-use, and the governance of land-use, in the past. Contribute via this form.  

Law

There are a number of Select Committee inquiries currently calling for evidence where specialists in specific areas of law (e.g. planning, transport, regulation, tax, water, and discrimination) may have expertise which is relevant. In addition, there are inquiries into government fees; the Autism Act; and Improving Family Court Services for Children which may also be of interest to lawyers and legal scholars. (More details below.)

This inquiry may benefit from input from lawyers as it looks to answer the question “is the construction of new towns and expanded settlements practicable and achievable?”. For reference, the Committee asks that all submissions consider five core values which “reflect the popular consensus on what make a good new town”: wellbeing, accessibility, connectivity, sustainability and longevity.

This inquiry asks about UK health and environmental regulators, regulations and regulatory regime for PFAs in the UK and internationally. 

This inquiry is interested in understanding the effectiveness of current regulation. 

This inquiry may benefit from insight from lawyers whose specialism is tax law. 

This inquiry asks for input from researchers exploring how to support autistic people, particularly around questions relating to criminal and youth justice.

This inquiry will ask questions relating to capacity to meet demand; a “whole systems approach”; and how to deliver an effective and efficient service.

This inquiry might be of interest to experts in planning law. 

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest to experts on extremism, Prevent, and online regulation. 

This inquiry will hear from senior officials and NHSE and DHSC on governance and oversight of elective care transformation programmes

This inquiry in looking at the impact of the McCloud judgement and issues of age discrimination. 

This inquiry is interested in how effectively government adheres to HM Treasury’s Managing Public Money guidelines in implementing changes; the legal authority of charging fees; and transparency. Case studies are likely to focus on charges around passports, visas, Companies House fees, driving licence fees, data protection fees, court fees, and gambling licenses. 

This inquiry is interested in risks and barriers to improvement of local bus services. 

This inquiry will question senior officials from Defra and representatives from other relevant bodies on Defra’s ability to establish and manage the structures, systems and governance processes needed to ensure England’s resilience to animal diseases, and whether England is prepared to respond to animal disease outbreaks and could effectively recover.

This inquiry is also interested in questions of governance and oversight arrangements. 

This POSTnote may be of interest, given potential links to human rights, international law and jurisprudence/philosophy of war.

This POSTnote may also be of interest, given possible insight from lawyers on land-use governance. Contribute via this form.

This ARI specifically mentions the question of how effective the existing legislative framework is at recognising and protecting the rights of d/Deaf people and BSL users.

Academics at all career stages, research institutions, and experts are encouraged to register their interest in this ARI, add their existing research and any planned research in this topic area to the ARI repository, and suggest questions that the Committee could be asking the Welsh Government in the short, medium, and long-term.

Library Studies

This POSTnote will summarise the factors that affect winter mortality and outline evidence for policies to prevent excess winter deaths. Insight into the provision of “warm spaces” by libraries and similar institutions, and the impact of this on winter mortality, may be of relevance. Contribute via this form. 

Languages and Literature

This inquiry may be of interest, particularly to researchers in gender and sexuality (and gendered language). 

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology including AI, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest to people studying gender and sexuality, and/or extremist language, the framing of extremism, AI-generated communications, and online communication networks.

This POSTnote may benefit from insight from literature studies on how imaginings of airspace defence (e.g. in science fiction) affect real-world design and expectations. 

Linguistics

This inquiry into  may be of interest, particularly to researchers gendered language.

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology including AI, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest to linguists.

Academics at all career stages, research institutions, and experts are encouraged to register their interest in this ARI, add their existing research and any planned research in this topic area to the ARI repository, and suggest questions that the Committee could be asking the Welsh Government in the short, medium, and long-term.

Media and Communication Studies, and Journalism

This inquiry into may of be interest, especially given its focus on social media, influencers, and online platforms. 

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology including AI, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest. 

This POSTnote may be of interest, especially if you have done any work on how/whether the discourse and narrative around “healthy lives” or “deprived areas” impacts people living in different areas (either negatively or positively). 

This POSTnote may benefit from insight into how threats to UK airspace, and expectations of how they might be thwarted, are expressed, constructed and affected by media discourse. 

Philosophy

This inquiry may be of interest to philosophers studying misogyny and/or the impact of pornography on people’s views, attitudes and behaviour. 

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology including AI, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest to philosophers (including philosophers of language and political philosophers). 

This POSTnote may  be of interest, particularly research on structural inequalities, intersectionality, inter-generational trauma, and/or epistemic justice, and the barriers faced by marginalised communities in accessing the means to life a healthy life. Relatedly, philosophers might have useful contributions to what a “healthy life” means.

This POSTnote will summarise the factors that affect winter mortality and outline evidence for policies to prevent excess winter deaths. This might be of interest to researchers working on the philosophy of death and/or dying (and the impact of related views on policy and people’s actions, both in England and elsewhere, particularly in colder countries). Contribute via this form. 

This POSTnote may be of interest to philosophers given it is interested in how co-production may involve different types of knowledge and expertise. Contribute via this form.

Parliament’s Restoration and Renewal Programme is calling for researchers and experts with relevant research and expertise to make themselves known to the programme via this form. The programme seeks to tap into emerging research on the value of cultural and heritage institutions. The research will be used to contextualise and enrich the decision-making process undertaken by Members of both Houses as different options for restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster are considered. Philosophers who work on ideas around value may have something useful to contribute. 

Political Theory

This inquiry  may be of interest to political philosophers studying misogyny, “the manosphere”, and/or the impact of pornography on people’s views, attitudes and behaviour. 

This inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent may be of interest to political theorists working on extremism, online harm, and/or “mixed, unclear and unstable ideologies”. 

This POSTnote may be of interest, particularly to scholars doing research on structural inequalities, intersectionality, inter-generational trauma, and/or epistemic justice, and the barriers faced by marginalised communities in accessing the means to life a healthy life. Relatedly, political theorists might have useful contributions to what a “healthy life” means.

This POSTnote may be of interest to political theorists, given its interest in collaborative decision-making models (e.g. scholars who work on democracy, citizens assemblies, and forms of deliberative democracy), and also normative questions about land and land-use and the benefits of different uses and decision-making processes. Researchers in the history of political thought may consider insights from how land-use decisions have been made in the past (or forms of decision-making or collaborative use that have been suggested in the past). Contribute via this form.

Theology, Divinity and Religion

This POSTnote may  be of interest, particularly research on faith communities’ impact on healthy life expectancy, as well as what “a healthy life” looks like to different people with different religious beliefs. 

This POSTnote will summarise the factors that affect winter mortality and outline evidence for policies to prevent excess winter deaths. This might be of interest to researchers working on religious attitudes to, or understanding of, death and/or dying (and the impact of related views on policy and people’s actions, both in England and elsewhere, particularly in colder countries). Relatedly, insight into the provision of “warm spaces” by religious institutions, and the impact of this on winter mortality, may be of relevance. Contribute via this form. 

This POSTnote may be of interest, given possible insight from researchers into different religious systems about both collaborative decision-making, and land-use. Contribute via this form.

Science and Technology Studies

Science and Technology studies experts working from an Arts and Humanities perspective or disciplinary background may have useful insights for this inquiry on the growth of extremism and radicalisation in the UK, the impact of new technology including AI, “com networks”, and the efficacy of Prevent.

Some Science and Technology studies experts working from an Arts and Humanities perspective or disciplinary background (e.g. history, law or philosophy) may have useful insight for this POSTnote.