These opportunities and resources have been compiled by UK Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit (KEU) to help you understand how to engage with Parliament as a researcher.

Take a look at the KEU’s webhub of information and resources for researchers. 

Jump to:

Select committees currently accepting written evidence (compiled 17 June 2026)

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:

All other inquiries currently accepting written evidence:

Why should I engage? Submitting evidence to a select committee can lead to further engagement, such as an invite 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 here. And find more on engagement for impact here.  

What should I expect? All evidence will be read and taken into consideration, but you may not receive a direct response from us or the Committee. To stay informed, we encourage you to follow the progress on the respective committee / inquiry webpages. 

More information: all inquiries currently accepting evidence are found here 

Support resources: find guidance on submitting evidence to select committees on the KEU’s ‘how to guides’ page  

UKRI policy internships 2026 – applications open

Applications for UKRI-funded PhD students to take up a three-month internship opportunity at an influential policy organisation are open! 

One of the placements you could choose is with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)… i.e. our team! Within POST, our team synthesizes research into accessible, impartial briefings for parliamentarians. This offers a unique opportunity to work closely with parliamentary processes and contribute directly to evidence-informed policymaking.

Please note, this opportunity is open to current PhD students who are funded by the research councils of UKRI. 

Key dates: 

  • Information session: 9 July, 3-4pm
  • Closing date for applications: 8 September 2026 at 16:00 
  • Shortlisting applications: October 2026
  • Interviews: October-November 2026 
  • Outcomes: November-December 2026 
  • Internships start: from January 2027 onwards 

Read the details about the POST internship opportunities. 
Or find out more about all the current UKRI internship opportunities at a range of policy organisations.

We’re running a one-hour information session for potential applicants who are interested in being placed in UK Parliament on Thursday 9 July, 3-4pm.

Sign up for the information session.  

Why should I engage? Internships at Parliament offer a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the epicentre of policymaking from the inside. Through their internship,, interns learn how to write for policy with balance and impartiality, how select committees are structured and run inquiries, and how research and evidence is utilised in parliament. 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 or a hot policy topic.  

More information Find out more about what a PhD fellowship with POST is like and the opportunities it can lead to. 

Find out more about POST fellowships. 

Watch an interview with a previous POST fellow to learn about her experience. 

From Wards to Westminster

Last round-up we featured Professor Louise Reardon’s day in a life as TRL for Transport, which we hope you found interesting and engaging! This week we have an extra treat for you, Professor David Strain describes his TRL journey from the wards to Westminster. Do give it a read, here’s a snippet to whet your appetite:

“Working as a TRL has been one of the most stimulating professional opportunities of my career. It combines public service, intellectual curiosity and practical impact in a way that few roles can. Most importantly, every day working as a TRL has reminded me that medicine does not stop at the hospital door. The factors shaping health – work, education, technology, inequality, housing, childhood experiences and scientific innovation – are debated every day in Parliament.”

Read all of the TRL stories  and apply to be one of our next TRLs here.

Why should I engage? The position of TRL is a highly influential and prestigious role at the heart of Parliament. The role presents a unique opportunity for you to work closely with policy, research and analysis staff from across the UK Parliament. It offers an exciting opportunity for you to see first-hand how research feeds into policy, through shaping parliamentary work with your research expertise and participating in the development of parliamentary processes for knowledge exchange.  

You will be uniquely placed to build connections with parliamentary and government stakeholders to take forward through your career, and this participation will provide you with rich and varied experiences to support you on an upward professional trajectory. Former TRLs have reported that the role has contributed to advancement in their careers, including to professorial level.

More information: Thematic Research Leads were created to build a strategic bridge between Parliament and the research community, helping ensure that parliamentarians have access to rich sources of evidence and expertise. Finding out more about the current and former TRLs will provide insight into their areas of focus, and show you how we work together to enhance the ways your research can flow into Parliament. 

Find out more or to apply to one of the seven TRL roles: Thematic Research Leads.

Research Librarian opportunity

UK Parliament is recruiting for a permanent position as a Research Librarian.

The House of Commons is looking for a curious and service-focused professional to join the Research and Information team to support MPs and their staff by ensuring they have access to accurate, reliable and timely information.

The role partners closely with research teams across the House of Commons Library and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), helping them to navigate a wide range of information resources and tools. The post holder will develop expert knowledge in specialist information sources, provide tailored training and 1:1 support, and contribute to delivering high-quality enquiry and research services. The work will directly support the production of briefings, publications and analysis that inform parliamentary debate and decision-making.

This is a varied and outward-facing role where the post holder will build strong relationships with stakeholders, advocate for user needs, and stay at the forefront of developments in the information and library sector. They’ll also contribute to outreach, training and engagement activities, helping to promote the work of the Library and ensure that information services continue to evolve to meet the needs of a modern, dynamic Parliament.

This role is offered on a hybrid working basis, with the expectation of 40% of the time in the office. The role is offered full time at £37,834-£41,998 per annum. 

For further information about the role or to apply access this link. 

Deadline: 22 June 2026

Why should I engage? Working as a Research Librarian in Parliament offers a rare opportunity to play a vital role in providing tailored support to MPs and their staff. You will ensure they have access to accurate, reliable and timely information through developing expert knowledge in specialist information sources and building strong stakeholder relationships. In this varied, collaborative role, excellent communication and interpersonal skills are key: your work will directly support the production of impartial briefings, publications and analysis that inform parliamentary debate and decision-making.

More information:  Research Librarians play an important, cross-cutting role collaborating with researchers to ensure that the Library’s work, which is at the heart of Parliamentary democracy, is expertly produced and communicates often complex topics clearly and impartially to non-specialists

Find out more about the Library’s work here: House of Commons Library

Reminder: Calling all ODA funding recipients… The International Development Committee wants to hear from you! 

If you were a previous recipient of an Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded scholarship or research grant, the International Development Committee would be keen to hear your thoughts by completing this survey.

Please also pass on to colleagues within your network who have received ODA funded scholarships and grants – we are keen to maximise engagement and feedback.

The Committee is seeking to understand the value and impact of ODA-funded scholarships and research partnerships through how they shape professional development, strengthen international collaboration and contribute to long‑term development impact.

The deadline for completing this survey is 28 June 2026. 

Why should I engage? Select committees are a key way for academics to share their experience with the UK Parliament. The International Development Committee are keen to understand the value and impact of ODA-funded scholarships and want to hear the first-hand experiences of the individuals who have received this funding. 

More information:  Find out more about why you should engage with Parliament here.

From Christmas to shark fins… Private Members’ Bills cover it all! 

What do shark fins, Christmas Day, and badgers have in common? They’ve all been the subject of successful Private Members’ Bills.

Private Members Bills are introduced by MPs or Lords who are not government ministers. They can be introduced by both Houses and follow the same stages as other government bills. Though few Private Members Bills go on to become laws, they bring issues to the forefront of public debate and can thereby indirectly change legislation.

Ballot bills are the first type of Private Members Bill to be introduced in a session and 20 are chosen from a ballot. This year those chosen from the ballot can be found here. 

Yesterday, the MPs who were drawn in the 2026-27 ballot introduced their bills to the House of Commons.

So what?

Private Members’ Bills offer a rare window where individual MPs actively seek evidence and ideas—making this a timely opportunity for academics to share expertise that can shape emerging policy debates. At this early stage, MPs are often refining their proposals and looking for credible insight to strengthen their case. Engaging now can help ensure research evidence informs the conversation from the outset, even if the bill itself does not become law.

More information