This training session gives an overview of the UK Parliament and covers ways for researchers to work with the institution including details on select committees, the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries, POST, and working with individual Parliamentarians. It then explores ideas around supporting researchers at your institution to engage with the UK Parliament, including potential incentives for academics.
Parliament for Knowledge Mobilisers: online training session
This is a recording of an online training session, delivered on 2nd December 2020 by UK Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit.
The session is aimed at knowledge mobilisers, i.e. people whose role is focused on sharing research from their institution with other sectors (examples could include people working in research impact, public engagement, policy engagement, knowledge exchange, communications, research development, academic libraries etc).
It focuses on practical information and advice, and what support is available for knowledge mobilisers from the UK Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit. The main presenter is Naomi Saint, Knowledge Exchange Manager, UK Parliament.
You can access other training sessions too, including how to engage with Parliament as an academic, PhD student or early career researcher, plus how to work with select committees, and how to write for a parliamentary audience.
Training resources
- Here are the training slides used in the session.
- Here is a transcript of the session.
Useful links
The links below accompany information presented in the training session.
General advice on engaging with Parliament for researchers
- Here is a webpage of ‘how to’ guides, including:
- Infographics on research impact at the UK Parliament and getting research into Parliament
- Guidance on submitting evidence to a select committee
- Tips on writing a policy brief
- Here is a “what shall I do next” webpage to help researchers think through the next steps of engaging with the UK Parliament
- Here is where you can sign up to email alerts on topics which you choose (this will include select committee inquiries and other opportunities and news)
- If you are interested in engaging with Parliament around the COVID-19 outbreak and its impacts, please see this COVID-19 researcher engagement webpage outlining the most targeted, impactful ways that researchers can engage at the moment
- Here is more information about Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit, including contact details for further queries. If you are a knowledge mobiliser (see definition above), please do join our informal Knowledge Mobilisers network by emailing keu@parliament.uk with your name, job title and institution.
Engaging with select committees
- Here is the A-Z list of all UK Parliament select committees
- Here are all current open calls for evidence from UK Parliament select committees
Engaging with the House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries
- Here is the House of Commons Library website, including information about the Library and research briefings published by the Library staff
- Here is the House of Lords Library website, including information about the Library and research briefings published by the Library staff
Engaging with POST
- Here is the POST website, including upcoming briefing topics, newsletter sign up and contact details for specialists
- Here is more information on academic fellowships from the UK Parliament (this includes PhD fellowships and those for academics later in their career)
Engaging with All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)
- Here is a full list of UK Parliament All Party Parliamentary Groups (click on the most recent register)