Parliament for Researchers – how to write for a parliamentary audience

This training session is aimed at academic researchers and focuses on practical information and advice. It gives a brief overview of the UK Parliament and then explores how to prepare and write a research briefing for a parliamentary audience. It also covers which teams at Parliament write and use research briefings, including details of House of Commons and House of Lords Libraries, and POST (Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology), and how to use your research briefing in order to target a relevant, appropriate audience.

How to write for a parliamentary audience: online training session

The presenter is Naomi Saint, Knowledge Exchange Manager, UK Parliament, and the expert speaker is Dr Cristiana Vagnoni, Biology and Health Adviser, POST, UK Parliament.

You can access other training sessions too, including how to engage with Parliament as an academic, PhD student, early career researcher or knowledge mobiliser, plus how to work with select committees.

Training resources

Here are the training slides used in the session.
Here is a transcript of the session.

Introductory videos about Parliament

You may find these short videos useful before watching the training session, to refresh your knowledge on the structure and role of the UK Parliament.

The structure of Parliament video (1 min 47 secs to watch)
How Parliament holds Government to account video (1 min 13 secs to watch)
How laws are made video (1 min 28 secs to watch)

Useful links

General advice on engaging with Parliament as a researcher

Here is a “how to write a policy briefing” webpage from POST
Here is a “what shall I do next” webpage to help you think through the next steps of engaging with the UK Parliament
Here is a “what interests Parliament” webpage to help you find out what research Parliament is interested in
Here is more information about Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit, including contact details for further queries

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 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 All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)

Here is a full list of UK Parliament All Party Parliamentary Groups (click on the most recent register)

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