Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Social Science Section (Phase 3)

Lead Research Organisation: University College London
Department Name: Science, Tech, Eng and Public Policy

Abstract

As the emblem of British democracy and an institution with significant policy influence, Parliament fulfils a number of important and democratic responsibilities through its work to make laws, debate topical issues and scrutinise the work of government. Members of Parliament are required on a daily basis to deal with issues that are widely varied, rapidly evolving and increasingly complex, from rising levels of obesity to cyber security and environmental change. These challenges cannot be adequately addressed by simply using common sense, experience, precedent, or ideological principles; information is vital and comes in a variety of formats, from statistics to consultation responses, and from a range of different sources, including individual experts, groups of stakeholders and the wider public. Scientific research has a key role to play in providing decision-makers with the best available evidence to inform their considerations and to hold government to account effectively; however, high quality research in and of itself is not enough to ensure that decision-making - in any setting - is informed by it.

In this context, and in recognition of the benefits of scientific research to inform policy, this project aims to further develop structures of science advice - broadly defined here as practices involving individuals, organisations and structures that mobilise knowledge from across the social, natural, engineering and medical sciences - in Parliament. This will ensure that social science research evidence and methods can be harnessed to effectively mobilise multidisciplinary knowledge, enabling parliamentarians to use the insights generated from publicly funded research to inform their considerations of pressing social problems.

Realising this requires effective knowledge exchange (KE) to ensure that UK social science research meets the needs of, and is used by, parliamentarians and the staff supporting them. Efforts to enhance awareness and use of social science research within Parliament only gained real traction following the establishment of a Social Science Section (SSS) in the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) in 2013. In partnership with University College London (UCL), and with the support of ESRC, over the past six years the SSS has embedded social science across POST's work and developed a stream of social science work to support parliamentarians. It has conducted research to understand the ways in which research is used in Parliament and used this to enhance knowledge and practice about effective KE; building capacity in Parliament to understand and use research evidence, and increasing engagement between academia and Parliament.

This project will build on this foundational work embedding social science research and knowledge at the heart of Parliament, thereby enabling more effective governance of our democratic society. Specifically, it will improve the use of research evidence across UK Parliament, by embedding social science across Parliament to mobilise knowledge from all disciplines and further strengthen capacity across Parliament in research use and appraisal. It will also consolidate POST as the lead body for KE in UK Parliament, brokering relationships with academia and other research stakeholders, and training the next generation of policy-wise researchers, as well as sharing learning and insights to enhance understanding about what is effective KE in policy to support effective KE practice in the UK and internationally. It will also support UK Parliament to collaborate more strategically with UK Research and Innovation, which brings together the Research Councils that distribute public funds for research, to maximise each other's impact in addressing key social and economic challenges.

Planned Impact

This project will benefit two main groups:
1. Parliamentary users (predominantly in Westminster; e.g. POST, MPs and Members of the Lords, MPs' staff, and parliamentary staff; but also the devolved administrations).
2. The research community (e.g. academics and HEI support staff, as well as research funders and intermediaries such as Learned Societies).

These groups will benefit from this project in a number of ways (see also: Case for Support, Pathways to Impact and Workplan attachments).

Parliamentary users

1. Greater access to impartial, multidisciplinary research that is timely and relevant to their needs
Types of impact: Instrumental, (potentially) Conceptual. Achieved by:
-Integrating social science into all POST products and across Parliament and producing a stream of social science POST products.
-Responsive support to parliamentary offices.
-Collaboration between Commons Committee Office and What Works Network.
-Secondment of social sciences adviser to Lords Special Inquiry committees.
-Support to R&I to improve the use of research in Commons Library and by MPs' staff.

2. Improved skills in finding, understanding and using research
Types of impact: Capacity building, Conceptual, Enduring connectivity. Achieved by:
-Bespoke training and guidance for parliamentary staff, Members' staff and Members.
-Activities to build 'communities of interest' among parliamentary staff.

3. More diverse group of academics engaging with work of UK Parliament
Types of impact: Conceptual, Enduring connectivity. Achieved by:
-Development and delivery of bespoke training and guidance for under-represented groups.
-Use of the KE Unit to centralise opportunities for engagement.

4. Improved internal processes around the use of research
Types of impact: Attitudinal/cultural change, Instrumental, Process. Achieved by:
-Piloting, evaluating and adapting internal products/services/processes to increase impact.
-Shaping internal strategies on research use, informed by KE best practice.

5. More opportunities to meet and speak to researchers
Types of impact: Conceptual, Enduring connectivity. Achieved by:
-Innovative POST events.
-Extending fellowship schemes and secondment of fellows.


Academic research community

1. Increased understanding and ability to engage with Parliament through research
Types of impact: Attitudinal/cultural change, Capacity building, Conceptual, Instrumental. Achieved by:
-Development and delivery of training and guidance, including bespoke material for under-represented groups and knowledge mobilisers.
-Extending fellowship schemes.
-Partnership with UPEN.
-Strategic engagement across UK Parliament with ESRC and UKRI.

2. More opportunities to meet and speak to parliamentarians and parliamentary staff
Types of impact: Conceptual, Enduring connectivity. Achieved by:
-Innovative POST events.
-Extending fellowship schemes.
-Regional training by parliamentary staff.

3. Improved ability to identify and trace impact on Parliament
Types of impact: Instrumental, Process. Achieved by:
-Support assessment of policy KE and impact, in collaboration with ESRC and UKRI.
-Development of evaluation framework for POST KE work.

4. Improved understanding of effective KE strategies
Types of impact: Attitudinal/cultural change, (potentially) All types of impact. Achieved by:
-Development of evaluation framework for POST KE and international work.
-Reflexively sharing learnings nationally and internationally, including with ESRC and UKRI.

5. Better connectivity to policy in Parliament and improved mobilisation of knowledge to address social and economic problems being scrutinised
Types of impact: Instrumental, Process. Achieved by:
-Greater knowledge within Parliament of ESRC and UKRI investments.
-Direct connection between key research investments and users of research.
-Early identification of opportunities for impact.
 
Description Through this award, a lot has been learned about how Parliament uses research evidence and how knowledge exchange between Parliament and the research community can be supported and facilitated. For example, we have learned that whilst Parliament and the research community work to very different time scales, there are ways to ensure the two communities can collaborate and inform each other's work. For example, Parliamentary Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) provide a longer lead in time for researchers to understand parliamentary scrutiny priorities. These in turn can inform - and have informed - researchers' funding bids as well as development of Rapid Evidence Reviews.

More broadly, a considerable amount has been learned around good practice in policy-academia knowledge exchange. In particular, we have learned that knowledge intermediaries play a key role in facilitating knowledge exchange between Parliament and researchers. As a result of this learning, we have developed a network of 800 knowledge mobilisers across the UK who support knowledge exchange between Parliament and the research community. This in turn has enabled a secure supply of diverse research expertise to meet Parliament's evidence needs, including with a quick turnaround.

Finally, much has been learned about how research evidence is viewed and used in legislatures around the globe. Through collaborations with our Parliamentary Academic Fellows, we have identified that there are many offices around the world that support research to feed into legislatures, which are not well known amongst established science advice networks. We have also learned that there is considerable appetite in legislatures across the globe to enhance their access to and use of research evidence. We have noted that this appetite grew through - and as a result of - the pandemic. We have responded to this appetite by conducting knowledge exchange with counterparts in Spain and Latin America. This has enabled international stakeholders to develop and enhance their science advice services.
Exploitation Route Stakeholders across the policy and research sectors can draw on these insights to inform their practice. Parliamentary stakeholders can continue to pursue innovative ways of harnessing research evidence to strengthen scrutiny. Research stakeholders can increasingly use parliamentary activity as indicators of policy interest when determining research priorities. Policy stakeholders in the UK and internationally can explore using networks of intermediaries to enhance their policy-research KE. International stakeholders, and those involved in international policy knowledge exchange, can draw on insights to explore new opportunities for shared learning and collaboration. Taken by policy and research stakeholders, these actions will enhance research-policy knowledge exchange both in the UK and internationally, in turn strengthening the way research can inform policy and supporting policymakers as they face key global challenges.
Sectors Government, Democracy and Justice
 
Description The grant period is complete, and the key overall impact of the work supported by this grant is summarised below. The grant ensured that UK Parliament had quick access to robust and diverse research evidence and expertise throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. This was enabled through the grant-funded Social Science Section and Knowledge Exchange Unit in POST, who quickly mobilised over 5000 experts to support Parliament's evidence needs. Through this grant, POST's Social Science Section is now fully funded by UK Parliament. It has embedded parliamentarian and staff access to social science research and methods, as well as staff access to capacity building in these areas, to ensure that staff can provide parliamentarians with research evidence and insights at the right time and in the right format. Through this grant, POST's Knowledge Exchange Unit is now fully funded by UK Parliament. It has developed a network of 800 knowledge exchange professionals, which enables it to reach over 95% of researchers in UK universities. It has developed, embedded and supported diverse knowledge exchange mechanisms to connect the research and policy communities together. These include Parliamentary Academic Fellowships, Areas of Research Interest, its 'Ask Academia' service for parliamentary staff, and weekly round-ups of parliamentary engagement opportunities available for any interested research stakeholder. Through this grant, POST has been a key partner in activities and advances across the UK research-policy landscape. Through collaboration with CAPE, UPEN and IPPO, POST has contributed wisdom and insights gained through the grant to discussions around cross-cutting challenges, national evaluation frameworks, and the future of research and policy. Finally, this grant has also had a considerable impact on an international level. This grant has enabled POST to support the creation of congressional science advice offices in Spain and Argentina, and to support the development of congressional science advice and knowledge exchange services in Chile, Colombia and Peru.
First Year Of Impact 2015
Sector Government, Democracy and Justice
Impact Types Policy & public services
 
Description Advisory Board for Policy and Practice Committee of Royal Anthropological Institution
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Advisory Board member for University of Edinburgh Impact Acceleration Account (Abbi Hobbs, active)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Advisory Group Member for Royal Holloway University project 'BabyBooks' (Natasha Mutebi)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Changing POST's KE mechanisms with databases and surveys
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Through the KEU's work to build networks, it was able to reach out and amass a database of 5000 experts on the pandemic. A team member then surveyed the database. This new mechanism enabled parliament access to a plurality of researcher voices, and enabled diverse democratic researcher engagement. We have seen an increase in diversity of institutional background of researcher as a result of this activity. The new mechanism has also been used to engage with the research community around COP26.
 
Description Co-created research evidence checklist for UK Parliament staff
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Rowena Bermingham and Laura Webb conducted a workshop with 10 staff from across UK Parliament to co-create a checklist to use when reviewing research evidence to assess evidence quality and usefulness. Update Oct 2021: This has now been published internally and is being embedded in relevant guidance.
 
Description Contributed to a letter to the president of COP26 regarding the results of a survey of experts
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact The clerk of the BEIS committee wrote a letter to Alok Sharma MP (President of COP26) to urge him to use the findings of POST's survey of experts to inform the organisation and delivery of the summit in 2021.
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/3684/documents/35821/default/
 
Description Contributed to the drafting of a recommendation by Commons Home Affairs Committee around evidence base
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Help scope recommendations on evaluations for stop and search for report on 20 years on from MacPherson report.
 
Description Created and published UK Parliament's COVID-19 Areas of Research Interest (ARIs)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact Rowena Bermingham worked with an external data science expert to analyse the responses to the COVID-19 expert survey sent to POST's COVID-19 expert database. Using machine learning algorithms, 20 areas of concern relating to COVID-19 were extracted from the 1,100+ expert responses. Rowena analysed the responses in each area of concern and identified key research questions. A list of the key research questions was sent to staff of the Commons and Lords committees for their feedback on which areas were likely to be most relevant for their scrutiny work over the next year. It also gave staff the opportunity to add research questions relating to evidence gaps they had identified during their work. The research questions from experts and the responses from committee staff are currently being synthesised into Parliamentary COVID-19 ARIs. Work on the COVID-19 survey and COVID-19 ARIs has also generated interest from research hubs. For example, the reports were circulated by UPEN and, subsequently, POST was invited to share its knowledge with research fellows working at the Government Office for Science and to present its ARI work at a meeting of the Work Works Network. POST is liaising with UKRI to embed these ARIs into their strategic plans around COVID-19. The production of ARIs by committees in the pilot will enable POST and the Commons Committee Office to jointly explore more systematic structures for cooperation with UKRI and other research funders, in line with the recommendations of the Commons Liaison Committee report on effective scrutiny.
URL https://post.parliament.uk/covid-19-areas-of-research-interest/?utm_source=POST&utm_medium=Banner&ut...
 
Description Creation of a parliamentary round up of opportunities for researchers
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Development of pilot modules for House of Commons Effective Scrutiny training programme
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Throughout 2019/20, POST worked with the Commons Committee Office to develop a course on using research evidence for scrutiny for parliamentary staff. POST is continuing to work with the Committee Office to further refine content during 2021 as well as to produce additional supporting guidance and materials.
 
Description Direct support to Witness Support working group in Commons
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to new or Improved professional practice
 
Description Direct support to other teams in UK Parliament to use research evidence, including advice, briefing, signposting to literature and contacts (Abbi Hobbs and Natasha Mutebi, ongoing)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact From October 2019 to December 2022, the Social Science Section and the Knowledge Exchange Unit have provided 315 counts of support to other teams across UK Parliament; 1938 hours of support. This is broken down as: October 2019 to September 2020, 150 counts, 1209 hours; October 2020 to September 2021, 86 counts, 469 hours; October 2021 to December 2022, 79 counts, 260 hours. This includes advice on areas of research evidence relevant to public policy, syntheses of research evidence, signposting to relevant literature and providing contacts and networks. Over 35 different Committees have been supported in the Commons and Lords: Adult Social Care Committee (Lords); Armed Forces Bill Committee; Built Environment Committee (Lords); Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee; Communications and Digital Committee (Lords); Constitution Committee (Lords); COVID-19 Committee (Lords); Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee; Defence Committee; Education Committee; Environmental Audit Committee; Energy and Environment Committee (Lords); Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee; EU Environment Sub-Committee (Lords); Foreign Affairs; Health and Social Care committee; Home Affairs Committee; International Development Committee; International Trade Committee; Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee; Joint Committee on Human Rights; Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy; Justice and Home Affairs Committee (Lords); Liaison Committee; National Plan for Sport and Recreation Committee (Lords); Public Services Committee (Lords); Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee (Lords); Petitions Committee; Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee; Science and Technology Committee (Commons); Science and Technology Committee (Lords); Scottish Affairs Committee; Transport Committee; Welsh Affairs Committee; Women and Equalities Committee; Work and Pensions Committee. Support has also been provided to other teams across Parliament, including: R&I Commons Library; Lords Library; Committee Online Services; Digital Engagement Team; Scrutiny Unit; Select Committee Engagement Team; Witness Support Group. This has supported Committees and other teams to use research evidence in their work to provide direct support to Members in scrutinising the work of government and representing the public.
 
Description Direct support to other teams in UK Parliament to use social science methods (Nvivo) to support Committee work to engage with the public
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact The social science section has provided direct support to select committee teams across the Commons to use social science methods to engage with the public and to support Committee work. This includes designing surveys with the public and analysing responses, across a wide range on public policy areas. The Social Science Section has also worked with the Commons Scrutiny Unit to develop training to use the qualitative software package Nvivo to support committee work. Training has been piloted with over 6 teams and is currently being further developed to be accessible in an online first format.
 
Description Direct support to other teams in UK Parliament to use social science methods (surveys) to support Committee work to engage with the public
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Diversity and inclusion work in the KEU and POST
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact The KEU has been working to diversify the range of researchers that the UK Parliament hears from. Through this project work, practices and processes in Parliament are changing. For example, the KEU systematically conducts equality analysis on its activities. Work has been done to develop fellowship programmes which are open and to support those from minority ethnic communities, and insights from the work have fed into developments in process more broadly in Parliament. They have also fed into work of other organisations in this space.
URL https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/research-impact-at-the-uk-parliament/diverse-and-inclusive-en...
 
Description Drafted two briefings for the House of Lords Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact Drafted two briefings to support the committee's inquiry into risk assessment and risk planning.
 
Description Evidence submission to the Science and Technology Committee Inquiry on Diversity in STEM
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/42410/html/
 
Description Influence on future research assessment programme
Geographic Reach Europe 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Influenced training and practice of REF2021 impact assessors
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Interviewing training for the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee staff
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Interview training for staff of the Health and Social Care committee who are collecting evidence for an impact evaluation
 
Description Invited as a witness at an evidence session held by The Gov Lab, on behalf of The U.S. House Select Committee on Modernization of Congress, on the topic of using evidence in the law-making process
Geographic Reach North America 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
 
Description Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Team members coordinate the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme. Through this, parliamentary staff have evolved practices, and are drawing on academics and knowledge exchange staff to feed into their work. This includes through supporting business as usual, building capacity, filling gaps in expertise, or reviewing and evaluating parliamentary processes. The scheme enables various impacts on the work and workings of Parliament. Nearly 40 people have been appointed to the scheme, and we are currently seeking 13 more fellows.
URL https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/research-impact-at-the-uk-parliament/academic-fellowships/
 
Description Participation as advisory board member on Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement project
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Participation as evaluator of the KE Concordat
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Participation in KEF review
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Participation in REF as impact assessor
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Participation in an advisory board on 'Rethinking policy impact'
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
URL https://rse.org.uk/expert-advice/rethinking-policy-impact/
 
Description Project Delivery Group member for CAPE (Abbi Hobbs, active)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
URL https://www.cape.ac.uk/
 
Description Provided a briefing on the impact of past inquiries to the House of Commons Health and Social Care select committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact Conducted qualitative analysis of interview notes about the impact of the 2017-2019 inquiries carried out by the Health and Social Care Committee. Produced short report for the committee members. Independent evaluation panel for Health and Social Care Committee established to feed back on impact of future inquiries.
 
Description Provided briefing to the Lords Life After COVID-19 Select Committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact Ran a survey of 350 experts to find out their opinions on life after COVID-19 for a special inquiry being run by the lords. Wrote a report and briefed the committee on the findings.
URL https://post.parliament.uk/life-beyond-covid-19-what-are-experts-concerned-about/
 
Description Rapid request: ask academia mechanism
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Using the KEU's networks, we have developed a rapid request mechanism whereby parliamentary staff come to us to identify experts, and we put out calls to our knowledge mobiliser network. As a result of this, diverse researchers have been able to nominate themselves to engage in Parliament's work, and Parliament has had access to more researchers.
 
Description Reciprocal Mentorship Scheme (Natasha Mutebi)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Representative on Policy, Research and Analysis Community review (Natasha Mutebi)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Submission of views to the BEIS Research Development and Innovation Landscape Review
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/research-development-and-innovation-organisational-landsc...
 
Description Support to Commons Select Committee Team to develop training module on Handling Evidence for select committee staff
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
 
Description Support to International Parliamentary Engagement Network
Geographic Reach Multiple continents/international 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
URL https://ipen-network.org/
 
Description Training on qualitative research for staff of the House of Commons international affairs unit
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Influenced training of practitioners or researchers
Impact Talked to staff on the international affairs unit about how they can use qualitative research. They were interested in future training for international specialists on NVivo.
 
Description Vice-Chair for ParliReach (Natasha Mutebi, active)
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Participation in a guidance/advisory committee
 
Description Wrote a briefing for the Commons Health and Social Care committee for their inquiry on the safety of maternity services in England
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact Used thematic analysis to analyse 18 submissions relating to personal experiences of maternity services for an inquiry into the safety of maternity services in England. Synthesised these responses into a report for the committee.
 
Description Wrote a special report for the House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact Conducted a survey of over 500 experts to find out their opinions on the organisation of COP26. Used thematic analysis and synthesised these responses into a special report for the BEIS committee.
URL https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5801/cmselect/cmbeis/1000/100004.htm
 
Title COP26 Expert Database 
Description In July 2020, POST launched the COP26 expert database. It invited anyone who wanted to support UK Parliament in scrutinising the organisation of the UN climate summit (COP26) to sign up. Over 500 experts signed up to this database. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The database is being used to support the work of the House of Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) committee. A survey of the experts on the database was used by the committee to publish a special report on experts' opinions on how COP26 should be organised. This report led to the chair of the BEIS committee writing a letter to the minister for COP26 president Alok Sharma asking for him to take these opinions into consideration going forward. 
URL https://post.parliament.uk/cop26-expert-database/
 
Title COVID-19 Outbreak Expert Database 
Description In March 2020, the Knowledge Exchange Unit in POST launched the COVID-19 outbreak expert database. It invited anyone who wanted to support UK Parliament in its work and had expertise in COVID-19 and/or its impacts to sign up. Over 5,500 experts signed up over the four months that the database was open. The database provides support for staff across UK Parliament seeking experts during the scrutiny of the COVID-19 outbreak. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2020 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact The database has been used to: - Support the work of the following 17 House of Commons select committees by searching for experts and specialist advisers for a variety of inquiries: Science and Technology, International Affairs, Online Harms and Disinformation, DCMS (Digital, Culture, Media and Sport), EAC (Environment Audit), Education, EFRA (Environment Food and Rural Affairs), HCLG (Housing, Communities and Local Government), Home Affairs, International Development, Justice, PACAC (Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs), Transport, Treasury, Women and Equalities, Health and Social Care, Welsh Affairs, and Petitions - Support the work of the following 4 House of Lords select committees by searching for experts and specialist advisers for a variety of inquiries: Economic Affairs, Public Services, Media and Communications, and Life Beyond COVID-19 - Support the work of the Joint Committee on Human Rights by searching for experts and specialist advisers - Support the work of the House of Commons library by searching for experts relevant to their briefing work - Survey these experts (receiving 1,100 responses). The results of this survey were synthesised into 16 publicly available policy reports. These responses also formed the basis for the first UK Parliament Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) 
URL https://post.parliament.uk/covid-19-outbreak-what-are-experts-concerned-about/
 
Title House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee Area of Research Interest - Unpaid carers 
Description The House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee has published an Area of Research Interest on 'Unpaid carers' to support the Committee's scrutiny of adult social care services in England. The ARI comes with several specific areas of interest aiming to further break down the broad area and focus the responses received from the research community. The House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee has published an Area of Research Interest: 'Unpaid carers' to help support their scrutiny of adult social care services in England. The ARI comes with several specific areas of interest aiming to further break down the broad area. These include what data is available to understand the challenges faced by unpaid carers, what additional data is needed and how could this be obtained, what are the contributions made by unpaid carers to the adult social care system, how does the state benefit from the work carried out by unpaid carers, and the role of unpaid carers in co-producing care. Academics at all career stages, research institutions, and experts are encouraged to share their research and insights, highlight any evidence gaps and how these could be addressed, and suggest scrutiny themes and questions the Committee should be asking the Government. Those who respond to the ARI survey will be entered onto a database of experts who may be contacted by parliamentary staff in order to help them scrutinise the Government in this area of interest. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact It was used to support the work of the House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee. 
URL https://post.parliament.uk/select-committee-area-of-research-interest-unpaid-carers/
 
Title International Development Committee Area of Research Interest: changes to the UK aid budget 
Description An inquiry into the effectiveness and influence of the Select Committee system by the 2017-19 House of Commons Liaison Committee made several recommendations on how to improve the use of research evidence in select committees. One recommendation was for committees to develop and publish areas of research interest (ARIs). The House of Commons Scrutiny Unit, with the support of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST), is trialling select committee ARIs as a pilot exercise to better understand and assess how they can support parliamentary scrutiny. The International Development Committee is the first select committee to launch an area of research interest. Their ARI is focused on 'changes to the UK aid budget' and designed to help reinforce the Committee's scrutiny of changes to the UK's Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget, the Integrated Review and the forthcoming Development Strategy (which will guide UK aid from 2022 onwards). 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, provide their insights, and suggest questions that the Committee could be asking to the Government in the short, medium, and long-term. Those who respond to the survey will be entered onto a database of experts who may be contacted by parliamentary staff in order to help them scrutinise government in this area of interest. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact It was used to support the work of the International Development Committee. 
URL https://post.parliament.uk/international-development-committee-announces-its-first-area-of-research-...
 
Title International Trade Committee Areas of Research Interest: UK Trade Policy 
Description The International Trade Committee has published five Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) for 2021 to help support the Committee's scrutiny of UK trade policy. Each ARI comes with a series of questions aiming to further break down the broad areas. The ARIs focus on UK trade policy and include: Trade negotiations, Gender and trade, Food standards, Developing countries, and Foreign Policy and Trade. The International Trade Committee has published five Areas of Research Interest (ARIs) for 2021 to help support the Committee's scrutiny of UK trade policy. Academics at all career stages, research institutions, and experts are encouraged to register their interest in the ARIs, add their existing research in the topic areas to the ARIs repository, provide their insights, and suggest questions that the Committee could be asking to the Government. Those who respond to the survey will be entered onto a database of experts who may be contacted by parliamentary staff in order to help them scrutinise government in these areas of interest. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2021 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact It was used to support the work of the International Trade Committee. 
URL https://post.parliament.uk/international-trade-committee-announces-its-first-areas-of-research-inter...
 
Title Women and Equalities Committee and Home Affairs Committee joint Area of Research Interest on 'Violence against women and girls' 
Description The Women and Equalities Committee and Home Affairs Committee have published a joint Area of Research Interest on 'Violence against women and girls' to help support their ongoing scrutiny in this topic area. The ARI comes with several specific areas of interest aiming to further break down the broad area and focus the responses received from the research community. The Women and Equalities Committee and Home Affairs Committee have published a joint Area of Research Interest: 'Violence against women and girls' to help support their scrutiny in this topic area. The ARI comes with several specific areas of interest aiming to further break down the broad area. These include the prevalence and types of violence against women and girls in different communities across the UK, cultures underpinning male violence against women and girls, the role of early intervention, and availability of interventions. Academics at all career stages, research institutions, and experts are encouraged to register their interest in the ARI, add their existing research in the topic areas to the ARI repository, provide their insights, and suggest questions that the Committee could be asking the Government. Those who respond to the ARI survey will be entered onto a database of experts who may be contacted by parliamentary staff in order to help them scrutinise government in this area of interest. 
Type Of Material Database/Collection of data 
Year Produced 2022 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact It is being used to support the work of the Women and Equalities Committee and Home Affairs Committee. 
URL https://post.parliament.uk/area-of-research-interest-violence-against-women-and-girls/
 
Description Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement 
Organisation Northumbria University
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The CAPE project is funded by Research England: "Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) has been created to support effective and sustained engagement between academics and policy professionals across the higher education sector. CAPE is a partnership between UCL and the universities of Cambridge, Manchester, Northumbria and Nottingham, in collaboration with the Government Office for Science, the Parliamentary Office for Science & Technology, the Alliance for Useful Evidence, and the Transforming Evidence Hub. CAPE is funded by Research England. We are supporting the project members through sharing insights and expertise around policy engagement, and facilitating specific projects and partnerships. Specifically, one member of the team sits on the Project Development Group, and another sits on the advisory board.
Collaborator Contribution Partners are directing projects to support on our aims to enhance and diversify the use of research evidence. This includes setting up specific fellowships and initiatives.
Impact CAPE have appointed a fellow to support on implementation of the recommendations of the House of Commons Liaison Committee Report into the effectiveness of the select committee system. Specifically these recommendations support the aims of this award in enhancing and diversifying use of research evidence in Parliament.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The CAPE project is funded by Research England: "Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) has been created to support effective and sustained engagement between academics and policy professionals across the higher education sector. CAPE is a partnership between UCL and the universities of Cambridge, Manchester, Northumbria and Nottingham, in collaboration with the Government Office for Science, the Parliamentary Office for Science & Technology, the Alliance for Useful Evidence, and the Transforming Evidence Hub. CAPE is funded by Research England. We are supporting the project members through sharing insights and expertise around policy engagement, and facilitating specific projects and partnerships. Specifically, one member of the team sits on the Project Development Group, and another sits on the advisory board.
Collaborator Contribution Partners are directing projects to support on our aims to enhance and diversify the use of research evidence. This includes setting up specific fellowships and initiatives.
Impact CAPE have appointed a fellow to support on implementation of the recommendations of the House of Commons Liaison Committee Report into the effectiveness of the select committee system. Specifically these recommendations support the aims of this award in enhancing and diversifying use of research evidence in Parliament.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement 
Organisation University of Cambridge
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The CAPE project is funded by Research England: "Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) has been created to support effective and sustained engagement between academics and policy professionals across the higher education sector. CAPE is a partnership between UCL and the universities of Cambridge, Manchester, Northumbria and Nottingham, in collaboration with the Government Office for Science, the Parliamentary Office for Science & Technology, the Alliance for Useful Evidence, and the Transforming Evidence Hub. CAPE is funded by Research England. We are supporting the project members through sharing insights and expertise around policy engagement, and facilitating specific projects and partnerships. Specifically, one member of the team sits on the Project Development Group, and another sits on the advisory board.
Collaborator Contribution Partners are directing projects to support on our aims to enhance and diversify the use of research evidence. This includes setting up specific fellowships and initiatives.
Impact CAPE have appointed a fellow to support on implementation of the recommendations of the House of Commons Liaison Committee Report into the effectiveness of the select committee system. Specifically these recommendations support the aims of this award in enhancing and diversifying use of research evidence in Parliament.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement 
Organisation University of Manchester
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The CAPE project is funded by Research England: "Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) has been created to support effective and sustained engagement between academics and policy professionals across the higher education sector. CAPE is a partnership between UCL and the universities of Cambridge, Manchester, Northumbria and Nottingham, in collaboration with the Government Office for Science, the Parliamentary Office for Science & Technology, the Alliance for Useful Evidence, and the Transforming Evidence Hub. CAPE is funded by Research England. We are supporting the project members through sharing insights and expertise around policy engagement, and facilitating specific projects and partnerships. Specifically, one member of the team sits on the Project Development Group, and another sits on the advisory board.
Collaborator Contribution Partners are directing projects to support on our aims to enhance and diversify the use of research evidence. This includes setting up specific fellowships and initiatives.
Impact CAPE have appointed a fellow to support on implementation of the recommendations of the House of Commons Liaison Committee Report into the effectiveness of the select committee system. Specifically these recommendations support the aims of this award in enhancing and diversifying use of research evidence in Parliament.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement 
Organisation University of Nottingham
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The CAPE project is funded by Research England: "Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE) has been created to support effective and sustained engagement between academics and policy professionals across the higher education sector. CAPE is a partnership between UCL and the universities of Cambridge, Manchester, Northumbria and Nottingham, in collaboration with the Government Office for Science, the Parliamentary Office for Science & Technology, the Alliance for Useful Evidence, and the Transforming Evidence Hub. CAPE is funded by Research England. We are supporting the project members through sharing insights and expertise around policy engagement, and facilitating specific projects and partnerships. Specifically, one member of the team sits on the Project Development Group, and another sits on the advisory board.
Collaborator Contribution Partners are directing projects to support on our aims to enhance and diversify the use of research evidence. This includes setting up specific fellowships and initiatives.
Impact CAPE have appointed a fellow to support on implementation of the recommendations of the House of Commons Liaison Committee Report into the effectiveness of the select committee system. Specifically these recommendations support the aims of this award in enhancing and diversifying use of research evidence in Parliament.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Collaboration with CAPE: Policy Knowledge Brokers Forum pilot 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We contribute time, expert insight, contribution of organisation of the monthly knowledge exchange seminars.
Collaborator Contribution They lead on admin and organisation as well as coordination.
Impact A seminar for policy knowledge mobilisers around academic fellowships.
Start Year 2021
 
Description Collaboration with Jonathan Breckon, CAPE Policy Fellow - UCL 
Organisation University College London
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution We are collaborating with Jonathan, through the CAPE project to run a year-long pilot to explore coproduction of policy briefings. Our contributions are time, access, expertise, intellectual input, supervision, access to existing documents.
Collaborator Contribution The partner, Jonathan, is leading on creating the training and templates and methodology for the coproduction we will be piloting. This is being enabled by CAPE funds.
Impact There are none yet.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Partnership with Devolved Administrations 
Organisation Northern Ireland Assembly's Research and Information Service
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We contribute to this joint working group information and ideas around best practice. We work together on national policy issues, for example the REF2021. We currently are leading on the coordination of the group and lead on a number of projects. We host the group in Westminster.
Collaborator Contribution Partners contribute their insights around best practice. They also participate in collaborative projects.
Impact Our collaborative work has led to a change in higher education policy: we produced a joint briefing on research impact in legislatures. Insights from this around what is parliamentary impact and how can it be evidenced fed directly into the panel criteria and working methods for REF 2021. More specifically, into Annex A on impacts and evidence, and paragraph 303. In February 2020 we led on the production of a joint briefing on KE and Legislatures. This was at the request of Research England, to feed into work around KEF.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Partnership with Devolved Administrations 
Organisation Scottish Parliament
Department Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe)
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We contribute to this joint working group information and ideas around best practice. We work together on national policy issues, for example the REF2021. We currently are leading on the coordination of the group and lead on a number of projects. We host the group in Westminster.
Collaborator Contribution Partners contribute their insights around best practice. They also participate in collaborative projects.
Impact Our collaborative work has led to a change in higher education policy: we produced a joint briefing on research impact in legislatures. Insights from this around what is parliamentary impact and how can it be evidenced fed directly into the panel criteria and working methods for REF 2021. More specifically, into Annex A on impacts and evidence, and paragraph 303. In February 2020 we led on the production of a joint briefing on KE and Legislatures. This was at the request of Research England, to feed into work around KEF.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Partnership with Devolved Administrations 
Organisation Welsh Assembly
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution We contribute to this joint working group information and ideas around best practice. We work together on national policy issues, for example the REF2021. We currently are leading on the coordination of the group and lead on a number of projects. We host the group in Westminster.
Collaborator Contribution Partners contribute their insights around best practice. They also participate in collaborative projects.
Impact Our collaborative work has led to a change in higher education policy: we produced a joint briefing on research impact in legislatures. Insights from this around what is parliamentary impact and how can it be evidenced fed directly into the panel criteria and working methods for REF 2021. More specifically, into Annex A on impacts and evidence, and paragraph 303. In February 2020 we led on the production of a joint briefing on KE and Legislatures. This was at the request of Research England, to feed into work around KEF.
Start Year 2017
 
Description Work with Moroccan Parliament Research Service 
Organisation Parliament of Morocco
Country Morocco 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution In March Rowena Bermingham travelled to Morocco to deliver two days of training on Parliamentary research services and writing Parliamentary briefings to staff of the House of Representatives (predominantly staff members in the newly established Research Centre).
Collaborator Contribution Hosted in Moroccan Parliament by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.
Impact Strategy developed for first year of research service in Moroccan Parliament.
Start Year 2020
 
Description Working with Ciencia en el Parlamento and la Fundación Espanola de Ciencia y Tecnología 
Organisation Ciencia en el Parlamento
Country Spain 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution Sarah Foxen and Chris Tyler are providing insights to these institutions on how to deliver science advice to a legislature. Sarah is involved in training the academics in how to draft research briefings and deliver science advice. Both are conducting participant observation, with a view to supporting Ciencia en el Parlamento to set up a science advice mechanism in the Congress.
Collaborator Contribution Ciencia en el Parlamento have given us access to be able to observe their project. Our participant observation and documentary analysis will enable us to report to the wider science advice community on effective measures for creating an office and implementing science advice. Reflections from this activity will enrich the work of the social science section and POST.
Impact 12 draft research briefings have been written by Spanish colleagues. A science-in-Parliament event was delivered in November 2018 in the Spanish Congress. The president of the Spanish Congress announced a budget of 200,000 for the creation of the office. The Board of Congress approved the creation of two bodies: an internal council of Deputies and scientists and an external LSA mechanism. Meetings are ongoing around the details of its creation. Update 2021: The board of Congress has appointed the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology as the external partners to co-deliver the office. There is funding for an initial few years to trial the activity, and all parties are keen to get the office up and running as soon as possible.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Working with Ciencia en el Parlamento and la Fundación Espanola de Ciencia y Tecnología 
Organisation The Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology
Country Spain 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Sarah Foxen and Chris Tyler are providing insights to these institutions on how to deliver science advice to a legislature. Sarah is involved in training the academics in how to draft research briefings and deliver science advice. Both are conducting participant observation, with a view to supporting Ciencia en el Parlamento to set up a science advice mechanism in the Congress.
Collaborator Contribution Ciencia en el Parlamento have given us access to be able to observe their project. Our participant observation and documentary analysis will enable us to report to the wider science advice community on effective measures for creating an office and implementing science advice. Reflections from this activity will enrich the work of the social science section and POST.
Impact 12 draft research briefings have been written by Spanish colleagues. A science-in-Parliament event was delivered in November 2018 in the Spanish Congress. The president of the Spanish Congress announced a budget of 200,000 for the creation of the office. The Board of Congress approved the creation of two bodies: an internal council of Deputies and scientists and an external LSA mechanism. Meetings are ongoing around the details of its creation. Update 2021: The board of Congress has appointed the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology as the external partners to co-deliver the office. There is funding for an initial few years to trial the activity, and all parties are keen to get the office up and running as soon as possible.
Start Year 2018
 
Description Working with the Argentine Congress: Chamber of Deputies 
Organisation British Embassy Buenos Aires
Country Argentina 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Two team members from the project were involved in building capacity in congressional staff around delivering legislative science and raising awareness amongst stakeholders in Argentina about its value. Update 2021: the collaboration continues. Lead collaborator in Argentina is now working for a Parliamentarian who is tabling a bill to create a POST-style office in the Argentine Congress. Project staff have been supporting this work by participating in interviews for an underpinning 'state of affairs/ opportunities' report, reviewing the report and speaking at the launch event of the report.
Collaborator Contribution Partners welcomed the team members and shared insights around different ways of working in their context, such as the work of the parliamentary diplomacy team and parliament TV.
Impact Activities The project comprised two week-long KE trips to Buenos Aires. The first was of SF, in June 2019. Then, in October 2019 SF returned with RB. Knowledge exchange June 2019: POST/UCL development and delivery of an 18-hour in situ training programme for 15-30 parliamentary staff from six offices in Argentine Congress - lower Chamber (offices: Capacitation, Parliamentary Information, Library, Medical Office, Diplomatic Office, Science and Tech adviser). The seven sessions included: The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Legislative science advice offices: opportunities, challenges and solutions Horizon scanning, setting the work programme and producing a parliamentary brief Workshop: preparing a parliamentary brief Stakeholder management and human resources Documenting and evaluating the impact of legislative science advice Next steps for Argentine Congress. June 2019: POST/UCL participation in a Parliamentary Forum with staff from research services from: Ecuador, El Salvador, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. Delivery of a substantive presentation on POST and contribution to discussions. June 2019: POST/UCL meeting with the sub-secretary of institutional evaluation in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovative Production to discuss legislative science advice. September 2019: POST/UCL review of four draft parliamentary briefings. October 2019: POST/UCL development and delivery of a 33-hour training programme to 24 parliamentary staff from six offices in Argentine Congress - lower Chamber (Capacitation, Parliamentary Information, Library, Medical Office, Diplomatic Office, Science and Tech adviser). Sessions covering: Presentation: A (re)introduction to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Workshops: Internal reviews led by RB and SF* Presentation: Reporting research evidence Structured work time: Editing briefings with help from RB and SF Workshops: Internal reviews led by the participants* Presentation and Workshop: Selecting external reviewers Presentation and Workshop: Dealing with external review comments October 2019: POST/UCL presentation about POST in Spanish at an event hosted at the Government Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovative Production and organised jointly by the Ministry, Argentine Congress and INGSA. October 2019: POST/UCL meeting with Designer from Congress, JC and GC (both from Parliamentary Diplomacy and International Cooperation) to discuss requirements for briefing templates, microsites and branding. Media engagement June 2019: POST/UCL participation in a parliamentary interview on the Congress TV channel, talking about the initiative and legislative science advice. October 2019: POST/UCL participation in a parliamentary interview on the Congress TV channel, talking about the initiative and legislative science advice. Materials Handbook: Legislative Science Advice: A training programme PowerPoint in Spanish on: The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology PowerPoint in Spanish on: opportunities, challenges and solutions PowerPoint in Spanish on: Horizon scanning, setting the work programme and producing a parliamentary brief PowerPoint in Spanish on: Workshop: preparing a parliamentary brief PowerPoint in Spanish on: Stakeholder management and human resources PowerPoint in Spanish on: Documenting and evaluating the impact of legislative science advice PowerPoint in Spanish and English on: A (re)introduction to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology PowerPoint in Spanish and English on: Reporting research evidence PowerPoint in Spanish and English on: Selecting external reviewers PowerPoint in Spanish and English on: Dealing with external review comments Outcomes and impacts Outcomes: capacity building Twenty-four congressional staff in the Argentine Congress are now knowledgeable about structures and processes for delivering science advice in legislatures and are also experienced in scoping, preparing and reviewing evidence briefings. Impacts: Instrumental The Argentine Congress used an adapted version of the POST methodology for producing parliamentary briefings. One of these, on cybersecurity and cyberterrorism, was published at the end of 2019. Update 2021: A parliamentarian will be presenting a bill for the creation of a POST-like office
Start Year 2019
 
Description Working with the Argentine Congress: Chamber of Deputies 
Organisation Congress of the Argentine Nation
Department Argentine Chamber of Deputies
Country Argentina 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution Two team members from the project were involved in building capacity in congressional staff around delivering legislative science and raising awareness amongst stakeholders in Argentina about its value. Update 2021: the collaboration continues. Lead collaborator in Argentina is now working for a Parliamentarian who is tabling a bill to create a POST-style office in the Argentine Congress. Project staff have been supporting this work by participating in interviews for an underpinning 'state of affairs/ opportunities' report, reviewing the report and speaking at the launch event of the report.
Collaborator Contribution Partners welcomed the team members and shared insights around different ways of working in their context, such as the work of the parliamentary diplomacy team and parliament TV.
Impact Activities The project comprised two week-long KE trips to Buenos Aires. The first was of SF, in June 2019. Then, in October 2019 SF returned with RB. Knowledge exchange June 2019: POST/UCL development and delivery of an 18-hour in situ training programme for 15-30 parliamentary staff from six offices in Argentine Congress - lower Chamber (offices: Capacitation, Parliamentary Information, Library, Medical Office, Diplomatic Office, Science and Tech adviser). The seven sessions included: The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Legislative science advice offices: opportunities, challenges and solutions Horizon scanning, setting the work programme and producing a parliamentary brief Workshop: preparing a parliamentary brief Stakeholder management and human resources Documenting and evaluating the impact of legislative science advice Next steps for Argentine Congress. June 2019: POST/UCL participation in a Parliamentary Forum with staff from research services from: Ecuador, El Salvador, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. Delivery of a substantive presentation on POST and contribution to discussions. June 2019: POST/UCL meeting with the sub-secretary of institutional evaluation in the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovative Production to discuss legislative science advice. September 2019: POST/UCL review of four draft parliamentary briefings. October 2019: POST/UCL development and delivery of a 33-hour training programme to 24 parliamentary staff from six offices in Argentine Congress - lower Chamber (Capacitation, Parliamentary Information, Library, Medical Office, Diplomatic Office, Science and Tech adviser). Sessions covering: Presentation: A (re)introduction to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology Workshops: Internal reviews led by RB and SF* Presentation: Reporting research evidence Structured work time: Editing briefings with help from RB and SF Workshops: Internal reviews led by the participants* Presentation and Workshop: Selecting external reviewers Presentation and Workshop: Dealing with external review comments October 2019: POST/UCL presentation about POST in Spanish at an event hosted at the Government Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovative Production and organised jointly by the Ministry, Argentine Congress and INGSA. October 2019: POST/UCL meeting with Designer from Congress, JC and GC (both from Parliamentary Diplomacy and International Cooperation) to discuss requirements for briefing templates, microsites and branding. Media engagement June 2019: POST/UCL participation in a parliamentary interview on the Congress TV channel, talking about the initiative and legislative science advice. October 2019: POST/UCL participation in a parliamentary interview on the Congress TV channel, talking about the initiative and legislative science advice. Materials Handbook: Legislative Science Advice: A training programme PowerPoint in Spanish on: The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology PowerPoint in Spanish on: opportunities, challenges and solutions PowerPoint in Spanish on: Horizon scanning, setting the work programme and producing a parliamentary brief PowerPoint in Spanish on: Workshop: preparing a parliamentary brief PowerPoint in Spanish on: Stakeholder management and human resources PowerPoint in Spanish on: Documenting and evaluating the impact of legislative science advice PowerPoint in Spanish and English on: A (re)introduction to the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology PowerPoint in Spanish and English on: Reporting research evidence PowerPoint in Spanish and English on: Selecting external reviewers PowerPoint in Spanish and English on: Dealing with external review comments Outcomes and impacts Outcomes: capacity building Twenty-four congressional staff in the Argentine Congress are now knowledgeable about structures and processes for delivering science advice in legislatures and are also experienced in scoping, preparing and reviewing evidence briefings. Impacts: Instrumental The Argentine Congress used an adapted version of the POST methodology for producing parliamentary briefings. One of these, on cybersecurity and cyberterrorism, was published at the end of 2019. Update 2021: A parliamentarian will be presenting a bill for the creation of a POST-like office
Start Year 2019
 
Description 'Research impact at UK Parliament', Scotland IAA Impact Festival 2020 (Abbi Hobbs) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Abbi Hobbs presented and participated in 'Research impact at UK Parliament', Scotland IAA Impact Festival 2020
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Attended COST Cross-Cutting Activity (CCA) in Science Communication Final Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, and spoke on panel on "Protecting the integrity of science communication" 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Attended COST Cross-Cutting Activity (CCA) in Science Communication Final Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, and spoke on panel on "Protecting the integrity of science communication"
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description BAME researchers and the UK Parliament 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this event was to listen to the lived experiences of researchers from minority ethnic communities of engaging with Parliament, to discuss the barriers to engagement as well as ideas to overcome barriers and support engagement.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Blog: How universities can improve parliamentary engagement: a 12 point plan 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This blog brought together findings from work done across the span of the ESRC investment and collaborative work around understanding how universities can support parliamentary engagement.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://transformure.wordpress.com/2020/06/01/how-universities-can-improve-parliamentary-engagement-...
 
Description Blog: Legislative science advice is a powerful tool... 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact In this blog, team members shared learnings around challenges of building a science advice mechanism, based on collaboration with partners in Spain, Mexico and Argentina.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
URL https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2019/12/18/legislative-science-advice-is-a-powerful-t...
 
Description Blog: how can researchers support Parliament in its scrutiny of the government's decisions 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Members of the team wrote a blog laying out ways researchers could support Parliament in its response to the COVID pandemic.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2020/05/06/how-can-researchers-support-parliament-in-...
 
Description Blog: strength in diversity 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This blog laid out the changes we have seen in researcher engagement with Parliament through new KE mechanisms which we have developed to support Parliament's engagement around COVID
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
URL https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/impactofsocialsciences/2020/07/13/strength-in-diversity-changing-the-shape-o...
 
Description CAPE - Project Development Group member 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Abbi Hobbs is a member of the Project Delivery Group for the Research England funded project Capabilities in Academic Policy Engagement (CAPE), a knowledge exchange and research project that explores how to support effective and sustained engagement between academics and policy professionals across the higher education sector.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
URL https://www.cape.ac.uk/
 
Description Citizen Engagement in Politics 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Invited panellist at talk on citizen engagement in politics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Co-chaired and attended the Policy Knowledge Brokers Forum on Secondments and Fellowships 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Co-chaired and attended the Policy Knowledge Brokers Forum on Secondments and Fellowships
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Cross-sector collaboration for impact: Vertigo Ventures annual impact symposium 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Speaking on a panel at an event on impact. Led to follow up from attendees to find out more.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Cultural diversity and mental health day panel discussion, UK Parliament (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Cultural diversity and mental health day panel discussion, Natasha Mutebi
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Developing a Regional or National Impact Policy 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I was an invited panellist at the international AESIS conference on the Impact of Science
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Disabled researchers and the UK Parliament 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this event was to listen to the lived experiences of disabled researchers in engaging with the UK Parliament, identify barriers and challenges, and listen to suggestions to overcome these.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Edinburgh Impact Acceleration Account Advisory Board (Abbi Hobbs) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Abbi Hobbs has continued as an Advisory Board member for the University of Edinburgh Impact Acceleration Account Advisory Board.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020,2021
 
Description El asesoramiento científico legislativo: herramienta de diplomacia parlamentaria en desarrollo 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Workshop on how LSA can be used as a tool for parliamentary diplomacy to practitioners from across Latin America. Led to further interaction with some attendees.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Engaging with Devolved Legislatures 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The KEU delivered training, with guest presentations from KE staff from the three devolved legislatures, on engaging with devolved legislatures.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/research-impact-at-the-uk-parliament/training-and-events/onli...
 
Description European Parliamentary Technology Assessment (EPTA) Practitioners' conference 2022 (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact European Parliamentary Technology Assessment (EPTA) Practitioners' conference 2022. The currently 26 members of EPTA give advice to their parliaments on topical issues such as nanotechnology, brain research, mobility pricing or future energy systems. Their projects use various methods and draw on insights from citizen panels, stakeholders, workshops as well as the foremost experts in the relevant fields.

The EPTA Practitioners' Conference took place in Olso, Norway, from 28-30th September 2022. The aim of the conference was to enable practitioners across EPTA organizations to share knowledge and experiences, and to build their professional networks.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Evolving the academic-policy ecosystem: developing national capabilities in academic-policy engagement 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Evolving the academic-policy ecosystem: developing national capabilities in academic-policy engagement
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Exploring select committee evidence 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The KEU delivered training with guest presentations from the Commons Select Committee Office and academics on engaging with select committees and select committee evidence.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/research-impact-at-the-uk-parliament/training-and-events/onli...
 
Description Hosted delegation of officials from the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation of Chile (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Hosted delegation of officials from the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation of Chile (Natasha Mutebi). To share knowledge on use of evidence to inform policy.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Information session on Parliamentary Academic Fellowship Scheme 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Online information session for those interested in applying to our parliamentary academic fellowship programme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Legislative Science Advice: knowledge exchange and networking workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Members of the team convened a workshop at the 2020 AAAS conference for those involved in legislative science advice. The aim of the workshop was to facilitate knowledge exchange and networking. Attendees reported it having been immensely useful for both of these objectives.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Organised three weeks of knowledge exchange activities between POST and international science advice stakeholders in Latin America 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Three weeks of stakeholder meetings with different policy and research stakeholders.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description ParliReach Vice-Chair, UK Parliament (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Natasha Mutebi was nominated Vice-Chair of ParliReach, a Workplace Equality Network (WEN) established to increase awareness and appreciation of race, ethnicity and cultural heritage issues in Parliament.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Parliament for Academic Librarians 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The KEU delivered training with staff from the House of Commons Library on engaging with Parliament for academic librarians.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/research-impact-at-the-uk-parliament/training-and-events/onli...
 
Description Parliament for Early Career Researchers 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament for Knowledge Mobilisers 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament for Knowledge Mobilisers 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament for PhD students 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament for Researchers training: Scotland 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Parliament for Researchers: Online 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament for Researchers: online 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament for Researchers: working with select committees 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament for Women Researchers 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to listen to women researchers' lived experiences of engaging with Parliament, the barriers they've faced and how they could be supported to engage, It also aimed to raise awareness and train women researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Parliament for researchers: London (online) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament for researchers: Wales (online) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Parliament vs Government training 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The KEU delivered training for academics on engaging with Parliament and Government, with guest presentations from three government departments.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/research-impact-at-the-uk-parliament/training-and-events/onli...
 
Description Parliamentary Links Day (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Links Day is the largest science event on the annual Parliamentary events calendar, and is organised by the Royal Society of Biology on behalf of the science and technology community. The event has a different theme each year and brings together scientists, learned societies and Members of Parliament. The theme for this year's event was Science and International Collaboration. Links Day returned to an in-person format in 2022, taking place in the Attlee Suite, Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament.
Links Day featured contributions from many distinguished speakers from Parliament, Government and the science community. Download a final programme and watch the event on the RSB YouTube channel.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Policy based evidence panel session 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A team member spoke on a panel about the topic of policy based evidence, along with an international panel. It provoked discussion from attendees, and follow up correspondence.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presentation about engaging with Parliament as a researcher for EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account holders across Scottish Universities (Abbi Hobbs) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Presentation about engaging with Parliament as a researcher for EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account holders across Scottish Universities - Abbi Hobbs.

The Impact Festival is an annual event organised by EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) holders in Scotland, who are committed to delivering jointly funded initiatives, particularly in the areas of networking, training, culture change and dual funding of IAA projects where active collaborations between institutions exist. Primarily aimed at staff from the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, St Andrews, and Strathclyde, the festival is an opportunity to connect with fellow researchers and discuss a range of impact-related topics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation and participation at NIHR Policy Research Unit training session on engaging with policy (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Natasha Mutebi took part in the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Behavioural Science, in collaboration with UCL's Centre for Behaviour Change, Research engagement with policymakers: a practical guide to writing policy briefs, online, October 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Presentation at Westminster Higher Education Forum on the future of the HEIF and KEF 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Presentation at the WHEF on parliamentary engagement and impact in the context of HEIF and KEF.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presentation for British Academy of Management and Association of British Chinese Professors on Engage with the UK Parliament to support better policy (Abbi Hobbs) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact This webinar helped academic to understand ways to work with the Parliament. It also provided hand-on practices for academics who wish to support better policy through the Select Committees of the UK Parliament.

The HRM SIG webinars help attendees to gain greater understanding about how to prepare accessible written evidences for the Select Committee and how to communicate effectively when invited to Parliament.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation for London Arts and Humanities Partnership (LAHP) placement event (Abbi Hobbs) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact The event was an opportunity for LAHP students to find out all the latest information about the placement scheme, as well as hear about fellow students' and supervisor's experiences. Followed by a networking session where you will be able to speak to the representatives from a variety placement hosts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation for Society for Research into Higher Education (SHRE) on Engaging with Policy, Writing for Parliament (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Outreach presentation for Society for Research into Higher Education (SHRE) - Engaging with Policy, Writing for Parliament - Natasha Mutebi. Continued contact and strengthening diverse networks.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation for University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Population Health - From Research to Policy' (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Population Health - 'From Research to Policy: a masterclass in engaging the UK Parliament with scientific evidence' - Natasha Mutebi. Continued contact and building networks.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation on Social Science and Knowledge Exchange in Parliament to the Campaign for Social Science Strategic Leadership Forum 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Presentation on Social Science and Knowledge Exchange in Parliament to the Campaign for Social Science Strategic Leadership Forum
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presentation to UPEN on the KEU and Parliament's priorities 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A member of the team presented to members of the UPEN network, sharing the priorities of Parliament around knowledge exchange with the research community. There was debate and discussion about how this collaboration could be enhanced.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presentation to University of Glasgow/ Scottish Policy Research Exchange (SPRE) panel on career paths in policy (Abbi Hobbs) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact University of Glasgow/ Scottish Policy Research Exchange (SPRE) panel on career paths in policy - Abbi Hobbs. Continued contact and strengthening networks.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Presented 'Parliament for Researchers' to researchers from multiple institutions, University of Coventry 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Skills-based training. The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presented 'Understanding research evidence' to MPs and MPs' staff 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Presented 'understanding research evidence' as part of Sense About Science's Evidence Week. Included information on how to interpret and use research evidence as well as what resources UK Parliament has in this area.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Presented to Government Social Research Heads of Profession on POST and avenues for engagement (Abbi Hobbs) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Abbi Hobbs presented to Government Social Research Heads of Profession on POST and avenues for engagement
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Public Engagement Beyond Covid 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact I was an invited panellist at a Hotpot organised by the European Science Engagement Agency and COST (EU) on public engagement with science beyond covid
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Reciprocal Mentorship Scheme, House of Commons Research and Information (Natasha Mutebi) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Natasha Mutebi is taking part in the House of Commons Reciprocal Mentorship Scheme, to enable open discussions about what it's like to work in R&I and Parliament, and how to be part of creating and maintaining a more inclusive culture.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Roundtable on monitoring, measuring and capturing KE and Impact in policy 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact On 3 June, the KEU convened a meeting around tracking, demonstrating, measuring and evaluating KE and impact with legislatures, inviting colleagues from the devolved legislatures, research councils, learned societies, Research England, and university researchers and knowledge mobilisers. The aim of the meeting was to identify overlaps between stakeholder groups in priorities relating to capturing KE and impact, with the ultimate, shared aim of advancing M&E to enhance effectiveness of KE. Stakeholders will reconvene again to continue moving the conversation forward; particularly considering theories of change, diversity and data capture. Discussions were had around the challenges and opportunities as well as rationale for doing so. As a result, networks have been strengthened, and work is more coordinated.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Six monthly week of teas with the KEU 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The aim of this event was to engage with knowledge mobilisers, learn about their needs and contexts, and discuss how best to support them to support parliamentary engagement.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Talk about global legislative science advice 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A team member spoke at an event convened by Ciencia en el Parlamento to discuss the challenges and opportunities for Legislative science advice now and in the future. It sparked interested questions from attendees.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Training at European Geosciences Union 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact I planned training for Geoscience researchers from around the world in engaging with Policy, and delivered along with the EGU policy Officer and Head of the EU Parliament Foresight Office.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Training for NatCen 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A member of the team delivered a day long training session for staff at Nat Cen on engaging with Parliament.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Training for Royal Society Pairing Scheme participants 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact A member of the team delivered a training session on parliament and research as part of the Royal Society's 2020 pairing scheme.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Training for researchers at Lincoln 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Skills-based training. The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Training for researchers at University of Nottingham 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Skills-based training. The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description What works for knowledge brokers? 
Form Of Engagement Activity Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Co-author of a blog with Dr Sandra Messenger on sharing insights around knowledge mobilisers' preferences for digital communications.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Workshop on Theory of Change to inform this award 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Those working towards this award participated in a workshop with two external facilitators to think through how to apply Theory of Change to the award and its aims. As a result, the team now works with an agile Theory of Change. This has also sparked conversations with others thinking through Theory of Change and policy engagement and impact.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description Workshop on creating systematic and sustainable mechanisms for engagement (Abbi Hobbs) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact Abbi Hobbs took part in a workshop on creating systematic and sustainable mechanisms for engagement, organised by CAPE, October 2021.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Writing for a Parliamentary Audience 
Form Of Engagement Activity A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Other audiences
Results and Impact The aim of this activity was to raise awareness and train researchers and knowledge mobilisers to be able to engage with Parliament. We do not yet know of any impacts.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2020
 
Description • Co-chaired and attended the Policy Knowledge Brokers Forum on Diversity in academia-policy knowledge exchange 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact • Co-chaired and attended the Policy Knowledge Brokers Forum on Diversity in academia-policy knowledge exchange
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022