Via this page, you will find regular updates of policy engagement opportunities, including policy secondments and pairings, events and training and details of government consultations and calls for evidence.
To discuss any aspects of this, or for further support, please contact the IPR.
Building policy networks
UUCN climate evidence survey
UK Universities Climate Network (of which the University of Bath is a member) is compiling a database of climate change expertise to more easily locate experts for opportunities, including engagement with policymakers. The survey should take 5-10 minutes to complete.
Policy secondments and fellowships
POST and RSC PhD fellowship
POST and the Royal Society of Chemists (RSC) are offering a 13-week funded fellowship to RSC members undertaking or having recently finished a PhD, where you'll be based in Parliament supporting its use of evidence research. Deadline to apply is Friday 17 May 2024.
UKRI policy fellowships
Many UKRI policy fellowships are currently open for applications. For a full list of opportunities, visit the UKRI website.
Upcoming events and training
Imperial Policy Forum and Global Development Hub: Masterclass on International Policy Engagement
Join the Imperial Policy Forum for a day of learning and networking. Their Masterclass on International Policy Engagement will feature top experts sharing their insights and strategies for effective policy engagement on a global scale. Whether you're a seasoned policy professional or just starting out in the field, this event is perfect for gaining valuable knowledge and expanding your network. This event takes place in person at the City & Guilds Building, Kensington, London on Wednesday 8 May 2024 (09:30-12:30)
CONF 24: Strengthening and Sustaining Arts and Humanities Research in Policy
The Arts and Humanities Sub-Committee Fringe Event will focus on the how we can strengthen and sustain Arts and Humanities research within Public Policy. With an exciting line up of speakers and panelists, as well three parallel workshops to choose from, we aim for this space to be one where academics, policy professionals, and knowledge brokers can collaborate, discuss, and organise around Arts and Humanities Policy Engagement. The event will take place on Monday 13 May 2024 (12:30-15:00)
Brunel Annual Health Economics and Policy Forum
Hosted by Brunel Business School's Healthcare and Wellbeing Management Area of Excellence, this event provides a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange to inform and lead developments in the healthcare sector by providing a platform for leading experts and policymakers to engage in substantive discourse, exploring innovative strategies to optimise resource allocation and address critical health needs. This event will take place on Tuesday 14 May 2024 (10:00-17:00).
Policy engagement for early-career researchers
An online session, run by The Academia Europaea and Cardiff University, targeted at Early Career Researchers interested in understanding how their research can generate impact beyond their disciplinary areas, with practical tips on how to engage policymakers. This event will take place online on Wednesday 18 May 2024 (13:00-14:30).
Empowerment & Ethics at the Edge: The Benefits & Risks of Edge Technologies
The Foundation for Science and Technology in collaboration with The PETRAS National Centre of Excellence has organised this hybrid event to explore how technologies at the edge can revolutionise citizens’ experiences, while ensuring ethical and security considerations remain at the forefront. The discussion will illuminate the benefits and risks of this technological evolution, and how to ensure a balanced perspective that prioritises the well-being of citizens. This event will take place online on Wednesday 22nd May (18:00-19:30)
Using surveys to evaluate impact
Evaluating policy engagement and impact is notoriously complex - policy impact can be diffuse and hard to track. Surveys are one tool for collecting quantitative and qualitative data on the impact and efficacy of a programme or piece of research. The aim of tis event is to familiarise the audience with how to design effective surveys to evaluate the impact of their work as well as analyse and interpret survey responses. This event will take place on Wednesday 29 May 2024 (14:00-15:30).
CSaP Annual Conference
The CSaP Anuual Conference brings together policy professionals, academic experts and business leaders for a day of talks and presentations, and to share and discuss issues and ideas on a range of topics from innovation and economic growth, to climate and sustainability. Takes place Tuesday 18 June 2024 (9:30-18:00) at the Royal Society in London.
Evidence requests
POST Note contributions
POSTnotes are short evidence briefings produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). POST welcomes researchers with relevant expertise to get in touch in relation to upcoming POSTnotes:
- Reducing plastic waste – to contribute email panagiotidisk@parliament.uk
- Enhanced weathering: spreading rock dust to remove greenhouse gases – to contribute email forrestn@parliament.uk
- Public health impacts of heat and humidity – to contribute email mehrhofs@parliament.uk
- The hydrogen backbone – to contribute email oxbyj@parliament.uk
- 6G - Next generation mobile communication technologies – to contribute email post@parliament.uk
To contribute evidence to a POSTnote email the contact listed above a short introduction to yourself and your research
- state which POSTnote you are responding to
- briefly outline your area of expertise relevant to the POSTnote
- you can also mention relevant skills, experience and knowledge
- provide a link to your online profile
- provide open access links to your most relevant published papers and blogs
Department for Education: New areas of research interest
In January, the Department for Education (DfE) published its new Areas of Research Interest (ARI). The publication sets out the DfE’s research priorities and the key areas in which it wants to work with the research community. These priorities will be used as part of an ADR UK-funded programme to help make research more policy relevant and to have greater impact.
Consultations and calls for evidence
The UK Government website has a live list of open consultations and calls for evidence. These opportunities can be filtered by organisation, status and location, and are regularly updated. While this IPR webpage will highlight notable opportunities, many others may be available on the UK Government site.
Select Committee inquiries
The UK Government website has a live list of open Select Committee enquiries. You can filter by keywords and date.