This session refreshed, and built upon, our previous session with the UK Parliament’s Knowledge Exchange Unit. It explored in more detail how the UK Parliament works and uses research; the different ways that researchers can work with the UK Parliament; as well as practical steps for influencing policy through engagement with Parliament.
To help bring the session to life, a panel of speakers were invited to share their practical experiences of working with the UK Parliament, as well as top tips for engaging effectively with policymakers. You can watch their presentations from the session below.
Dr Danielle Beswick is an Associate Professor in the International Development Department at the University of Birmingham. Her current research interests are primarily centred on contemporary UK development policy, including parliamentary scrutiny of this, UK Africa Relations, and knowledge exchange between universities and legislatures. In this session she shared her experience as a Parliamentary Academic Fellow.
Sue Jarvis is Co-Director, Heseltine Institute for Public Policy, Practice and Place. Sue has a professional background in local government practice and public policy. A former director at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Knowsley Council, Sue is a leading expert on public policy, employment and skills and local economic development strategies. In this session she highlighted her learning from submitting evidence to Parliamentary enquiries and working with an All-Party Parliamentary Group.
Professor Helen Stalford is a Professor of Law at the University of Liverpool’s School of Law and Social Justice. She specialises in children's rights, particularly in the context of international and European law. In this session she reflected on her work as a Special Advisor to a Parliamentary committee.
Key messages shared by the panel included:
- Be brave: take the initiative and try different ways to get your research in front of parliamentarians. Getting your foot in the door is the first, and most important, step for building longer-term relationships with policymakers and accessing further opportunities for engagement.
- Be strategic: a scattergun approach can be counterproductive. Instead, focus on targeted, specific engagement that builds on clear overlaps between your expertise and parliamentary business over the long-term.
- Be accessible: Parliament is time poor, so make sure you present your research in a way that can be easily digested and understood by politicians and their staff. Focus on preparing clear, robust evidence that adds value to the existing debate.
- Be agile: stay up to date with political events and make sure you can pivot your analysis and respond to whatever is happening in Parliament when opportunities arise.
- Be collaborative: engaging with Parliament does not have to be a solo effort. Work with colleagues who have prior experience of working with policymakers and build coalitions with others that can complement your expertise.
You can access the slides from the session here.
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