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 search a database of all open opportunities related to your current area of research, log on to Overton using your University of Bath single sign-on.

Visit the Routes for academic engagement with Government page on the gov.uk website for more information on the different ways in which you can share your expertise with Government.

To discuss any aspects of this, or for further support, please contact the IPR.

Policy secondments, internships and pairings

Foundation Future Leaders Programme

This programme aims to support the next generation of leaders in science, technology, research and innovation in building their understanding and links to other parts of the UK’s research and innovation system. Designed for early- to mid-career professionals, it consists of meetings, visits, online drop-in sessions, and organising the 2025 Foundation Future Leaders conference. The IPR holds membership with the foundation, which enables our staff to apply. Applications close 18 November.

Upcoming events and training

The European Scientific Advice Mechanism: how evidence-informed policymaking works in a Union of 27 states

This event on 13 November (13:00-14:00) will shed light on the work of The Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM), how the European policymaking process works and the ways it's informed by scientific evidence. It will also highlight how institutions, researchers and professional staff (including from Associated Countries, like the UK) can engage with the SAM.

UPEN International Policy Engagement Summit on Global Health

Aston University, in association with the Universities Policy Engagement Network (UPEN), is holding a series of annual international policy engagement summits, aimed at helping UK academic researchers to find out how best to collaborate with international organisations and partners in one broad policy area. This in-person and online summit, on 29 November, is focused on the use of academic evidence for global health priorities.

Writing for policy and building your online profile: A masterclass

An online UPEN session in partnership with the UKRI's Future Leaders Fellows Development Network (FLFDN). The session takes place on 27 November (13:00-15:00) and will provide academics with guidance on how to write for policy stakeholders, including advice on drafting comment articles and blogs, and Select Committee and Government consultation responses. This session will also focus on building participants’ professional social media profiles and emphasising their expertise online.

How can science and technology contribute to the UK’s Industrial Strategy?

A livestreamed event run by the Foundation for Science and Technology, following the publication of the Invest 2035: The UK’s modern industrial strategy Green Paper. This paper raised a number of policy questions, of which the Government is seeking responses to by way of a consultation, closing on 24 November 2024. Taking place on 2 December (18:30-20:00), this event explores how science and technology can contribute to the industrial strategy.

Engaging policy with A&H research: Introduction & case studies showcase

A UPEN session on 29 January (13:00-15:00) in which classicist Arlene Holmes-Henderson, Vice-Chair of UPEN and Professor of Public Policy at Durham University, will explain routes into policy engagement for researchers in Arts and Humanities disciplines. The first part of the session (13:00-14:00) will be a practical and interactive session, with the opportunity to ask questions and design a strategy for getting started. Part two of this session (14:00-15:00) will be a showcase of the newly published case study report. This report collates case studies from researchers in diverse institutions, spread across the UK, and shares their experiences of working with policy professionals.

Evidence requests

POSTnote 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. If you would like to find out which research projects you can contribute to, and how to contribute, please follow the guidance on the Parliament website.

Consultations and calls for evidence

The UK Government website has a live list of open consultations and calls for evidence.

Select Committee inquiries

The UK Government website has a live list of open Select Committee enquiries. You can filter by keywords and date. Committees currently accepting written evidence include:

AI Select Committee Areas of Interest

The Business and Trade Committee (BTC), together with the International Affairs and National Security Hub, have published an Area of Research Interest (ARI) on international regulatory landscape for Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.