Written by Professor Alpesh Maisuria, Professor of Education Policy, and Education and Childhood Research Group (ECRG) Lead
How is policy made in Parliament?
Where along this journey can academic research make an impact?
And how can academics engage meaningfully with policymakers?
Engaging with the policymaking process is often mystified, yet it is essential for shaping the policies that influence society. Having spent over three years as a Parliamentary Academic Fellow (PAF) embedded in Westminster, I have gained unique insights into Parliamentary culture, the people who work there, and crucially, how academics can mobilise knowledge exchange to support policy development.
Demystifying parliamentary engagement
A common misconception I hear is that parliamentarians “don’t want academic research” or prefer the work of think tanks. The reality is very different. Parliament values academic research because it is ethical, rigorous and significant; and legislators genuinely rely on it.
There are several established routes for academics to engage, including responding to Committee calls for evidence, participating in All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs), or working with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST).
However, the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship scheme offers something unique.
What Is the Parliamentary Academic Fellowship?
Unlike short-term engagements, PAFs are embedded within Parliament – usually for 12 months – giving Fellows unparalleled access to Parliamentary processes, people and culture.
The scheme is competitive. Applicants must hold a PhD, be employed on an academic contract, and propose a project that fills an identified knowledge gap. Following an information session and written application, interviews test both competency and values. Successful applicants must also secure funding and pass national security checks.
The reward is a coveted Parliamentary pass granting access to the full Parliamentary estate, from committee rooms and the libraries to the dining rooms and meeting spaces where much informal policy work takes place.
Inside Westminster: What I learned
During my Fellowship, I worked as an Education Specialist in the House of Commons Library research service. This service provides MPs with confidential, impartial, and accurate research, something I previously assumed MPs accessed through large research teams. In reality, MPs rely heavily on Library Specialists.
Our work ranged from answering constituency questions (“How many children in my area receive free school meals?”) to providing information on legislation (“Do Independent SEND schools pay VAT on their fees?”). The Library’s publicly available briefing papers are widely used by MPs, researchers, journalists and students; the website receives over 18 million views a year.
Seeing my own briefing papers cited by MPs and major broadcasters like the BBC showed me first-hand how academic research can shape public understanding and debate.
Why academic research matters – and why it often isn’t used
During the Fellowship, I noticed that Commons Library briefings do not cite academic research as often as they could. Key reasons include:
- Academic language is often inaccessible
- Paywalls limit access to research
- Unfamiliarity with academic journals
- Parliamentary timelines move quickly, while academic publishing is slow
However, my study (Parliamentary Engagement with Academic Research (PEAR)) finds that academics can make their work much more usable.
How academics can influence policy: Three practical tips
1. Know parliamentary business
Sign up to alerts for debates, Bills and Committee inquiries. POST’s newsletter is invaluable.
Use Hansard to identify MPs interested in your area and follow their contributions.
Monitor the governing Party’s manifesto and the King’s Speech to anticipate opportunities to contribute.
2. Make your policy recommendations explicit
Policymakers want actionable insight. Avoid vague conclusions like “more research is needed”.
Instead, set out clear recommendations and implications.
3. Create a narrative thread
Share your work in accessible formats i.e. blogs, short explainers, social media posts and tag relevant MPs or Committees. Policymakers are far more likely to read a concise summary first, and then go to the full article.
Looking ahead
As Harold Wilson famously noted, “A week is a long time in politics.” During my Fellowship, I witnessed five Education Secretaries, four Prime Ministers, and two monarchs. With such rapid change, sustained engagement is essential.
My experience has shown me that Parliament does want academic research but it must be timely, accessible and usable.
Opportunities for UWE researchers
To support colleagues across UWE, I offer interactive workshops on:
- Navigating Parliament and understanding its processes
- Using Parliamentary resources
- Enhancing bid writing, knowledge exchange and impact planning
- Incorporating Parliamentary materials into teaching and learning
These sessions are tailored for researchers, staff and postgraduate students.
Get involved
If you are interested in attending a workshop or joining my new UWE ParliPolicy Network (UPPN) or the Education and Childhood Research Group (ECRG), please get in touch. I look forward to supporting colleagues who want to engage more deeply with the policymaking process.