The Commons Library and POST have launched a new WhatsApp channel, bringing you impartial, curated research every day, at least an hour before the Chamber sits. Join us over on Research in Parliament to get the facts you need for the day’s debates, direct to your phone.
Follow Research in Parliament or scan the QR code below to join.
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POST, the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, sources reliable and impartial scientific research evidence for the UK Parliament.
It’s latest publications are:
Closing date for applications is 27 February 2022.
Applications are open for the 2022 Nuffield Foundation POST Fellowship scheme. Open to any PhD students in a scientific or quantitative social science field who are undertaking or have recently finished their PhD studies.
Please see the POST website for further information: https://post.parliament.uk/nuffield-foundation-post-fellowship-2022/
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) has recent published several new reports relating to COVID-19. If you’d like to sign up to the POST email newsletter, please go here: https://mailchi.mp/email.parliament.uk/post
COVID-19, children and schools
Children who have COVID-19 are much less likely to develop severe symptoms and much less likely to die from the disease than peple in older age groups. In this article we look at the latest evidence on transmission in children and what that may mean for the re-opening of schools in autumn. We have also produced a timeline of the scientific advice that was provided since February 2020 and the subsequent policy announcements on schools.
Read more on COVID-19 and schools
Child and adolescent mental health during COVID-19
Strained family relationships, reduced social contact and academic stress have mental health impacts on children and adolescents. In 2018/19 over 350,000 young people accessed NHS mental health services just in England. Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) have been reduced during the pandemic. They are likely to be under strain to meet increased demand.
Read more on children’s mental health
COVID-19 in children: July update
In our July update we look at the latest data on COVID-19 prevalence in the UK by age and sex. We explain the possible clinical outcomes for children and review evidence exploring confounding risk factors, such as underlying medical conditions and demographics. We also look at the latest data on how COVID-19 affects pregnancy.
Read more on COVID-19 and children
Effects of COVID-19 on the food supply system
COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities in the UK food system. Panic buying and the slow reaction of retailers exposed how cost-efficient and streamlined supply chains struggled to adapt to unforeseen shocks. Problems also arose from the closure of parts of the catering sector and the lack of agility in redistributing supplies from this sector to retail outlets or the food donation/charity sector.
Read more on COVID-19 and food supply chains
COVID-19 vaccines: July update on research
As of 6 July 2020, WHO figures showed almost 150 vaccine candidates in development across the world, 19 of which were being tested in humans. In the past few weeks, vaccine candidates have been rapidly progressing through the first two phases of clinical trials (Phase 1 and Phase 2). These trials test safety and if they stimulate an immune response in people.
Read more on COVID-19 vaccines
COVID-19 therapies
This article was updated on 1 May and again on 6 July. Since its original publication on 17 April, the number of COVID-19 clinical trials has increased from 524 to 2,378. There is currently no cure for COVID-19. Researchers are testing existing drugs to see if they act against SARS-CoV-2 or alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Initial positive findings show promise of Dexamethasone and Remdesivir. But negative findings are valuable because they allow researchers to focus on other drugs; there is good evidence that hydroxychloroquine does not offer any benefits to treat COVID-19 patients.
Read more on COVID-19 therapies
COVID-19: July update on face masks and face coverings for the general public
There is some weak evidence that face masks and coverings can reduce transmission of the virus in some specific circumstances, particularly poorly ventilated and crowded indoor spaces. Policy on using face coverings differs across the UK. This article includes a timeline of face mask policies in the UK and the available scientific advice from 6 April up to 3 July.
Read more on face covering guidance for the general public
Contact tracing apps for COVID-19
This article was updated on 14 May with information on the UK’s contact tracing app. It was updated again on 3 July after the UK Government announced that it would be trialling an app released by Apple and Google instead of the NHSX app which was trialled on the Isle of Wight.The release of this UK app is now not expected until the autumn at the earliest.
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology has launched a new series of rapid response content on COVID-19 which you can find here: https://post.parliament.uk/category/analysis/covid-19/
POST – the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology – is presenting regional training sessions for researchers to learn how the UK Parliament works and ways to engage with Parliament using research, with a particular focus on framing and communicating your research in a policy context.
What does the training cover?
This training gives an overview of the UK Parliament and covers ways to work with the institution including details on Select Committees, legislative scrutiny, the House of Commons and House of Lords libraries, and POST. It also includes sessions on identifying how your research relates to policy, and communicating your research at Parliament.
How is the training delivered?
Sessions are delivered by officials from POST and Select Committees. The training is interactive and practical. You will leave with an action plan, plenty of resources and the chance to join our alumni network to receive further opportunities and support from Parliament. Refreshments and lunch are included.
Who should attend?
This event is aimed at academic researchers as well as those working in policy brokerage/research impact roles.
What will I learn?
As a result of the training you will:
What does it cost?
There is an attendance fee of £40, including VAT. If this fee is a barrier to your attendance, please contact us; we may make exceptions in some circumstances.
More information can be found at www.parliament.uk/academic-training
POST provides balanced and accessible overviews of research from across the biological, physical and social sciences, and engineering and technology. It places the findings of this research in a policy context for Parliamentary use.
The best known format for these briefings are ‘POSTnotes’: four page summaries of public policy issues based on reviews of the research literature and interviews with stakeholders from across academia, industry, government and the third sector; they are peer reviewed by external experts. POSTnotes are often produced proactively, so that parliamentarians have advance knowledge of key issues before they reach the top of the political agenda.
Find out more here: https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and-offices/offices/bicameral/post/publications/
Supply of Medical Radioisotopes
This POSTnote highlights the critical role of radioactive isotopes used in medicine, and outlines the challenges for the UK in ensuring their future supply.
You can find other POSTnotes here:Â http://bit.ly/2xxZSwI
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research/
The Commons Library provides an impartial research and information service for MPs and their staff. It publishes politically-impartial policy analysis and statistical research, free for all to read. Explore quick-read articles, in-depth research, and interactive data visualisations.
The Library also provides research of the weekly business of the House of Commons:Â https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/this-week/.
Research briefings: In-depth analysis of bills, legislation, policy and topical issues. Read quick summaries online and download the corresponding PDF documents to access the full analysis.
Insights: Quick-read articles on current issues. These are published in line with topical events and provide need-to-know information on local and global topics.
Debate Packs: Research that is produced in relation to debates taking place in the Commons Chamber and Westminster Hall. They contain background information, parliamentary and press material, and suggested further reading.
Data tools and resources: Browse datasets and interactive dashboard on a range of topics. View our Constituency Dashboard for headline statistics about your constituency, explore parliamentary and elections data, and get the latest data on the economy.
Constituency casework articles: FAQs and quick explainers to help caseworkers with a range of constituent queries.
The Commons Library research can be viewed by topic and sub-topic. The links to these listings can be saved as bookmarks so you can go straight to the subjects you are interested in.
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is a bicameral body within Parliament which produces impartial, timely and peer-reviewed research, on topics such as biology, health, energy, environment and physical and social sciences.
Find out more about POST: https://post.parliament.uk/about-us/.
POSTNotes: Four-page research briefings reviewing emerging areas of research.
POSTBriefs: Dynamic and strategic syntheses, produced rapidly in response to current affairs or the work of select committees.
Rapid responses: Rapid response content published within weeks of important research developments, produced to brief parliamentarians.
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST, for short) has been producing impartial, non-partisan, and peer-reviewed briefing notes for over thirty years on various subjects which may be of interest to Members and staffers.
POST is the UK Parliament’s in-house source of independent, balanced and accessible analysis of public policy issues related to science and technology. Their aim is to inform parliamentary debate.
More information and the full list of POSTnotes can be found on the main POST site here: https://post.parliament.uk/
Their work programme covers:
Their analysis covers:
All publications (since 1995) are available in PDF format. To sign up for their mailing list, please click here: https://mailchi.mp/email.parliament.uk/post
POST also hosts seminars and training events, details of which can be found here:Â https://post.parliament.uk/events/