research

POST – The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology

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The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) is an impartial research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament.

POST works to ensure members of parliament from both Houses have access to the latest evidence and expertise on complex and emerging topics.

It is a valuable resource for parliamentarians looking for clear, impartial research evidence on a wide range of science and social science topics, covering health and the environment to housing and computing.

POST:

  • Publishes impartial briefings, drawing on cutting-edge research evidence, and tailored to the needs of parliament. Our unique approach involves extensive consultation with experts and stakeholders. We focus on topical issues where the research evidence is emerging or particularly complex covering science and social science, from health and the environment to housing and computing.
  • Helps parliamentarians connect with the external experts they need through our UK-wide network of academic and research institutions.

To find out more about POST, read their research briefings and learn about how they can help you with your work, find them on the parliament website at post.parliament.uk

More information about their services can be found on ParliNet.

Library talk: NATO summit preview and the UK armed forces

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The government is expected to set out its defence and foreign policy priorities before the NATO summit. This talk will highlight the key points and lookahead to the main topics of discussion for NATO at its summit on 24-26 June.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: Thursday 19 June 2025
Location: Online Via Teams
Registration: Via ACT

Total Politics Group Launches The House Magazine Lord Cormack Fellowship

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Total Politics Group is proud to announce the launch of the Lord Cormack Fellowship, a new paid, month-long editorial and political journalism fellowship with The House magazine, Parliament’s independent and cross-party publication.

The fellowship is named in honour of Lord Patrick Cormack, the late politician, author and journalist who co-founded The House. Generously supported by his family, the scheme reflects Lord Cormack’s deep-rooted values of editorial impartiality, cross-party collaboration, and respect for the institution of Parliament.

Over the course of the month, the fellow will receive hands-on experience in journalism, politics, and publishing, gaining exposure to all aspects of The House magazine’s editorial, creative and commercial operations. This includes structured modules in:

  • Political Journalism: From Westminster tours and shadowing lobby reporters to investigative journalism, FOI training, and policy deep-dives with The House editorial team.
  • Publishing & Advertising: A 360° view of campaign delivery, creative production, and digital ad operations.
  • Politics & Policy: First-hand insights from senior MPs, civil servants, and voluntary sector leaders on the machinery of government, Parliament, and communications in politics.

“We are delighted to launch this programme in memory of Lord Cormack, whose contribution to both Parliament and The House magazine was profound,” said Mark Wallace, CEO of Total Politics Group. “This fellowship represents our commitment to creating new opportunities for the next generation of journalists and nurturing aspiring talent in political media. I’m very much looking forward to seeing who applies and to working with the successful Fellow.”

Editor in Chief of The House magazine Alan White said “The House has a long track record in producing the great political journalists of tomorrow, and I’m very pleased that we have secured support to run this scheme for years to come. My thanks to the many individuals who have volunteered their time to help.”

Richard Cormack said: “Throughout his long parliamentary career my father, Lord Cormack, was a steadfast believer in equality of opportunity. I’m delighted to help the House magazine in providing a fellowship that will be accessible to all, and very grateful to the Royal Foundation of St Katharine for their generous support.”

The Lord Cormack Fellowship is open to individuals over the age of 18 and has been designed to be fully accessible. The selected fellow will be paid the London Living Wage, with accommodation provided by the Royal Foundation of St Katharine for those requiring it.

This initiative builds on The House magazine’s reputation as the essential platform at the heart of Westminster – providing trusted political reporting and a unique window into Parliament since its founding in 1976.

For more information about the fellowship and how to apply, visit: https://totalpoliticsgroup.bamboohr.com/careers/73?source=aWQ9OQ%3D%3D

NATO summit preview and the UK armed forces

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House of Commons Library Talk

Session outline

The government is expected to set out its defence and foreign policy priorities before the NATO summit. This talk will highlight the key points and lookahead to the main topics of discussion for NATO at its summit on 24-26 June.

Time: 10:30 – 11:30
Date: 19 June 2025
Location: Online
Registration: https://parliament.learningpool.com/mod/facetoface/view.php?f=3479

Meet the Director: Research and Information

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Time: 11:30 – 14:00
Date: Tuesday 10 June 2025
Location: Portcullis House Hub

Directors from key House Administration teams that provide services to Members will be available to answer your questions, listen to your feedback, or if you just want to learn more about how their teams can support you in carrying out your parliamentary duties.

Meet:

  • Grant Hill-Cawthorne, Managing Director of Research and Information and House of Commons Librarian
  • Anna Dickson, Director of Research
  • Bryn Morgan, Director of Data Services.

Meet the Director: Commons Library and POST

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Time: 11:30 – 14:00
Date: Tuesday 10 June
Location: Portcullis House Hub

Members and Members’ staff are invited to drop-in to monthly ‘Meet the Director’ sessions in the Portcullis House Hub.

Directors from key House Administration teams that provide services to Members will be available to answer your questions, listen to your feedback, or talk to you more about how their teams can support you in carrying out your parliamentary duties.

This month’s drop-in focuses on the House of Commons Library and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST).

Meet:

  • Grant Hill-Cawthorne, Managing Director of Research and Information
  • Anna Dickson, Director of Research
  • Bryn Morgan, Director of Data Services.

Trust, public engagement and UK Parliament

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A research briefing from POST – the Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology.

What is the relationship between public engagement activities and public trust? What makes different types of engagement methods effective, and how can they engage the public and impact trust levels?

Download the briefing here: Trust, public engagement and UK Parliament

Casework Discussion Forum: Local transport Q&A

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Time: 14:30 – 15:30
Date: 8 May 2025
Location: Online via MS Teams

The Casework Discussion Forum takes place each month via MS Teams.

The topic for May’s forum meeting will be a Local transport Q&A (UK wide). We’ll be joined by Roger Tyers and Mike Benson from the Library’s Business and Transport team, and Iona Stewart from the Library’s Social and General Statistics team.

Book your place on Act.

The forum is complemented by a dedicated Teams chat which enables you to share ideas and best practice, with support being on hand from the Library should specialist knowledge be required.

You do not have to be a caseworker to attend these sessions – they are open to any Members’ staff who handle casework.