Influencing Policy as Researchers

Institution of Mechanical Engineers
1, Birdcage Walk
London SW1H 9JJ

MPs, Members of the House of Lords, and Parliamentary staff use research as part of their work. Researchers can help them to scrutinise Government policy, debate pressing issues, and pass laws. Have you ever wondered how YOUR research could be influencing these decisions?

C-DICE is hosting this exclusive, one-day event in Westminster where researchers and academics can delve into energy and net zero policymaking in the UK, and gain invaluable insights on how to effectively engage with policymakers in Parliament.

Participants will have unprecedented access to learn from the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee, and will hear from the Chief Scientific Officer, Department of Energy Security and Net Zero; the Committee Clerk at the House of Commons and other key committee members.

The event programme will explore themes of the net zero policy landscape and how Parliament uses research, with a mix of presentations and panel discussions.

• Hear firsthand experiences from C-DICE Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) Fellows of their work for the Energy Security and Net Zero Select Committee.
• Explore key policy issues in the energy sector and their implications for future research by experts in the area.
• Understand how Parliament and Government operate, and how researchers can provide impactful written and oral evidence in a session facilitated by a Clerk of a Select Committee.

Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)

POST serves both Houses and produces short impartial briefings on topics in science, technology and the social sciences. The office draws on research to summarise existing evidence on policy, and also identifies topics likely to be of future interest to Parliament.

In addition, POST hosts events designed to bring MPs, Peers and parliamentary staff together with relevant experts, and also hosts academic fellowships.

In 2024, Dr Shivangi Sharma and Dr Humera Ansari started as C-DICE POST Fellows. In this role, they are responsible for communicating scientific issues to a wide audience by working with the ESNZ Select Committee, assisting in current inquiries, and carrying out related activities on an area of public policy.​

Benefits For Postdoctoral Researchers:

1. Enhancing Postdoctoral Researchers’ Understanding of Government Policy Landscape
   Navigate and understand the complexities of government policies, offering researchers a broader perspective for their research.
2. Providing Best Practices for Engaging with Policy Makers
   Equip yourself with effective strategies and tactics for engaging with policymakers, enabling you to communicate your research findings more persuasively and impactfully.
3. Increasing Awareness of Research’s Role in Policy Making
   Heighten your awareness of how research and innovation influence policy decisions, allowing you to better position your work to contribute to real-world change.
4. Inspiring Through Success Stories
   Find inspiration through stories of early-career researchers who have successfully engaged with policymakers, offering valuable insights and encouragement for your own endeavors.
5. Facilitating Interaction with Policymakers
   Interact with policymakers, fostering connections and collaborations that can drive your research forward.

Speakers

Programme

Speaker	Topic	Time
Arrival/Registration		9.30-10.00
Prof. David Saal Professor of Microeconomics, Loughborough University and Impact Hub Director, C-DICE	Introductions and welcome	10.00-10.05
Prof. Paul Monks Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Energy Security and Net Zero	DESNZ and policymaking	10:05-10:30
Dr Stephen McGinness Committee Clerk, House of Commons	ESNZ Select Committee – Evidence for academics	10:30-11:00
Dr. Josh Oxby	POST and the role of academics	11:00-11:30
Break		11:30-11:45
Prof. Mari Martiskainen Professor of Energy and Society, University of Sussex	Experiences from developing research to inform Net Zero policymaking	11:45-12:15
Dr Andy walker Technology Director, Johnson Matthey and Chair, SCI Energy Group	The various ways in which Johnson Matthey and SCI engages with policy makers around the clean energy transition	12:15-12:45
Suzanna Hinson Senior Library Clerk, House of Commons Library	The House of Commons Library and informing MPs	12:45-13:15
Lunch		13:15-14:00
Prof. Martin Freer CEO, Faraday Institution	Shaping policy from hot to cold: the role of academia and institutions	14:00-14:30
Dr. Jon Saltmarsh Chief Technology Officer, Energy Systems Catapult	Advising from inside Government and influencing from outside: using research to deliver lasting impact	14:30-15:00
Prof. Keith Bell co-Director of the UK Energy Research Centre and member of the UK’s Climate Change Committee	How to make ‘good policy’: academics’ potential contributions.	15:00-15:30
Break		15:30-15:45
Drs. Humera Ansari & Shivangi Sharma POST Fellows	Our experiences as C-DICE POST Fellows	15:45-16:15
Prof. David Saal Professor of Microeconomics, Loughborough University and Impact Hub Director, C-DICE	Closing	16:15-16:30

Support For Participants

Travel Grant

C-DICE has established a fund to help postdoctoral researchers attend face-to-face C-DICE events where they may otherwise not have the funds to do so. C-DICE will contribute up to £150 towards the cost of travel and/or an overnight stay. More details can be found here.

Caring Support Fund

The C-DICE caring support fund can be used for childcare, extra home help, nursing care, travel for caring support, for example.  If you wish to join the training but your caring responsibilities could present a barrier to participation, you can apply for the Caring Support Fund to meet additional costs. The purpose of the C-DICE Caring Support Fund is to help postdoctoral researchers with caring responsibilities to offset the additional costs of caring incurred by taking part in a C-DICE activity.