Resources to help
policymakers & scholars connect
NOT SURE WHERE TO START?
These resources work best in order. Watch a short video to see what engagement actually looks like, find a live opportunity that matches your research, then use our guides to prepare before you reach out. Jump straight to a section below, or work through them one at a time.
Watch
Policy Engagement in action
Find
The latest engagement opportunities
Use
New to this? Start here. Three short case studies showing what engagement looks like in the parliament, government and the wider policy world.
Engaging with the parliament
Engaging with the wider policy world
Engaging with government
Once you know what engagement looks like, these are the live channels: our newsletter, the Brokerage network, and a search tool for current inquiries.
SPRE newsletter
- Monthly newsletter
- Webinars, training sessions & online events
- Internships for researchers & PhD Candidates
- Resources to expand your policy engagement skills
The Brokerage
A Knowledge Exchange Network for Scottish Policy & Research
- Receive urgent requests for expertise relating to policy in Scotland
- Notification of other opportunities for researchers to engage with policymakers.
- Weekly inquiries launched by the Scottish, UK, Welsh and Northern Irish legislatures and governments.
Latest government and parliamentary inquiries
- Calls for experts
- Open government and parliamentary inquiries
- From the Scottish, UK, Welsh and Northern Irish legislatures and governments.
Preparing for a specific piece of engagement? These guides cover tailoring your message and understanding how evidence gets used.
The Scottish Government and Research
Tips to engage with policy professionals
Dr Rebekah Widdowfield, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, gives researchers tips to engage with policy professionals in Scotland.
How is evidence used by policy professionals?
SPRE talks to Sally Thomas and Des Thompson of Scottish Natural Heritage about how researchers can work effectively with different parts of the policy community.