“It was a privilege to take part in the ALSPAC exchange and learn more about how Parliament can use academic research. I was particularly struck by ALSPAC’s success in retaining participants over time, its nuanced approach to evidence, and the value of viewing policy challenges through a longitudinal lens. The visit was inspiring, highlighting how research can inform policy, and I’ve since shared insights with colleagues in Parliament. Thank you to everyone in Bristol for the warm welcome”.
Alexandra Ming, Committee Specialist for the House of Commons Work and Pensions Select Committee
How can researchers make sure their work influences real-world decisions? That’s the question we set out to explore this year through a unique exchange programme between ALSPAC and the House of Commons Library and Select Committee Team (LSCT).
ALSPAC (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children) has been shaping public health policy for decades. From showing that babies sleep safest on their backs to uncovering links between peanut oil in skincare and allergies, our research has had global impact. But as we continue to generate insights, we need to ensure they reach the people who make policy.
A two-way exchange
To strengthen the connection between research and Parliament, we organised a two-part exchange. In May, a small ALSPAC team spent two days in Westminster. Then, in September/October, four LSCT researchers joined us in Bristol for two weeks.
Inside Parliament
Our team - Sarah Sullivan (Policy Adviser), Lindsey Pike (PolicyBristol Associate), Annie Herbert (Research Fellow), Petra Clifton (Communications Officer), and myself - had a packed schedule in Westminster.
We toured Parliament, met Select Committee staff, the Knowledge Exchange Unit (KEU), and Library teams, and observed debates in both Houses. We also attended a Science, Innovation and Technology Committee evidence session and met the heads of key policy hubs.
What stood out most was the speed and scale of the Library’s work. With around 26,000 research and information requests a year, many answered within 10 days, there’s little time for deep dives into academic research. It was also eye-opening to see how different Parliament is from Government: while both use evidence, they do so through separate teams and in very different ways.
Back in Bristol
In October, we welcomed LSCT colleagues to ALSPAC. Over two weeks, they met researchers from ALSPAC and the University of Bristol, as well as partners from Bristol City Council, Bristol Health Partners, Born in Bradford, Generation Scotland, Population Research UK (PRUK), and the Longitudinal Linkage Collaboration (UK LLC).
Highlights included a hybrid seminar - “How can studies get their data used by Parliament?” - attended by 70 people, and one-to-one drop-in sessions where researchers got advice on making their work more visible to Parliament.
What we learned
- Parliament is not Government
It’s a common misconception that Parliament and Government are the same. They’re not. Parliament focuses on scrutiny and debate, while Government uses evidence to design and deliver policy. Understanding this difference is key for researchers who want to engage effectively.
- Speed and clarity matter
LSCT researchers work fast, often responding to requests in just five days. They rely on trusted sources like the ONS, NHS England, and international bodies. There’s little time to search for new or unpublished studies, so researchers need to make their work easy to find and use. That means:
- Writing short, plain-English summaries
- Offering clear, actionable messages
- Using formats like briefs, infographics, or executive summaries
- Engage with Select Committees
Select Committees work at pace but can use academic research over longer periods, such as during an inquiry. The best way to engage is by responding to open calls for evidence within submission deadlines. Committees value written evidence, including interim findings or links to published work, as it increases the chance of your research being noticed and may lead to an invitation to give oral evidence. If you have questions about an inquiry or Committee work, you can contact the relevant Committee using the email addresses provided on their website.
- Know your thematic research lead (TRL)
Parliament’s Thematic Policy Hubs connect research with live policy issues. Each hub has a TRL an expert who bridges research and parliamentary work. For health, it’s Professor David Strain from the University of Exeter. These hubs, supported by POST, are helping Parliament use evidence more systematically.
- Relationships are key
Building relationships with parliamentary staff is possible and valuable. But it needs to happen through the right channels. POST and the KEU are essential. Researchers can:
- Attend engagement events and workshops
- Share concise, policy-relevant summaries
- Join academic–parliament networks and roundtables
PolicyBristol offers great support for researchers looking to do this well.
What’s next for ALSPAC
Following the exchange, we’re taking steps to strengthen our policy engagement:
- Monitoring POST and KEU updates, POSTnotes, Horizon Scanning reports, and Library briefings
- Reviewing Select Committee calls for evidence and connecting them with ALSPAC researchers
- Working with PolicyBristol to support submissions and oral evidence
- Making our website more accessible and useful to policymakers
- Building relationships with parliamentary staff and TRLs
- Appointing a single policy lead to coordinate contact
Final thoughts
This exchange has helped us better understand how Parliament uses evidence and how researchers can make their work more visible and useful. It’s also shown us the value of building relationships and communicating clearly.
We’re excited to continue this journey - exploring new ways to connect research with policy and ensuring that the insights we generate help shape a healthier, fairer future.
Huge thanks to everyone who made these visits possible - our colleagues at ALSPAC, the University of Bristol, and our partner organisations. Special thanks to Kyara Martin for coordinating the visits, and to Lindsey Pike and Sarah Sullivan for their expert input.