Experiences of a Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) internship and ‘Planning for Net Zero’ research briefing

Gianluca Bianchi, a PhD Researcher in Glaciology at Cardiff University and member of the NERC GW4+ Doctoral Training Partnership completed a Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) internship and produced a POSTnote research briefing titled 'Planning for Net Zero'.

In this GW4 Opinion piece, Gianluca shares their experience of working at POST – a research and knowledge exchange service based in the UK Parliament, and their research looking at the challenges and opportunities for England's planning system as the UK prepares to meet the 2050 Net Zero target.

Every year, around 125 policy internships are offered to UKRI funded doctoral students, across various policy organisations. These three-month internships aim to provide students with experience in transforming research into policy, while also giving them insight into career opportunities available outside academia. My motivation for taking part in one of these internships was primarily due to the increasing unpredictability of job security within the academic field. I was eager to explore alternative opportunities after I completed my doctorate.

I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the organisation I applied to: The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). POST plays a crucial role in supporting select committees in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords, with key responsibilities that include:

• Publishing impartial, non-partisan, timely and peer-reviewed research
• Assisting Parliament in accessing expert advice
• Identifying emerging areas of interest to Parliament
• Facilitating the exchange of information and expertise between researchers and Parliament.

(citation: https://post.parliament.uk/about-us/)

During my three-month tenure, my primary task was to produce a POSTnote, which is POST’s flagship research briefing. These reports summarise emerging research areas, highlighting both challenges and potential solutions. A significant amount of information is condensed into these digestible briefs, enabling anyone who reads them to quickly grasp the main issues. This format is designed to accommodate busy schedules, such as Members of Parliament and Lords, but I have found that they are particularly useful for anyone wanting to stay informed on current political issues.

When applying for the internship, it's important to articulate your research area, ensuring that your proposed research topic is relevant to both you and the host institution. I noticed that many of my peers were unable to align their PhD topics closely with POST’s predetermined research remit. For example, while there is a faint connection between my glaciological research and my POSTnote topic of ‘Planning for Net Zero’, the relevance quickly ended there.

My POSTnote specifically focused on the English planning system and related policies that are either aiding or hindering the delivery of net zero infrastructure and services. The research process was unlike anything I had experienced before. It involved extensive review of the literature, which was not limited to academic sources, as many consultancies published valuable insights on these issues.  Often, the House of Commons Library also had good background literature. One of the most surprising skills I developed was conducting interviews, a considerable departure from my STEM background. Interviews were crucial in shaping the POSTnote, with stakeholders including academics, local authorities, and energy and planning consultancies contributing their perspectives on what they considered the most pressing issues.

Engaging with a variety of stakeholders is one of the ways POST identifies key topics to publish and highlight to parliament. However, maintaining a neutral stance is essential, as POST’s role is strictly to inform rather than advise. For me, it was enlightening to witness this synergy between academia and policy, demonstrating how research can extend beyond mere citations to have a tangible impact.

One of the most important skills I practiced, which I believe is often overlooked in academia, was simplifying complex research so that high-level concepts could be communicated in plain language. This skill is critical when discussing key challenges, such as climate change. If those in positions of power cannot comprehend these issues, the chances of enacting meaningful change diminish significantly.

I hope my POSTnote will make a lasting impact in the coming months, especially with the upcoming Planning and Infrastructure Bill publication and debates about planning reform.

However, during my investigation into the planning system and its alignment with the UK’s Net Zero targets, I did experience some frustration within this framework.  Organisations like POST tirelessly present meaningful research to the government; yet the political filtering that Ministers often apply to the research they receive can feel like our recommendations are not included in final policy decisions. It made me realise that this must be especially disheartening for the researchers who regularly work with politicians and wonder what more we can do as researchers to ensure our findings better inform policy.

If given priority in future planning, the knowledge generated by these researchers holds immense potential to guide positive change. I am convinced that through ongoing advocacy and a focus on supporting better decision-making that includes environmental priorities, we can create a pathway toward a more sustainable and promising future.