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The International Affairs and National Security (IANS) Hub, a policy group within the UK House of Commons Administration, is forming a G20 Discussion Forum. It is seeking 8-10 experts on countries that are members of the G20, and on those countries’ approaches to foreign policy and multilateralism, to participate in this new initiative.

Participants will be drawn from academia and policy development communities. The group will focus on the following G20 members: Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, and the African Union. Experts with broader expertise on G20 summitry are also welcome to express interest in participating. We welcome expressions of interest from a range of disciplinary backgrounds, including international relations, economics, law, development studies, area studies and geography.

Forum activities

The IANS Hub supports House of Commons Library and Select Committee staff in informing Members of Parliament’s understanding and scrutiny of various areas of Government trade, aid, security, defence and foreign policy. Participants will support parliamentary staff in developing knowledge and networks relevant to the G20 and to the UK’s engagement with the G20.

This will involve participating in the Forum’s meetings which will take place every 6 to 8 weeks. Additional forms of engagement may include:

  • contributing materials on the G20 summit and its member states, for example literature reviews for dissemination to parliamentary staff
  • assisting with the development of parliamentary staff events
  • mentoring staff on the policies of G20 member countries on issues of international importance
  • helping to build expert networks that support knowledge exchange.

The time commitment is expected to range between 2 and 6 hours per month. This is a unique opportunity to share knowledge on timely foreign policy issues.

The Forum will run until the end of the calendar year, with the potential to extend subject to need and mutual agreement. Participants will not be remunerated, and the Forum will meet online, most likely on Thursdays.

Note that participants will be engaging with House of Commons staff. Direct interactions with Members of Parliament through the Forum are unlikely.

Eligibility

We welcome expressions of interest from researchers and other policy professionals whose expertise is nationally or internationally recognised in one (or more) of the following:

  • foreign policy and/or approach to multilateralism of at least one of the G20 members listed above
  • the functioning of the G20 as a multilateral forum
  • the priorities of the US G20 presidency
  • how the UK engages with the G20 and its respective members
  • how the G20 compares with other multilateral bodies or groupings focused on international economic issues.

In addition, applicants should:

  • have a strong network of contacts on the subject
  • be able to communicate complex issues clearly and effectively to non-specialist audiences
  • be committed to impartiality by offering balanced analysis that reflects a diversity of views and expertise.

Applicants are required to be UK residents. Early career researchers and junior professionals, as well as individuals from underrepresented groups, are encouraged to apply. Experts employed by the UK Government, or serving in an advisory capacity to the UK Government, are not eligible for this position.

Participants must abide by the House of Commons requirement to maintain political impartiality and avoid conflicts of interest (i.e. where there is a clash between your professional interest or the public interest, and your own self-interest). More information about these requirements will be provided at the webinar and at shortlisting.

Expressions of interest and information session

To express interest in participating in the Forum, please fill out this MS form. The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday 25 March 2026, 5pm.

We will hold a webinar on Wednesday 18 March 2026, from 10.00 to 10.30am. It will provide further information about the discussion forum and offer an opportunity to ask questions. Please register to attend by signing up here. The joining link will be circulated shortly before the webinar.

We aim to notify shortlisted applicants during the week commencing 6 April 2026. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to take part in an online interview, conducted as a group discussion. Multiple discussion groups may be scheduled; each applicant will be invited to attend one group during the week commencing 20 April 2026. Applicants invited to interview will be required to complete a declaration of interests in advance. Further information will be provided in due course.

While we will notify both successful and unsuccessful applicants, it will not be possible to provide individual feedback.