From contributing to live policy discussions to spotting familiar landmarks on a lunchtime walk, Louise offers a glimpse into the fast-moving, varied world of a Thematic Research Lead – where academic expertise meets the day-to-day business of Parliament.
There’s rarely such a thing as a “typical” day in this role, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be a Tuesday.
I usually catch an early train and arrive at the parliamentary estate by 10am. One of the benefits of the role is its flexibility: I can split my time between working from home and being in Westminster. I’m based in Yorkshire, so daily trips to London aren’t realistic, but I try to come down at least once a week. When I am here, it always feels special. There’s a real energy to the estate – you’re not just observing Parliament, you’re right in the middle of it.
The parliamentary calendar has its own rhythm, not unlike the academic year. There are intense periods when the House is sitting and everything moves quickly, followed by quieter stretches. During busier times, I might stay overnight in London and be on site more regularly, before returning to a longer spell of working from home. You have the autonomy to do what works best for you.
Tuesdays are particularly useful to be in the office because the Transport Select Committee secretariat meets. These meetings are a great opportunity to contribute, whether that’s through sharing expertise or suggesting academic experts who could add value to ongoing work. One of the real strengths of the TRL role is that you’re fully embedded in the team helping shape the work as it happens.
After a busy morning, I’ll take a break for lunch. Sometimes that’s in the Palace (for yet another quick nosy at Big Ben), or I’ll grab a sandwich and head to St James’s Park for a bit of fresh air. One particularly memorable lunchtime included joining colleagues on the Mall to cheer the Lionesses’ open-top bus parade following their Euros win, but there’s often something out of the ordinary going on.
The afternoon tends to be a mix of responsive and more forward-looking work. I’m based in the Business and Transport Section of the House of Commons Library, and often get involved when research enquiries come in from MPs. This might mean pulling together the latest academic evidence on a topic or contributing to the response. At other times, I support colleagues working at pace to produce debate briefings, helping ensure they’re informed by the most relevant research.
I also spend time on more forward-looking work. A few months ago, I hosted a team day for the section focused on engaging with academic research. We looked at how research quality is assessed and how experts are identified, comparing approaches from the Library and academia. It highlighted how different those perspectives can be, but also how important it is to connect them. Building that shared understanding helps address concerns and gives people more confidence in using academic evidence in practice.
Other afternoons might include preparing presentations for academic audiences on how research feeds into Parliament, or meeting with colleagues to plan knowledge exchange events. These conversations are a valuable way of bridging the gap between academia and policymaking, which is at the heart of the TRL role.
If there’s a Westminster Hall debate on a topic of interest, I’ll often drop in. They’re relatively quick and easy to attend at short notice, and they offer a fascinating insight into how evidence is actually used in parliamentary debate. Over time, I’ve become increasingly interested in seeing how academic research is interpreted and applied in these settings.
What stands out most about the role – and what I hadn’t appreciated really before I started – is how energising and rewarding a pretty “typical” day can be. Small moments can have a real impact: an ad-hoc conversation that shifts how research is viewed, or a comment in a meeting that sparks a new line of thinking. Those small, cumulative moments are what make the role so rewarding. I always end the day buzzing with ideas!
The UK Parliament is currently recruiting seven new part-time Thematic Research Leads for 2027-29. Find out more about the vacancies and read more stories from current and former TRLs.