Based on the concept of chief scientific advisers, thematic research leads bring impartial expertise, policy knowledge and a network of research connections to a variety of teams in and out of parliament.

The pilot programme for the project took place between January 2023 and summer 2024, and saw POST expand the programme for autumn 2024 from three leads to eight.  

The new thematic research leads joining parliament in September 2024 include Dr Varuna De Silva of Loughborough University, who will lead on artificial intelligence and digital, and Dr Helen McCabe of the University of Nottingham for arts and humanities.

Dr Jane Parry at the University of Southampton will cover business, economics and trade, while Dr Ruth Lamont from University of Manchester will lead on crime and justice.

At climate and environment will be Dr Andrew Russell at Queen Mary University London, while international affairs and national security will go to Dr Leslie-Anne Duvic-Paoli of King’s College London.

The final two thematic leads are Dr David Strain at University of Exeter, who is covering health, and at transport, Dr Louise Reardon at the University of Birmingham.

The first three thematic research leads hired in the pilot for the programme worked in parliament from January 2023 until this summer.

The new leads will work for three days each week in parliament, while continuing their role in their own academic institution.