Dr Caroline Kenny, UCL and Social Science Advisor at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology and Alun Evans, Chief Executive of the British Academy to give keynote addresses to close the conference. As Social Sciences Advisor at POST, Caroline Kenny leads a research programme to study the use of research evidence within parliamentary debate and scrutiny, including the impact of POST. In her talk she will reveal the role that social sciences research currently plays in parliamentary activity, outline ways in which social scientists should look to engage with parliamentarians and will tell us more about the recent report investigating how research evidence is used in Parliament.

Alun Evans, Chief Executive of the British Academy, the UK’s national body for the humanities and social sciences, will advocate for the positive role that social sciences research can play in making a difference in society and the economy, relating this to current challenges and socio-political context with some lessons for researchers to take forward.