About our international work
POST is an established leader in the field of parliamentary technology assessment. As one of the first bodies to advise a legislature on science and technology, we are often asked for support by other legislatures looking to strengthen their capacity in technology assessment and the use of research.
In addition to supporting evidence-based policy globally, our international work helps us to access information and professional development. It enables us to exchange knowledge and experience with other practitioners, reflect on our own practices, and learn from others. It also helps to enhance the reputation of the UK and the UK Parliament internationally.
For more information, please contact POST’s International Lead Dr Lydia Harriss
Current international work
Recent projects include:
- Chile – sharing knowledge and expertise with the Parliamentary Technical Advisory service of the Library of the National Congress of Chile. POST has also contributed to the Science Advice in the UK report commissioned by the British Embassy in Santiago.
- Argentina – providing advice and training to staff at the Argentine National Congress.
- Global landscape analysis – working with two Parliamentary Academic Fellows to conduct a global landscape analysis of science advice and knowledge exchange mechanisms to legislatures around the world.
POST is also a founding member of the European Parliamentary Technology Assessment (EPTA) network, a group of 25 organisations that advise legislatures on the possible social, economic and environmental impact of new sciences and technologies.
Previous international work
Previous projects include:
- Spain, 2018-2019 – providing advice and training to over 25 academics participating in the Ciencia en el Parlamento (‘Science in Parliament’) initiative, which led to the Spanish Congress approving the creation of a new science and technology office for the Congress in collaboration with the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology.
- Mexico, 2015-2019 – providing advice and training to support the development of science advice services for the Mexican Congress.
- Uganda and Malawi, 2015-2016 – hosting and training research staff from the Ugandan and Malawian Parliaments.
- Uganda, 2008-2012 – delivering a science advice capacity building programme for the Parliament of Uganda, including an executive summary and full report on the challenges that the Parliament of Uganda faced when handling issues in science and technology.
A brief history of POST
With 30 years of experience, POST is one of the oldest bodies of its kind in the world. But how was POST established and how does it continue to provide impactful science and technology assessment?