On 29 January 2026, academics from the University of Southampton were granted a rare and invaluable opportunity: a dedicated masterclass at the Palace of Westminster, hosted by Lord Redesdale and featuring special guest Earl Russell. The session offered a candid, first-hand guide to navigating the corridors of Parliament and embedding academic research at the heart of policymaking.
Organised by Public Policy|Southampton in collaboration with the University of Sussex, our academics were given the opportunity to hear first-hand from Lord Redesdale on the modes of engagement for academics with both Houses of Parliament. This included an overview of the consultation and inquiry process, bill readings, and the best times to get involved to push research through on the policy agenda.
Lord Rupert Redesdale is a British environmentalist, sustainability advocate, and member of the House of Lords. A long-standing champion of environmental responsibility and biodiversity, he has dedicated much of his public and professional life to advancing sustainable policy and promoting nature-based solutions to climate and ecological challenges. As a Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Redesdale has been an active voice in parliamentary debates on energy, climate change, archaeology, conservation, and sustainable development. He has worked extensively to raise awareness of the importance of protecting biodiversity and has supported initiatives aimed at accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Southampton academics represented faculties across the University, including Professor Fraser Sturt, Professor Helen Farr, Professor Jo Sofaer, Professor AbuBakr Bahaj, Dr. Mohammad Soorati, Professor Patrick James, Professor David Bream, Dr. Nat Easton, Dr. Gordon Inglis, Professor Christopher Prior, Dr. Arjun Awasthi, Dr Bahar Rastegari, Dr. Rafael Mestre, and Dr. Anna Collar.
“Public Policy engagement has two broad channels; formal (responding to Select Committee Inquiries, being invited to policy workshops, secondments into Government) and informal (chats, coffees, friendships and well-timed words in attentive ears). To be successful at engaging with policy, researchers need to be confident swimmers in both channels - and know which to use when. I've met lots of Lords in my time and they are uniformly a fascinating bunch, but rarely are they so open. Lord Redesdale has continued to remain over the years a helpful, open and generous host to researchers at Southampton making connections with other Peers, House staffers and Civil Servants. He has provided insight, colour and even a guided tour of Monarch's robing room. I'm glad that researchers have been able to take part Lord Redesdale's dip into the informal channel of policy engagement in the House of Lords and would encourage others to go along the next time PPS curate this visit.” – Gareth Giles, Head of Public Policy|Southampton
The session began with a comprehensive overview of the many routes through which academics can engage meaningfully with both Houses of Parliament. He outlined the mechanics of the consultation and inquiry process, explained the stages of bill readings, and offered frank advice on timing, emphasising that early engagement is often the difference between research that influences policy and research that merely informs it.
Adding further depth to the afternoon, three Committee Clerks from the Science and Technology Committee and the European Affairs Committee joined the session to share their perspectives. Their attendance was a highlight of the event, offering attendees a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how parliamentary committees function and, crucially, what makes an academic submission stand out. A policy analyst also spoke to the group, focusing on the practical art of translating complex research into language that resonates with a policy audience. Policymakers are time-pressured and generalists in their remit, and academics who can present their findings with clarity, and a direct link to real-world outcomes are far more likely to see their work taken up.
Another compelling contribution of the afternoon came from Earl Russell, a member of the Environment and Climate Change Committee and Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, who offered an honest and personal account of his experience steering legislation through Parliament. With candour, he described the persistence required to navigate procedural hurdles, build cross-party support, and keep momentum alive in the face of institutional resistance.
The day provided a significant opportunity for Southampton researchers to discuss their research communications directly with Peers and Committee Clerks, giving them tailored advise for engaging with policy.
If you are an academic wanting to engage in policy or Parliamentary activity to maximise your research impact, please reach out to publicpolicy@soton.ac.uk.