SPARK Hosts Workshop for Parliaments and Knowledge Edited Collection

This summer SPARK hosted researchers from across the world for a workshop on parliaments and knowledge.

From 30 June to 1 July 2026 almost 30 academics and practitioners from numerous countries and continents met at the University of Edinburgh and online to discuss draft papers as part of an edited book and special journal issue on the theme of parliaments and knowledge. As a core part of SPARK, these publications will map, reassess and deepen what we know about the links between parliaments and knowledge practices.

Papers covered diverse methodological approaches, theoretical frameworks and empirical cases. In terms of institutional aspects, these include a focus on MPs and speeches, parliamentary research services, committees, the roles of experts and interest groups, and more. 

The workshop was also a chance to identify key gaps and themes that will frame the overall edited collection. These included recurring themes regarding:

• conceptual and theoretical issues (e.g. the meaning of definitions of knowledge)

• practices of knowledge use

• functions of knowledge use

• implications for democratic governance

Issues in each of these thematic areas will be developed and explored in the final chapters and articles in the edited collection.

Beyond academic activities, in-person participants took part in a workshop dinner at the French Institute of Scotland, and a tour of the Scottish Parliament. 

We look forward to providing further updates on the publication of our edited book and journal special issue in 2027. 

Image credit: SPARK