Do you get frustrated about the use of evidence in government policy making? Do you want to increase the policy impact of your research? Take part in the Royal Society pairing scheme – applications for scientists are open until Sunday 24 May.

Each year the Royal Society’s pairing scheme pairs 30 research scientists with UK parliamentarians and civil servants. By spending time together in Westminster and the researcher’s labs, participants learn about each other’s work and gain a greater insight into how research findings can help inform policy making. If you take part in the scheme you will have a chance to learn how parliament and government work and how you can feed in to the policy making process.

The scheme begins with a ‘Week in Westminster’ in which you will meet your pair. Over the week you will spend two days shadowing them, and also take part in workshops and hear from invited speakers. After the ‘Week in Westminster’ your pair will visit you in your lab to get an insight into the world of research.

This year the ‘Week in Westminster’ will take place from Monday 23 to Thursday 26 November.

For more information about the scheme and to apply please visit the Royal Society website (www.royalsociety.org) or contact Rachael Mann