Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)

POST is the UK Parliament's in-house source of independent, balanced and accessible analysis of public policy issues related to science and technology. Our aim is to inform parliamentary debate. POST assists the UK Parliament in many ways by:

• publishing POST notes (short briefing notes) and longer reports. Both focus on current science and technology issues and aim to anticipate policy implications for parliamentarians;
• supporting select committees, with informal advice, oral briefings, data analyses, background papers or follow-up research. Committees may approach POST for such advice at any stage of an inquiry;
• informing both Houses on public dialogue activities in science and technology;
• organising discussions to stimulate debate on a wide range of topical issues, from small working groups to large lectures;
• horizon-scanning to anticipate issues of science and technology that are likely to impact on policy.

POST's analyses are conducted by its team of specialist advisers, complemented by fellowship schemes. To assist their work, the advisers are in regular contact with a wide range of external experts. These, along with POST's Board, also review all POST reports before they are published. Input comes from businesses, academia, government, regulators and NGOs.