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The Politics Lab

Research the political issues driving change today, see how politics works in practice and join a unique student-led community you won’t find at other universities.

Politics students have a discussion at a roundtable

What is The Politics Lab?

The Politics Lab is a voluntary project that joins students from all disciplines, not just politics, with a strong interest in politics, legislation, policy-making, or the media.

The Lab takes on and completes practical projects. Some projects are for clients in the world of politics. Other projects relate to opportunities such as Select Committee Inquiries.

What's in it for me?

The Politics Lab gives you the opportunity to apply what you are learning to current political issues. You could conduct research, respond to a brief, write a briefing document or contribute to work that is shared with MPs, peers and political organisations.

Through this work, you can develop skills in research, analysis, communication, teamwork and writing. You will also gain experience that you can draw on in future job, placement and further study applications.

 

How does it work?

Politics Lab students work together to complete research requested by MPs, peers and other political figures. Each project is different and will depend on the brief provided. 

Students may be asked to investigate a political or policy issue, review existing evidence, produce recommendations or prepare a briefing document. Some projects may contribute to parliamentary debates, proposed legislation or wider policy discussions.

The Politics Lab Journey

  1. Projects are shared through the Politics Lab’s networks.
  2. Once a project is confirmed, academics prepare a brief outlining the task and background information about the client. They will also set the deadline*, select the team of students and appoint a project lead.*Deadlines vary. Some project may need to be completed within a week, while others may run over several months.
  3. The student team works together on the brief. They can use the weekly Politics Lab sessions to develop their ideas and conduct group research. Depending on the deadline, they may also need to work on the project outside these sessions.
  4. When the team has completed its student-led research, the Politics academics review the work before it is sent to the client.
  5. Once the research is published, each team member from the Politics Lab who participated in this project will be named on the research, not the academics.

Three Politics Lab students discussing a project

One of our most impactful projects to date:

hand spelling out letter form the alphabet in British sign language

Research on British Sign Language for Rosie Cooper MP:

Politics Lab students supported Rosie Cooper MP’s campaign to secure legal recognition for British Sign Language. The team carried out interviews, researched how other counties approach sign language recognition and produced a briefing document ahead of the Bill’s second reading. Their work was referenced in Parliament, they received a thank you letter from the MP and the project contributed to part of a process leading to a change in the law. In the Commons third reading debate, Rosie Cooper said:

“I have had help from very many people. Locally, it has been all hands-on deck. My specific thanks go to the Politics Lab group at Edge Hill University in my West Lancashire constituency, who have been helping out by conducting interviews, gathering data and creating a briefing to aid the campaign.” (Hansard 18 March 2022.  Vol 710.  Column 1196)

2026 Politics Lab projects:

Riparian ownership policy change research for Ashley Dalton MP – This work may contribute to the planned Clean Water Bill
Undercover policing research for Baroness Hamwee used by National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)
House of Lords reform research for Baroness Smith invited to attend its second reading in the House of Lords on 23 October.
Interview with Josh Dean MP

You can read more about our previous projects on our Talking Politics blog, written and commissioned by Politics Lab students:

Talking Politics

Need more information?

Prospective students, current students, local schools, and individuals interested in suggesting a project are welcome to contact Lecturer in Law and Politics, Dr Steven Daniels. You can also follow our department Instagram page to stay up to date with the latest Politics Lab work.

Email
[email protected]
Department Instagram
@ehu_law_cj