Research the political issues driving change today, see how politics works in practice and join a student-led that gives you the opportunity to contribute to real political projects.
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.
Politics Lab sessions take place Wednesday during term time, from 2pm to 4pm in G0104
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 investigate current political issues, respond to live briefs, write a briefing paper or contribute to work 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 on projects requested by MPs, peers and other political figures. Each project is different and will depend on the brief provided.Â
Depending on the brief, students might 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
Projects are shared through the Politics Lab’s networks.
Once a project is confirmed, academics prepare a brief, set the deadline, select a student team and appoint a project lead.
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.
When the team has completed its student-led research, the Politics academics review the work before it is sent to the client.
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.
Student experiences:
Sumaiya Anjum:
“Through Politics Lab, I had the opportunity to carry out extensive research on behalf of Baroness Hamwee, regarding the Conduct of Undercover Policing and Surveillance Operatives Bill (2026). This invaluable experience was incredibly rewarding, as our research reached the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for undercover policing! I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this project as it reflects the value of Politics Lab in bridging academic research to real-world policy-making”
Emilie Edward:
“Working on this project has been a very insightful experience, allowing me to develop my research and time management skills while working towards a formal deadline. Seeing the potential impact of our work has been rewarding, and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to contribute to such a valuable project”
Emilie Edward and Sumaiya Anjum at the Labour Party Conference 2026.
You can learn more about the NPCC project for Baroness Hamwee below.
One of our most impactful projects to date:
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. The project contributed to wider work that supported the campaign for legal recognition of British Sign Language. 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
Ella Weatherburn (Law with Politics, 3rd year, now graduated), Matthew Wallace (Law, 3rd year, now graduated) and Samuel White (Politics and International Relations, now 3rd year) completed research for Ashley Dalton MP, then a junior minister, on riparian ownership. This refers to the legal duties and obligations of landowners with public waterways, such as rivers and canals, on their land.
The students reviewed the current frameworks and rules, recommended changes to existing policy and considered how these could be implemented. Their findings were passed to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as the basis for policy recommendations to government. It is hoped that this work will contribute to the planned Clean Water Bill, which will be introduced when parliamentary time allows.
Undercover policing research for Baroness Hamwee used by National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)
Third-year students Emilie Edward and Sumaiya Anjum completed research for Baroness Hamwee of Richmond-upon-Thames to support her Private Member’s Bill on undercover policing.
The research came to the attention of the College of Policing, which passed it on to the National Police Chiefs’ Council. It was then presented to the Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police, the national NPCC lead for undercover policing.
The students’ work may now help inform future attitudes and policy towards undercover policing.
House of Lords reform research for Baroness Smith invited to attend the Bill’s second reading in the House of Lords.
James McConnell (Politics, MRes), Oluwatimilehin Ogunleye (Politics and International Relations, 3rd year), Fatimah Al-Mayyahi (Politics and International Relations, 3rd year) and Daniel Keavey (Politics and International Relations, 2nd year) completed research for Baroness Smith. Her Private Members’ Bill proposes a new framework to replace or abolish the House of Lords.
The students reviewed debates held since the House of Lords Act 1999, researched reports on House of Lords reform and identified peers and MPs who may support the Bill. Their research will help Baroness Smith frame the proposals against earlier legislation and debates, build cross-party support and prepare for the parliamentary debate. Following the Bill’s first reading, the students were invited to attend its second reading in the House of Lords on 23 October.
The Rise of AI Boyfriends and Girlfriends in the United Kingdom.
Third-year students Ella Weatherburn and Matthew Wallace researched the growth of AI companion platforms after the Politics Lab was approached with a brief to help Ofcom understand the potential harms and emerging risks.
The politics lab was approached with a brief to help the communications regulator, Ofcom, understand the potential harms of AI companion platforms. This research helped inform the regulator to understand emerging risks and appropriate regulatory responses.
It investigates the rapid growth of AI companions, including AI boyfriends and girlfriends, and their implications for users in the UK. It argues that while such systems may help some people with loneliness and social anxiety, they also create risks of emotional dependency, social withdrawal, manipulation, privacy violations, and exposure to harmful content, particularly for young people. The report also evaluates how the Online Safety Act 2023 could be applied to these platforms and recommends stronger age verification, transparency requirements, wellbeing safeguards, and regulatory oversight. Its purpose is to inform Ofcom about emerging risks and appropriate regulatory responses.
Team: This report was produced by third year students Ella Weatherburn and Matthew Wallace.
Impact: Due to the work of Ofcom, they have been unable to provide public comments on this report.
Interview with Josh Dean MP
We sat down with Josh Dean, Labour MP, following his victory in Hertford and Stortford in the general election. Ella Weatherburn interviewed him on a range of topics, including his experience of entering politics in his early 20s as well as his and the Labour Party’s priorities following the general election. You can read more here
Projects in the Pipeline:
Rail Fares in the UK
Military defence in the Gulf
Previous Politics Lab projects:
Read about our previous work on our Talking Politics blog, written and commissioned by Politics Lab students:
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.
