Call for Papers — Open Sessions

Library and Research Services for Parliaments

• 8 January 2020, 16:11

Theme: "Evidence-based policy’ and parliamentary library & research service practice: what works?"

The Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section (IFLAPARL) is pleased to invite proposals for presentations at its open session during the 2020 World Library and Information Congress (WLIC) in Dublin. The WLIC, under the general theme “Inspire, Engage, Enable, Connect” will take place from 15-21 August, 2020. The actual date of the IFLAPARL session is yet to be confirmed.

Aim and scope

Parliamentary library and research services have as a core function the provision of ‘evidence’ for representatives to undertake their work on policy. This is achieved by library and information services and products, and through research services, if offered. Provision is, however, one thing, while actual use may be something else. What does ‘evidence-based policy’ mean in a parliamentary context?

Given that parliamentary library and research services operate in a strictly non-partisan manner, explicit support for a UN SDG may not, in some contexts, be considered neutral. Work around ‘evidence’ however, can arguably make an impact on the objectives of the UN SDGs, whether as an intended outcome or not. The impact of the services would be most marked for UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 which in part concerns an aim to ‘build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions’ but other SDGs are also relevant.

The aim of the session is to share knowledge on how services support the use of ‘evidence’ and to critically examine academic study of ‘evidence-based policy’ in a parliamentary context. The academic studies may yield insights into how we can improve our practice; equally our practical experience may have something to add to the academic studies.

Issues addressed in the session might include:

• How can science be effectively communicated to the parliamentary audience?;
• The application of gender-based information and analysis in parliaments (SDG 16 + SDG 5: ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls’)
• How do parliamentarians actually use evidence? – in particular, as information/documentation and library resources, or as research services/products;
• How parliamentarians can be supported in their use of evidence? (e.g. by training, innovative products/services);
• Can communication of evidence to parliamentarians be successfully re-used to inform citizens?
• What insights does the academic study of ‘evidence-based policy’ provide for our practice?
• What has been the experience of parliamentary services – notably some in Africa – that have consciously applied an ‘evidence-based policy’ approach?
• What insights can we offer to those studying ‘evidence-based policy’?

We are looking for substantive papers of 4-6 pages taking a critical approach to these issues, with relevant cases from library and research services, including analyses of projects and initiatives of general interest to Section members.

Some possible examples include, for illustration only:

• an account of delivery of gender-based evidence;
• demonstrations of use of library resources in policy work in parliament;
• examination of science communications in a parliamentary context;
• communicating parliamentary research products to a wider (public) audience;
• the reality of evidence-influenced rather than evidence-based policy in a parliamentary context;
• an analysis of a service’s contribution to SDG16 at national or regional level.

Other topics on the theme are very welcome. Papers from a variety of perspectives, experiences and regions are sought.

Format:

Papers:

We are looking for substantive papers of 4-6 pages. A paper may be submitted in any of the seven official languages of IFLA (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian or Spanish) provided it is accompanied by an accurate summary in English of up to 400 words. A translation into English, provided by the author, will be required for papers selected for the session.

Presentations:

The IFLAPARL open session will be comprised of five or six short presentations, of 10 to 15 minutes (maximum) each, based on the selected papers. The session will be divided into two parts with a period for question/answer and debate at the mid-point and end.Presentations may be in any of the seven official languages of IFLA, subject to the availability of interpretation services at the conference. Presenters should be ready, if necessary, to present in English or in a language which has interpretation available.

Presenters are asked to select a presentation format, using a limited number of narrated slides, photographs, video clips or similar, to ensure that the presentation is interactive and engaging. Formats other than PowerPoint presentations are very welcome.

Submissions:

Please send your proposals by Friday 6 March 2020 at the latest.

Proposals should be limited to one page, and include:

• An abstract outlining your project or initiative and its relation to the theme of ‘’Evidence-based policy’’
• The technical presentation requirements
• Your name, jurisdiction/institutional affiliation, and contact information

Please send to:

Iain Watt, IFLAPARL Chair
Email: iflaparl.chair@gmail.com

and

Sonia Bebbington, IFLAPARL Secretary
Email: Sonia.bebbington@parl.gc.ca

All proposals must be received by Friday, 6 March 2020 and will be reviewed by a panel from the Library and Research Services for Parliaments Section Standing Committee.

Please note:

At least one of the paper’s authors must be present to deliver a summary of the paper during the program in Dublin. Abstracts should only be submitted with the understanding that the expenses of attending the conference will be the responsibility of the author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.

The paper must be an original submission not presented or published elsewhere. All papers that are presented at the WLIC 2020 will be made available online via the IFLA Library under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license.

Authors of accepted papers must complete the IFLA Authors’ Permission Form.

All expenses, including registration for the conference, travel, accommodation etc., are the responsibility of the authors/presenters. No financial support can be provided by IFLA, but a special invitation letter can be issued to author(s)/presenter(s) of accepted papers.

Congress Participation Grants

List of opportunities for support is available on the Apply for Grants & Awards webpage.