What We Do

The Hansard Society is the UK’s leading independent, non-partisan political research and education charity. We aim to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics. At the heart of our work is the principle that civic society is most effective when its citizens are connected with the institutions and individuals who represent them in the democratic process. We inform decision makers and the public through debate and discussion, training, research, providing accessible resources and analysing the scope of new technology in engaging the public.

Who We Are

The Hansard Society is made up of members of staff that run the programmes and their related projects, organise events and conduct research and the Advisory Council supports the staff in their work. View the biographies of the Hansard Society staff and Council in this section, including the responsibilities each member has within the organisation and their contact details.

Our History

The Hansard Society was established in 1944 to promote the ideals of the parliamentary system of government and to ensure that democracy would be safeguarded by being understood, debated and improved by parliamentarians and the public. Our first members were Winston Churchill and Clement Attlee, and since then the Prime Minister of the day and leaders of the main opposition parties have publicly supported the work of the Hansard Society. More than 60 years on, the Hansard Society is universally recognised as the independent and non-partisan authority on Parliament and democracy. Today, our work encompasses a wide range of areas, from citizenship education to the role of Parliament, from devolution to the impact of new media on politics.

Supporting the Hansard Society

As a charity, the Hansard Society relies on funding from individual donations, grants from charitable trusts and foundations, corporate sponsorship, and donations from individual parliamentarians from Westminster and the devolved institutions who contribute to our Parliamentary Patrons scheme. Find out how you can get help support the Hansard Society's important work.

Message from our Co-Presidents

The Hansard Society for the first time has Co-Presidents. Recognising the importance of our work with both Houses of Parliament we are delighted to welcome Rt Hon John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons and Rt Hon Baroness Hayman, the Lord Speaker as our Co-Presidents. The Hansard Society aims to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics and we look forward to working with both the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker to achieve these aims.

Internships

The Hansard Society has a long tradition of supporting interns in beginning or further developing their political careers. Many that have worked for us have gone on to distinguished careers in a variety of sectors and organisations including the civil service and Parliament, public affairs consultancies, NGOs and charities, the media and some have attained permanent positions within the Hansard Society . We feel we are able to provide a spring board into a political career through our broad network of contacts and wealth of experience of the political system. Current vacanices - Communications & Events Intern

Vacancies

Trustee Vacancies

The Hansard Society is the UK's leading independent, non-partisan political research and education charity.  We aim to strengthen parliamentary democracy and encourage greater public involvement in politics.  Our work encompasses a broad range of areas, from citizenship education to the role of Parliament, from devolution to the impact of new media on politics.  Our Research and Education Programmes have genuinely made a difference to the democratic processes in the UK and beyond.

The Hansard Society is managed by a Chief Executive and 6 Directors and is currently governed by a Board of 7 volunteer Trustees.  The Society is currently looking for 3 new Trustees to join the Board.

If you are interested in participating in the governance of the Hansard Society, please download the application pack.  The deadline for applications is Friday, 26 February at 5pm.  If you would like an informal and confidential discussion about the Society and its governance please contact Fiona Booth, CEO on 020 7438 1212.

Annual Report

The Hansard Society is the UK’s leading independent, non-partisan political research and education charity.

We aim to improve public understanding and involvement with parliamentary democracy, especially among young people, and improve the effectiveness of political institutions.

Click here to read the Hansard Society's Trustees' Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2008.