Certified course on legislative scrutiny and technology

Certified course on legislative scrutiny and technology

This course ​explores​ the theory and practice of legislative scrutiny and explores the potential role of technology​ to augment these efforts​. The course will take place online and in Berlin from 9–22 January 2026.
Illustration of a magnifying glass zooming in on 4 people sat around a computer

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new course on legislative scrutiny and technology.

This course ​explores​ the theory and practice of legislative scrutiny and explores the potential role of technology​ to augment these efforts​. With a special emphasis on both ex-ante and ex-post impact assessments of legislation, the course examines how the legislative and executive branches of government can up​grade​ the quality of legislative scrutiny​ and leverage technology to​ ​improve feedback loops, ​implementation monitoring, and citizen engagement.  

Drawing on recent parliamentary innovations and expert case studies, this course is designed to equip policy and parliamentary actors with the knowledge and tools to lead innovation in a fast-changing governance landscape. 

Course information

Learning objectives

  • Understand the legislative cycle, including the central place of pre- and post-legislative scrutiny and legislative impact assessments.
  • Learn the theory and practice of post-legislative scrutiny (PLS), including how to conduct PLS inquiries.
  • Assess the potential and limits of technology in supporting legislative impact assessments and legislative scrutiny.
  • Identify best practices for transparency and public engagement in democratic lawmaking when integrating technological means.
  • Explore​ and test​ the available and new technological tools which can contribute to outcome harvesting, feedback loops and impact assessments of legislation

Who is the course for?

  • Members of parliament and parliamentary staff
  • Legislative drafters and legal advisors
  • Policy analysts and civil servants
  • Technology officers in governments and parliaments
  • Tech initiatives interested in democratic governance  
  • Political party representatives interested in law and tech governance
  • Civil society organisations involved in law and tech governance
  • Academics and researchers in public policy, governance and technology 

Course themes

  • The legislative cycle: from policy making to legislation, implementation and post-legislative scrutiny
  • Pre-legislative scrutiny: what it is and how to do it and how technology can help
  • Impact assessment and its role in legislative scrutiny
  • Monitoring legislative implementation and evaluating impact; and potential uses of technology
  • Post Legislative scrutiny: what it is, how to do it and how technology can help
  • Measuring the impact of legislative scrutiny and committee work
  • Case studies in pre and post legislative scrutiny
  • Consultation and citizen engagement: how to do it well and how technology can help
  • Using technology in the scrutiny work of committees and parliamentary research
  • Enhancing transparency and accountability through the use of technology 

Methodology

  • The course includes 12 modules of 1.5 hours each, counting a total of 18 teaching hours.
  • This course will be a Certified Course by the University of London. Participants must attend all modules of the course in order to receive certification.
  • The course will be conducted in English and include expert presentations, interactive sessions, and facilitated group discussions.
  • Case studies from different legislatures will ground theoretical insights in practice.
  • Contributions will also be drawn from guidance documents on post-legislative scrutiny by Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD).
  • The course is built upon the partnership between WFD and the Institute for Advanced Legal Studies of the University of London as established over the past few years. This year, the course will be organized in cooperation with the Popvox Foundation and the Political Tech Summit.
  • Several sessions will feature inputs from various partner institutions. 

Timing and location

  • Hybrid, two-part course: The course will be delivered in two parts. The first six modules will be delivered online, while the second six modules will be delivered in hybrid mode, enabling participants to either join online or in-person in Berlin.
  • Online: The first six online modules will take place on 8, 9, 12, 13, 15 and 16 January 2026, at 9:00 - 10:30 AM (UK time).
  • In-person and hybrid: The second six modules in hybrid format will be scheduled for 21 and 22 January 2026 from 9 AM to 4 PM (Berlin time).
  • Political Tech Summit: The hybrid part of the course on 21 and 22 January 2026 will take place in the days immediately preceding the Political Tech Summit in Berlin on 23 and 24 January 2026. This timing allows participants to attend both the course and the Summit, thus expanding the audience and enabling deeper engagement with cutting-edge discussions in the political sphere and civic technology. Course participants are encouraged to attend the Political Tech Summit as well, if possible.  
  • Participant preference: Participants are asked to indicate if they prefer to attend the second part of the Course online or in-person in Berlin.
  • Resource library: Registered participants will be granted access to a database of specialised resources relevant to the theme.

Costs and logistics

  • Fees: The registration fee for the course, either fully online or in a mixed online and in-person format, is £350 GBP per person.  
    • Early bird fee (until 30 September 2025) is £295 GBP per person.
    • A 10% discount applies for registration by a group of 5 or more participants.  
    • Registration is confirmed once payment through the credit card link at Eventbrite has been received.
  • Number of participants: While there are no strict limitations to the number of participants who want to join online for the entire course, the number of places for in-person attendance in the second part of the course will be limited. Acceptance of registration for in-person attendance will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Travel and accommodation costs: Course participants attending in-person will need to book and pay for their own travel, accommodation and meals while in Berlin.  
  • Political Tech Summit attendance: Participants interested to attend the Political Tech Summit 2026 need to register separately for the event. The Political Tech Summit is an in-person only event. Visit the Political Tech Summit Website
  • Visas: Participants who need a Schengen-visa to enter Germany can request a visa invitation letter. The period for the visa invitation letter covers the entire period of the second part of the Course and the Political Tech Summit. Participants are responsible for initiating the visa procedure in a timely way.  
    • In case a visa application would be denied, WFD will reimburse the registration fee of the registered participant, upon receipt of proof of visa denial. 

Contact

If you have questions or need more information, contact the team at pls@wfd.org.

Register for the course

Register by 30 September 2026 to receive an early booking discount.

Register now
The UK Houses of Parliament in London

What is post-legislative scrutiny?

Post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) is the systematic process where parliament monitors whether the laws it has passed are implemented as intended and where parliament evaluates if the laws have the expected impact. PLS is increasingly recognised as an important dimension within the oversight role and the legislative role of parliament and an integral part of the legislative cycle.

Over the past few years, WFD has supported the introduction, piloting and institutionalization of PLS in a large group of interested parliaments and assemblies and prepared research, guidance and other knowledge products.

Interested PLS practitioners or champions can request to join the Global Community of Practice on PLS through the LinkedIn Specialist Group. Join the LinkedIn Community of Practice. 

Explore WFD's work on PLS
IALS logo

The course is organised by Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the University of London’s Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS), in partnership with the Political Tech Summit and Popvox Foundation.

Find out about the IALS

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