Giving volunteers their just “awards”
Firstly, can I put a general call out to all readers of this blog to submit nominations for the various RSC awards available this year!
Secondly, sorry for the awful pun! But this is an issue that was discussed by the younger members forum at the GA, and highlighted by no less than Prof. Charles Stirling, FRSC FRS in a letter published in the December 2010 (once the issue is placed in the archive on the RSC website, I'll link in! It's been replaced by the January issue already!!) issue of RSC News. In both his letter and our meeting we discussed the lack of awards for the voluntary members of the RSC, who put in so much time and effort promoting chemistry in their own unique ways. There are scientific, industrial and educational awards, but where are the awards for the volunteers?
Neville Reed answered Prof. Stirling’s letter by stating that the Nyholm Prize and the Inspiration and Industry Award partially cover this area, although perhaps are not properly advertised as doing so. So let’s see exactly how these awards are advertised (bear in mind this category of “Outreach” was only set up as a response to Prof. Stirling)?
Nyholm Prize for Education: The Nyholm Prize for Education recognises a major national or international research or innovation contribution to the field of chemical science education.Inspiration and Industry Award: The Inspiration and Industry Award is recognise the contribution of an individual in industry to the outreach, promotion or teaching of the chemical sciences.
So the industry one looks okay but the Nyholm? Certainly it is not been marketed as an outreach award, rather an award for those outstanding chemistry teachers at all levels (which is fine!).
So at the GA, we enquired about a new award, specifically to recognise the contributions of young volunteers. I’ve been told we need to get a proposal together for consideration by the MQB and possibly Council, so here it goes:
In a similar vein to the young scientific awards, which recognise outstanding contributions by scientists under a certain age from all the disciplines of chemistry, an award should be created to recognise a young person who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of chemistry and/or catered for the developmental needs of the modern professional chemist. Unlike other awards, the recipient should not be making a career out these activities (for example working in education, consulting or careers services etc.) but rather should be developing and initiating new schemes on a voluntary basis. My proposed criteria are:-
Open to everyone, under the age of 35.
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Candidates are permitted to nominate themselves.
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A specific project must be named as the key justification for the award, although other contributions may be mentioned in support of the applicant.
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The impact of the project, rather than how it was funded, is the key criterion. (By this I mean non-RSC projects that promote chemistry/skills development for chemists are eligible)
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The candidate’s critical role in the specific project must have been entirely voluntary in nature.
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A one page supporting statement, addressing the selection criteria.
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Winner to be selected by a panel made up of members of the MQB and the YMF.
I’d like to open this to the floor for discussion and refinement. Am I wrong to specify “younger” members? Do we want to identify exceptional projects or exceptional people? Individual prizes or to groups?
I’d also like to encourage those younger members out there who know of someone, or are themselves, doing fantastic work for the RSC for both the Nyholm and I&I awards. Since these are the best the RSC can offer at present, we should get our names in the hat! Personally I know of two or three people whom I’ll be nominating!!
Please, please, please give me your ideas. I will then take them on up the chain of command and see if we can’t get a new award for the men and womenon the frontlines!
T. F. R.
Posted by
David Foley on Jan 6, 2011 5:07 PM Europe/London
