Dear Member,
 
Welcome to the September edition of the Networks Newsletter.  These monthly newsletters aim to keep all member networks updated with news describing how to get involved, as well as information of relevant events, services and new initiatives from the RSC Networks Team.
 
Reaching out through new ambassador scheme
 
From schools lectures and science festival demonstrations to competitions – our member groups get involved in lots of outreach activities that promote chemistry to school students and the general public.
 
We want to make sure that those of you who deliver inspiring chemistry outreach have the best support possible. Which is why we have partnered with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET) to create a joint chemistry ambassador scheme.
 
From September, STEMNET will administer the ambassador programme on our behalf, but we will support chemistry ambassadors through our networks, additional resources and materials.
By becoming a Royal Society of Chemistry STEM Ambassador, our members will be able to deliver outreach activities from practical chemistry sessions to careers presentations. And we will provide support through:

• access to an outreach resources area on Learn Chemistry; 
• an adaptable chemistry career presentation for students;
• networking events and a dedicated space on MyRSC to meet other ambassadors and share outreach activity ideas;
• newsletters to keep you informed on RSC outreach activities; and
• materials and promotional items.

If you are interested in becoming a Royal Society of Chemistry STEM ambassador, visit our dedicated website at http://www.rsc.org/Membership/Networking/RSCSTEMAmbassadors.asp
 
Existing ChemNet Ambassadors should have received a communication regarding the above changes to the scheme. If you have not, please contact education@rsc.org.
 
 
 Staff members of the month
 
Helping you to put a face to the name, this month we are featuring Fiona McMillan and Sarah Hobbs from the Member Services Department.
 

Fiona McMillan, Member Networks Team Leader

Fiona McMillan joined the RSC in December 2007 as a Membership Recruitment Executive. Before coming to work for the RSC Fiona worked briefly for Sanofi Aventis in isotope chemistry and metabolite synthesis.   Fiona studied for both her MChem and PhD at the University of Edinburgh, specialising in heterocyclic chemistry under the wise supervision of Professor Hamish McNab.   Fiona doesn’t have any free time because she has a toddler but thanks to Eilidh (age 2) she has a vast knowledge of local play parks and Fireman Sam. When not running around after Eilidh, Fiona is a Guide Leader and specialises in teaching Guides to light fires and rock climb.

Sarah Hobbs, Member Networks Specialist

Sarah Hobbs joined the RSC as a graduate trainee in October 2011. Sarah had previously studied at the University of Southampton where she also worked temporarily as an outreach technician.   During her 2 years at the RSC Sarah has spent time working in the Education Team before she took on her current role of Member Networks Specialist. Sarah currently supports our active Local Section members in carrying out their RSC activities.   Outside of work Sarah is a budding martial artist and is currently working towards her green belt in Jiu Jitsu.   Both Sarah and Fiona are extremely proud to work with our members and consider ourselves to be your advocates both within the RSC and externally.

 
 
Deadline for RSC Christmas Cards
 
If you wish to order RSC Christmas cards to send out to selected members of your section, please send an email request to msadmin@rsc.org by 27 September. Please include the selection criteria of the members (e.g. over 70 or retired) and we will arrange to dispatch the cards and address labels to you at the end of October.
 
Chemistry Week 2013: A Picture of Health
 
16th – 23rd November 2013
 
The RSC Chemistry Week is a themed week of events that is held every two years to promote a positive image of chemistry and increase the public understanding of the importance of chemical science in our everyday lives.
 
As well as national events, activities are organised throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland by RSC members. We wanted to give you notice of the dates in case your university or Student Chemical Society would like to run any activities or events to coincide with Chemistry Week.
 
The overall theme for Chemistry Week 2013 will focus on health.
 
There will be five main strands:
•             Aging
•             Hygiene (Water Quality)
•             Lifestyle (Cosmetics and Exercise)
•             Food and Nutrition
•             Global Challenges
 
More information will be available on the RSC website and through your Regional Coordinators nearer the time. There is also now an application for funding for networks running events in Chemistry Week. You can download the application form from the chemistry week website  

Global Experiment 2013 - Measuring vitamin C in food

We need vitamin C to stay healthy; it is a vital nutrient. Without enough vitamin C we can develop a disease known as scurvy. Humans, along with some other animals, have to eat foods containing vitamin C as our bodies can’t synthesise it. Many fresh fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, are especially good sources. Vitamin C may also be added to processed food as a supplement. Many fruits and vegetables contain vitamin C. Some of these we eat raw, others cooked and some are squeezed into juice as a drink. In the global experiment you will find out how to extract vitamin C from food and test how much is present.

Visit the Global Experiment webpage on Learn Chemistry to find out how to carry out one or all four parts of the global experiment.
 
Networks Blog

Keep up to date with the Networks blog to find out what our members are doing.
 
Check out the latest post about an RSC sponsored R&D Symposium in Lagos, Nigeria.
  
If you have any events that you would like to see on the blog, send information and pictures to networks@rsc.org.
 
 


 
Major deadlines coming up – check out the individual websites for more details and all the key dates.
 
RSC careers events in October and November
 
The Bristol Careers Hub, Monday 7^th – Wednesday 9^th October
 
The Bristol Careers Hub is running from Monday 7^th October – Wednesday 9^th October at the Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre. Whether you are actively job seeking or just reviewing your options, an appointment with one of our Careers Consultants offers the opportunity to discuss:
Planning and managing your career
Job search strategies
CVs
Application forms
Interviews.
 
As a new addition to the service in 2013 we are offering a selection of sessions including:
20 minute appointments for CV advice or job searching information
45 minute appointments for a more in-depth careers consultation.
 
As part of the Hub activities on the evening of Tuesday 8^th October there will be an Industry Hour from 6.30 pm – 7.30 pm and a Mixer Meeting from 7.30 pm  - 9.00 pm. Both of these events are informal and will give members in the Bristol area the opportunity to meet other local members and expand their network. A buffet is provided at the Mixer Meeting.
 
Members in the Bristol area will have received an email inviting them to take part in any of the activities included in the Careers Hub. To book an appointment with the Careers Consultant or to reserve a place at the Industry Hour or Mixer Meeting please email careers@rsc.org
 



The Royal Society of Chemistry annual online careers fair, returns from the 28 October – 1 November. Hosted on MyRSC, the free 5 day online event provides an opportunity to seek expert advice on career planning, making your next career move, and marketing yourself to employers. The event will feature a variety of themed days, including: teaching, returning to work, and alternatives to university for A-Level students.
 

• Discover the huge range of career opportunities available to chemical scientists
• Learn how to market yourself to employers in job applications and interviews
• Seek expert advice on career planning and making your next career move
• Investigate further part time study options
• Network with scientists around the globe

 
To register for ChemCareers, log into your MyRSC account and join the ChemCareers group here
 



Complementary to ChemCareers, this year we are introducing Chemistry World Jobs Live which will take place in The Chemistry Centre, Burlington House on Monday 25 November 2013 and it is free to attend.
 
Join us on November 25^th to meet with a selection of employers, discover a huge range of career opportunities, and participate in round table discussions and workshops. RSC Members will also have the opportunity to have a 1-2-1 CV Clinic with one of our careers specialists*. This event is ideal if you are:
 

• Looking for your first job
• Exploring the idea of a career change
• Dealing with redundancy
• Seeking a new challenge  

 
Why not come to ChemCareers for some great professional advice from the convenience of your own home, and then attend Chemistry World Jobs Live to find the job! This is a unique opportunity that can't be missed.
 
* Subject to availability, limited spaces apply
 
 
Free Chemistry World Webinar: Characterization of polymer blends by ion mobility mass spectrometry
3pm BST, 24 September 2013
 
The coupling of atmospheric solid analysis probe with ion mobility-mass spectrometry is an efficient tool for characterizing polymers and additives.
Join Professor Carlos Alfonso from the University of Rouen, and Chemistry World editor Bibiana Campos-Seijo, for this new webinar and learn more about using this approach to characterize polymer blends involving biodegradable polymers.    
 
Register for free
 

RSC Organic Division Poster Symposium sponsored by F.Hoffmann-La Roche

Closing date for Applications for the RSC Organic Division Poster Symposium, sponsored by F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Ltd is 02 October 2013. 

The symposium offers final year PhD students a chance to showcase their research to their peers, leading academics and industrial chemists, and is open to all branches of organic chemistry - in its broadest interpretation. The symposium takes place on 02 December 2013 at The Chemistry Centre, Burlington House, London.
For further information about the fantastic prizes and abstract submission, please visit the symposium webpage.
 

Tools and Strategies to Find Chemical Probes for Your Protein - The Role of Computer-Aided Drug Discovery, 15 November 2013, Charles Darwin House, London, WC1N 2JU, UK

Application and Abstract deadline: 16 September 2013

This is a joint Biochemical Society / Royal Society of Chemistry Workshop and the fifth of a series entitled "Analytical Tools for the Life Sciences". The workshop aims to bring together life sciences researchers that work at the interface between biology and chemistry to discuss research challenges and facilitate collaborations. The programme will feature speakers using a range of techniques and there will be plenty of networking opportunities. The workshop will be suitable for researchers in biology, the wider life sciences and computational chemists. Application and Abstract deadline is the 16 September 2013. For more information please visit the event webpage


Chemical and Biological Therapeutics Approaches to Neurological Disorders II, 23rd September, 2013, the Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, London

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Biotechnology Group and Chemical Biology Interface Division (CBID) are holding a one-day symposium, on the 23rd September, 2013, on Chemical and Biological Therapeutics Approaches to Neurological Disorders II, at the Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, London. The purpose of the meeting, is to give an update of new developments regarding the genetics, biochemistry, pathophysiology and medicinal chemistry  associated with the major neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. These developments should facilitate the discovery of better clinical biomarkers and improved medicines for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of patients with neurological disease. The presentations and posters will cover neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, autism, depression, epilepsy and pain. The majority of these psychiatric and neurological/neurodegenerative disorders cause long-term suffering and disability and thus create an important global public health problem.