Dear Member,
Welcome to the April 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.
Westminster Fellowship
April Careers Hubs
CSaP Annual Conference 2014
Researcher Mobility Fellowships
Teacher Training Scholarships
Survey: Calling all scientists – what’s it like being you?
Free support for teachers and students in London
Chemistry in water article collection – free access until 21 April 2014
Meet the Universities – registrations open!
Staff Members of the Month
RSC Events Deadlines
Westminster Fellowship
Take chemistry to Parliament through the Westminster Fellowship. Royal Society of Chemistry members with or studying for their PhD can apply to work at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) for three months, funded by a £5,000 RSC bursary. Brief MPs on science and technology issues, aid scientific research into public policy areas, and help raise public awareness.
Find out more and apply by 15 May.
April Careers Hubs
Dublin Careers Hub: 7
th–9
th April, Radisson Blu Royal
Hull Careers Hub: 28
th–30
th April, Mecure Hull Royal
Considering your next career move or thinking about a change of direction? An appointment with the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Careers Consultant at your forthcoming local careers hubs in
Dublin and
Hull offers the opportunity to discuss:
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Planning and managing your career
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Job search strategies
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CVs and Applications
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Interviews
All consultations are free and are completely confidential and are 45 minutes long.
If you are interested in attending please send us an email with your name and membership number, as well as details of what you would like to cover in the consultation, to
careers@rsc.org. One of our specialist careers advisers will be in touch to determine which option will be most beneficial to you.
I don’t need careers advice, is there anything else happening?
We would like to invite you to a
Profiles in Chemistry talk by local members.
In
Dublin:
Dr Yvonne Traynor, Head of Global Quality for Henkel, Ireland.
In
Hull: Ian Rippin, General Manager, National Laboratory Service of the Environment Agency entitled:
'Achieving Leadership in Chemistry - An Unconventional Route'
The talks will start at
6.30 pm on Tuesday 8th and 29th April respectively and are scheduled for 30 – 45 minutes. Profiles in Chemistry sessions showcase the variety of jobs there are in chemistry and introduce local employers. The session is free of charge and open to members and non-members. To register for the talk please select the 'Industry Hour talk' box when you register for the Networking Evening online (see below).
‘Networking Evenings’ are fun, informal events where you can meet new people, make new contacts and learn more about local Royal Society of Chemistry activities in a sociable and relaxed environment. Attendance is free and a buffet and drinks are provided.
Held immediately after the Profiles in Chemistry talks from 7.30 pm – 9.00pm. Members are encouraged to invite non-members who are interested in finding out more about us. You can register for the Profiles in Chemistry talk and the Networking Evening
here.
The places on these events are limited, so book soon to avoid disappointment.
CSaP Annual Conference 2014: Evidence, networks and policy - translating new ideas into better outcomes
10
th April 2014, The Royal Society, London
Download the latest agenda here
Click here to register
The Centre for Science and Policy’s third annual conference will bring together politicians, civil servants, experts and thought leaders to discuss how networks of expertise and evidence contribute to policy making and produce better outcomes.
If you haven’t yet signed up, it’s not too late. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear keynote speaker,
Richard Heaton (Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Office) talk about ‘innovation in the civil service’, and to see science spokespersons from the three main Westminster parties share the stage to debate the role of evidence in policy making.
Topics covered include: big data; open innovation; infrastructure for healthy ageing; and behavioural insights into emergency planning and response. This year’s conference has been sponsored by the
Royal Society of Chemistry. For more information, email
jackie.ouchikh@csap.cam.ac.uk.
Develop faster, travel further, collaborate more with Researcher Mobility Fellowships for young researchers
Online applications are now open. Don’t miss this opportunity to obtain funding for scientific visits to UK or international organisations to strengthen research collaborations and networking.
Open to PhD and Masters students and early career researchers, the Fellowships provide funding of £3,000-£15,000 for scientific visits of up to 2 years.
Find out more.
Teacher Training Scholarships -
next deadlines for applications 6th & 20th April
Do you have the potential to be an exceptional chemistry teacher?
In partnership with the Department for Education, we are offering 180 scholarships for the training year 2014/2015, worth £25,000 (tax free). Each scholarship also provides a support package including:
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Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) membership for 2 years;
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access to national and regional RSC support networks through local meetings, online communities, mentors, annual conferences etc;
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a selection of RSC materials including resources, lab coats and other consumables.
Don’t miss out.
Survey: Calling all scientists – what’s it like being you?
What motivates scientists and what pressures are they under? What effects are funding, publishing and governance systems having on the production of high quality, ethical scientific research and on the retention of good minds? Are current systems of assessment looking for the right things and using the best methods in order to encourage ethical conduct in science and the production of high quality, valuable and accessible research? Is competition in science a good thing?
These are some of the questions being explored in a
survey to find out how the different features of the UK research environment are affecting, both positively and negatively, the work and behaviour of scientists at all stages of their career.
The survey is part of a
project involving the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, Royal Society of Chemistry, Royal Society, Society of Biology and Institute of Physics which will gather views and promote debate about the culture of scientific research in the UK. In addition to the survey, a series of events will also take place across the UK this summer to discuss with scientists and others their views on these issues. The findings of the survey and events will be published and presented to policy makers towards the end of 2014.
We would like to hear from people involved in all kinds of scientific research in the UK (including bioscience, medicine, physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computing, veterinary science and psychology), in the public, charitable and private sectors. As well as researchers themselves, we would like to hear from others with an interest in scientific research, such as university managers and support staff, professional bodies, funders of research, editors and publishers of journals, science communicators, social scientists, policy makers, NGOs and campaigning bodies.
If this applies to you, we very much hope you can find the time to complete the survey. It will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
Find the survey at:
www.surveymonkey.com/s/sci-research-culture
Free support for teachers and students in London
We’ve been awarded significant funding from the Mayor of London, via the London Schools Excellence Fund, to expand our education activities in the capital.
If you’re a chemistry teacher or school student in London,
find out how you can benefit.
Chemistry in water article collection – free access until 21 April 2014
We’ve collected together some of the best research that demonstrates the importance and versatility of water as a medium in chemistry. And until 21 April you can
read all these articles for free.
Meet the Universities – registrations open!
Meet the Universities is a unique event which offers school students the opportunity to speak with multiple institutions offering courses in chemical science – all in one place.
If you or someone you know is interested in studying chemistry or a related subject at university, visit the
website today to find out more.
Staff members of the month
This month features our Careers Specialists Charlie Ashley-Roberts and Julie Franklin.
Charlie Ashley-Roberts
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Charlie moved to the RSC in 2009 after working in the pharmaceutical industry. Whilst at the RSC Charlie completed her careers qualification and feels that she has found her perfect job.
Charlie has just returned from maternity leave and has a daughter who she loves spending time with.
In her spare time Charlie has set up a sewing business and teaches jujitsu - a traditional Japanese martial art.
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Julie Franklin
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Julie first worked for the Royal Society of Chemistry from 1997 until 2004 in the role of Professional Services Manager looking after members’ career development and professional issues, and the Benevolent Fund.
She returned to the role of Careers Specialist in March 2013, after working in a freelance consultancy and training role for a couple of major professional bodies in the Engineering sector. Julie is a chemist and a long-term Royal Society of Chemistry member (35 years at the last count!). She still retains a great interest in the subject and enjoys supporting fellow members in advancing their professional lives.
Outside of work, Julie sings in a choir and is a member of an all-female close harmony vocal group. She also enjoys handicrafts and amateur astronomy.
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RSC Events Deadlines
Major deadlines coming up – check out the individual websites for more details and all the key dates.
