Dear Member,
 
Welcome to the January 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.
 
 
The RSC takes over operation of the EPSRC National Chemical Database
 
The RSC is now operating the EPSRC National Chemical Database Service. The service will build on an initial offering of access to core commercial databases for UK academia, to develop a chemistry data repository to increase the value and impact of researchers' funded work. Further information can be found online.
 
 
RSC Parliamentary Links Scheme
 
The Royal Society of Chemistry is the leading scientific society in building bridges between the scientific community and Parliament.  One of the ways in which we achieve this is through the Parliamentary Links Scheme.  The RSC runs this innovative and pioneering scheme which provides for the many MPs from all three major parties who currently participate. The Link Scheme provides a means of mutual contact between the RSC Link and the MP, and a mechanism to offer briefing and material to the MP which may be of assistance.
 
An MP joining the system is "linked" with a member of the RSC who lives in that MP's constituency and to whom the MP can turn to for advice and/or scientific assistance on chemical science, or on any matter concerning the RSC. The MP is also provided with background briefing material by the RSC directly on subjects concerning chemical science whenever they arise (whether in legislation, Parliamentary Questions, general or adjournment debates etc.) in the course of the weekly cycle of parliamentary business.
 
Currently we have approximately 100 Link Members across the UK but our ultimate goal is to have a Link Member for each of the 650 constituencies.  If you are an RSC member and would like to get involved with the Parliamentary Links Scheme please contact Lorraine Martin from the Parliamentary Affairs Team (martinlo@rsc.org).
 
The Link MPs receive occasional invitations to events organised by the RSC: most important is the annual Parliamentary Links Day. This is held at the House of Commons and takes the form of a morning session featuring short presentations by specially invited speakers followed by a luncheon which provides an opportunity for Link MPs and RSC Links to meet informally.
 
For more information about our current activities please visit the website http://www.rsc.org/science-activities/parliament/index.asp.
 
 
Deadline for nominations for 2013 RSC Awards and Prizes
Nominations for the 2013 RSC Prizes and Awards are open! The deadline for nominations is January 15^th. Please use the links on the RSC Prizes and Awards pages to find out more details and the criteria for each Prize and Award.
 

Royal Society of Chemistry to publish The Merck Index
 
The famous “bible” of chemistry, The Merck Index, is to join the highly acclaimed publishing portfolio of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
 
The Merck Index has been considered the standard chemistry reference work for generations of professionals and has sold over one million copies worldwide. From April 2013, the Royal Society of Chemistry will take over its publication and launch the 15^th edition.
 
Dr James Milne, RSC Executive Director, publishing, said: “The Merck Index is a quality product with a peerless pedigree but, being familiar to the scientific community worldwide, it is also emblematic of our organisation’s rapidly-expanding international presence and influence. We know The Merck Index will be a valuable addition to the products and services the RSC offers its customers. Now we are looking forward eagerly to developing The Merck Index for the digital future.”
 
The RSC already plans significant development of The Merck Index online – beginning with offering all buyers of the 15^th edition one year’s free access to a newly-developed online version. The RSC will continue to develop The Merck Index to provide a valuable, trusted and relevant resource for scientists and researchers.
 
To find out more about the 15^th edition of The Merck Index visit www.rsc.org/merckindex and register your interest to receive further updates.
 
*The name THE MERCK INDEX is owned by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, N.J., U.S.A., and is licensed to The Royal Society of Chemistry for use in the U.S.A. and Canada.
 
 
Did you know?
The RSC Issue in Environmental Science and Technology series (two new volumes published annually) tackles important environmental topics in response to the rapid growth of interest in this area and need for authoritative reviews of such topics. Written by world experts in their specialised fields, the series presents a multidisciplinary approach to pollution and environmental science and, in addition to covering the chemistry of environmental processes focuses on broader issues: notably economic, legal and political considerations.

It is invaluable for scientists and engineers in industry, public service, consultancy and academic institutions, who wish to keep up-to-date on topical subjects in this emotive field. The series is also essential reading for students taking specialised courses in environmental chemistry and provides supplementary reference material for general science courses. 
The latest volume: Soils and Food Security is available now! For more information visit http://www.rsc.org/shop/books/series.asp?seriesid=12


 

March inserts for Chemistry World


If you wish to add an insert to the March edition of Chemistry World, please note that the deadline to send print-ready Word documents is 30 January. Up to 3 inserts can be included; they are single or double sided, black and white and printed on A4 paper. Please send your inserts to networks@rsc.org by 30th January at the latest.
 
 
Notes from the Networks Team

A note for RSC Treasurers
 
As you may have noticed this year the RSC Finance Report forms have changed slightly from previous years, this email is just to briefly explain the reason for these changes.  In response to feedback from the recent Interest Group audit the form has been adapted to include a breakdown of grants and donations as well as the opportunity to further clarify the ‘other’ category of expenses.  If there are any questions about the new form please feel free to contact the Networks Team (networks@rsc.org) or the Finance Team (finance@rsc.org).
 
This year we aim to do our best to pay the annual grants to Local Sections and Interest Groups as early as we possibly can. In the past we have waited until the main RSC audit is complete to make the payments and this means that payments could not be made until late March. This year our colleagues in the Finance Team have agreed to make the payments as soon as they can for all member groups who submit their accounts by the deadline of 14^th February. Grants for groups who submit their accounts after the 14^th February will not be paid until after the RSC audit. Please be aware that this is the busiest time of year for the Finance Team so although they will try to process your payments as quickly as possible payment will not be immediate.
 
 
Volunteer Resource Area
 
We have updated the Volunteer Resource Area on MyRSC, accessed via the knowledge centre, to include these resources:

• Procedure for Risk Management of Events
• Directory of Volunteer Presenters
• Younger Members Request for Support
• Student Chemical Societies Funding Request
• RSC Brand Guidelines

The Volunteer Resource Area provides access to a variety of resources available to our members to help when planning and running events on behalf of the RSC.

 
2013 Regional Meetings
 
The dates for this year’s Regional Meetings have been announced and the schedule of meetings for 2013 is:
 
10 January      South East
17 January      Eastern
31 January      North East
7 February      Midlands
14 February    North West
21 February    Scottish
28 February    Irish
7 March           Welsh
14 March        South West
 
More information on the Regional Meetings, including their purpose, structure and reports from previous years, can be found at http://www.rsc.org/Membership/Networking/Regions/Meetings/index.asp
  
 
Networks deadlines
RSC Groups financial reports - February 14^th
RSC Groups annual reports - February 20^th
 
Networks Blog
Keep up to date with the Networks Blog to find out what our members are doing. Take a look at the latest posts about the Deccan and Kent local sections’ 2012 events and stay tuned for all the 2013 activities at my.rsc.org/blogs/80.
 
If you have any events that you would like to see on the blog, send the information and pictures to networks@rsc.org.
 
Record of Attendance certificates
If you wish to supply certificates of attendance for your events, the template can be found on our website at http://www.rsc.org/Membership/Networking/InterestGroups/FormsDocuments.asp
 
 
Voice of the Future 2013
 
On behalf of the science and engineering community, the Society of Biology is organising Voice of the Future 2013. This is a unique opportunity for young scientists and engineers, including A-level students, to participate in a Science Question Time with Members of the House of Commons Select Committee on Science & Technology.
Voice of the Future 2013 will be taking place during National Science and Engineering week on Wednesday 20^th March 2013 in the House of Commons.

On the day, the normal select committee format will be reversed. In the surroundings of a committee room in Parliament, young scientists and engineers will sit in the seats normally reserved for MPs. The MPs will appear before the ‘committee’ as ‘witnesses’ to answer Questions from the scientists.
The event will also feature, subject to Parliamentary business, the Minister for Universities and Science, Rt. Hon. David Willetts MP, and the Shadow Minister for Innovation and Science, Chi Onwurah MP, who will also be questioned.

The Royal Society of Chemistry would like 6 representatives to attend the event at the Houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday 20th March 2013. To choose these representatives we would like you, our members, to submit questions. If your question is selected then you will be invited to attend the event and may have the opportunity to put your question to the MPs.

Eligibility: The event is about ‘Young Scientists and Engineers’, to be eligible to be a representative for the Royal Society of Chemistry you must be:

1.    A member of the Royal Society of Chemistry at any level
2.    Aged between 16-35 years old

If you are not a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry or over 35 years old you can still submit questions which may be put forward to the MPs or you can tweet your question live to the event by using the hashtag #VOF2013.

How do I ask a question?
You need to email your question to the following email address with the following details by the 31st January deadline. Ensure you use the correct Subject line for the email: VOF2013 Question. Also include your name, date of birth, contacts details and occupation. If your question is specifically directed towards either: Rt. Hon. David Willetts MP, the House of Commons Select Committee; or Chi Onwurah MP then please state this in your email.

• Email: networks@rsc.org
• Subject of email: VOF2013 Question
• Your Question
• Your full name
• RSC membership number
• Email address
• Phone number
• Your occupation (e.g. PhD Student at University of Southampton)

 
RSC EVENTS 2013
 

RSC Bill Bryson Prize 2013
 
Do you know a child with a knack for science communication? Encourage them to enter the RSC Bill Bryson Prize, an engaging and popular competition designed to recognise clear science communication in schools and colleges. The competition is open to students aged 5-18 with entries accepted in any format - recent entries have included videos, podcasts, posters, even cartoons and poems.
 
The 2013 competition theme is How does science keeps us healthy?  Entry opens later this month, deadline 31st March 2013. Find out more at rsc.li/bryson-prize.
 
You can watch Bill Bryson himself introducing the prize here http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zUGqIeAHdow
 
 
Festivals of Chemistry and Chemistry Camps
 
The Salters’ Institute, in partnership with the RSC, will be holding the Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry 2013 between March and July 2013.  These one day events for years 7 or 8 (or equivalent in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) are held at local universities across the UK and Ireland.  Activities include two practical chemical challenges and a fun lecture with fun prizes and certificates for all.  To enter online please visit http://www.saltersinstitute.co.uk/festivals (please note that entries for the 2013 Salters’ Festivals of Chemistry can only be made online). 
 
The Salters’ Institute will also be holding 14 Salters’ Chemistry Camps between June and July 2013.  The Camps are residential events run at Universities throughout the UK for year 10 students (or equivalent in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland).  Activities include practical chemistry in the labs, fun lectures, and time to socialise or relax.  For further information and to download an application form please visit their website http://www.saltersinstitute.co.uk/camps. 

 



Major deadlines coming up – check out the individual websites for more details and all the key dates.

EVENT	DEADLINE
Spinks Symposium: Regenerative Medicine 28 January 2013 The Chemistry Centre, London, UK	Registration deadline: 18 January 2013
Fabrication, Structure and Reactivity of Anchored Nanoparticles: Faraday Discussion 162 10-12 April 2013 Seminaris CampusHotel, Berlin, Germany	Abstract and early bird registration deadline: 15 February 2013
Photo-inititated Quantum Molecular Dynamics: Faraday Discussion 163 15-17 April 2013 University of Nottingham, UK	Abstract and early bird registration deadline: 18 February 2013
Challenges in Organic Materials & Supramolecular Chemistry (ISACS10) 18-21 June 2013 Kyoto, Japan	Oral abstract  submission deadline: 15 February 2013
Analytical Research Forum 2013 (ARF13) 8-10 July 2013 GlaxoSmithKline & the University of Hertfordshire, UK	Oral abstract  submission deadline: 15 February 2013
Advancing the Chemistry of the Actinides: Dalton Discussion 14 16-18 September 2013 University of Edinburgh, UK	Oral abstract submission deadline: 15 February 2013