Networks Newsletter - April 2021
Dear colleague,Welcome to the April Networks Newsletter, our way to keep our member network committee members and representatives up to date with RSC activities, services and new initiatives.
This month’s Newsletter contains:
- Upcoming Deadlines
- Upcoming Events
- Spotlight: The RSC’s work on Chemicals Policy
- Communications from across the RSC
- Latest updates on our policy work
01 April 06 April 06 April 08 April 19 April 26 April
28 April
30 April 04 May 17 May |
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01 April 08 April 13 April 14 April 15 April 21 April 23 April
23 April 29 April 06 May |
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Spotlight: The RSC’s work on Chemicals Policy |
Now that the UK has left the European Union, as of 1 January 2021 the UK government is responsible for all matters relating to chemicals management in industrial processes, the products we consume and the chemicals present in the environment. Read about our ongoing work on chemicals policy on the Networks Newsletter blog, and contact the Policy & Evidence Team with any comments or questions.Read about our recent policy activities on the Newsletter blog
Communications from across the RSC |
Here are updates about events and activities from our Outreach, Careers, Events, International, and Research & Innovation teams, as well as the Chemists’ Community Fund and RSC Publishing.Bullying and harassment support serviceThe Royal Society of Chemistry is committed to tackling and removing bullying and harassing behaviours from the community. All our members commit to our Code of Conduct which outlines the need to respect others and protect the dignity and welfare of the community. We treat any breaches seriously and others can contact us at any time ipdp@rsc.org.Our bullying and harassment support service is available to provide impartial support for anyone affected or concerned by bullying and harassing behaviour in the UK chemical sciences and our members worldwide. This service, managed by the Inclusion and Diversity team and supported by the Chemists’ Community Fund, is being provided by a third party on behalf of the Royal Society of Chemistry. The support service is accompanied by the associated web pages and a bespoke video animation.The RSC’s support line can be reached on 0800 5200115 (UK Freephone), +44 1223 624606 (International), from 8am–8pm (UK time) Monday–Friday.Visit rsc.li/support for further advice or to email the teamNext round of Research Enablement Grants opens on 12 AprilOur Research Enablement Grant provides up to £10,000 for new projects and to continue those disrupted by COVID-19, and can include funding for consumables, equipment and a salary contribution for a group member.The Grant is open for applications from Monday 12 April to Tuesday 25 May.Find out more and apply online by 25 MayHelp make the chemical sciences more inclusiveOur Inclusion & Diversity Fund welcomes applications from individuals and organisations, including members and non-members. In the past we’ve funded projects focusing on gender, disability, socio-economic background, language, race and ethnicity, the LGBT+ community and more.
You could get up to £5,000 towards making your inclusion and diversity project a reality.
Applications to the general call for projects are always open and are assessed twice a year. Apply by 19 April for your project to be considered for funding in the upcoming round.
Please note, the Inclusion & Diversity Fund is intended for projects that directly investigate or address inclusion and diversity issues in the chemical sciences. The Inclusion & Diversity Fund is not intended to fund chemistry research.Learn more and apply on our websiteApplications open for the Emerging Technologies CompetitionWe have launched our 2021 Emerging Technologies Competition, an annual initiative for tech innovators, spin outs and start-ups from across the UK and Europe who are developing chemistry-driven technologies that are tackling the world’s most pressing issues.
Entering the competition provides the opportunity to pitch your technology to a panel of expert judges including: AstraZeneca, Boots, Croda, Eli Lilly, Givaudan, Marks & Spencer, PepsiCo, PETRONAS, Reckitt Benckiser, RSSL, Scott Bader and Unilever – giving you valuable exposure, publicity and validation. Winners receive a share of the £160,000 prize fund and a RSC mentor for one year.
There is just over two weeks to submit an application or spread the word to colleagues and peers – don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!Find out more and apply online by 18 AprilSave the date: Mental Health Awareness Week 10-16 MayMental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is coming up on the week of 10-16 May.
The theme for MHAW is nature and the RSC Inclusion and Diversity team will organise a webinar to discuss the connection between nature and mental health, in collaboration with Chemistry World as part of the Building a better chemistry culture webinar series.
Look out for more information on this and other MHAW activities in future communications including this newsletter! Standing up for ScienceThe RSC is partnering with the Voice of Young Science programme 2021 to offer Standing Up For Science workshops to the early career community, to help make early career voices heard in public debates about science. There are four of these free workshops taking place in 2021 and you can keep up to date with these opportunities here or by signing up to the Voice of Young Science network.
The second of the these workshops is now open to applications and takes place online on Thursday 13 May. This session will feature contributions from Professor Dr Hannah Cloke (Professor of Hydrology, University of Reading), Dr Jo Hale (Research Fellow, UCL), George Freeman MP and James Clarke (Head of Communications, Rothamsted Research).
Please share this opportunity with your early career networks or colleagues, or apply using the link below.Complete the application form by 5pm on Monday 19 AprilLatest issue of Analytical Matters now available onlineFind out about the latest Analytical Division activities including:
- Opportunities to get involved with this year’s online Analytical Research Forum
- Celebrating the100th Analytical Methods Committee Technical Brief
- Funding opportunities including new Researcher Development Grants
- CPD Resources
If you have any items you wish to be included in the next newsletter please email analyticalmatters@rsc.org by 31 May 2021. Read the newsletter here
Latest updates on our policy work |
With a programme of activities spanning research funding, mobility of scientists, open access, chemicals regulation, teacher supply, curriculum and much more, our goal is to shape the development of policy relevant to the chemical sciences.Virtual Science Hustings events in Scotland and WalesAhead of the upcoming elections in Scotland and Wales we have been working with a range of partners to deliver virtual science hustings events.
The events take place on 8 April (Wales) and 13 April (Scotland) and will bring together candidates from across the political parties. They will give the scientific community the opportunity to quiz the political parties on what steps they will take to put science at the forefront of their work in the next term.
Covering the topics that matter most to the scientific community event attendees will be able to put their questions directly to the party spokespeople.
Members are encouraged to sign up to these events and ask questions. For more information contact Niall Sommerville, our Public Affairs Manager for the devolved nations.Register for the 2021 Senedd Elections Science Hustings on 8 AprilRegister for the 2021 Holyrood Elections Science Hustings on 13 AprilPolicy discussion: Should we design biodegradable plastics?Friday 23 April, 12 midday–12.45Join us in the first of a series of free events throughout 2021 developed by our Science Policy Unit to explore current issues around plastic production, use, reuse and disposal.During this webinar we want to find out how chemists design plastics for biodegradability, and discuss the opportunities and challenges that these new materials present on our journey to a more sustainable future. BSL interpretation will be provided by Rachael Dance from Cambridgeshire Deaf Association.Register here and join the conversation
This Newsletter has been tailored to you, but the full version can be found on the Networks Newsletter blog. Please read the online version and get in touch with suggestions for what you would like included or feedback about what we've sent you!Send us your feedbackStay safe,The Networks Team
Fiona, Aurora and Debbie