Member Networks Newsletter March 2023
Dear Colleague,
Welcome to the February Networks Newsletter, our way to provide key dates for RSC activities, services and new initiatives to our member network committee members and representatives.This month’s Newsletter contains:
- Upcoming Deadline
- Upcoming Events
- Spotlight: Hybrid Events Drop-In (video)
- Diversity and Inclusivity resources for committees
- Communications from across the RSC
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Spotlight: Hybrid Events Drop-In (video) |
In this month’s Spotlight we summarise the discussions and best practices from January’s drop-in session.On 19 January we held a Hybrid Events Drop-in session to share experience and best practice for hybrid meeting planning between our members. The session started with talks from our panellists:
- Dr Ben Lichman (Chemical Biology and Bioorganic Group)
- Dr Julia Sarju (National Association of Disabled Staff Networks STEMM Action Group)
- Mr Oliver Thomas (Peninsula Local Section)
- Dr Miguel Jorge (Porous Materials interest Group)
Watch the panellists’ talksThis was followed by a discussion session amongst attendees sharing best practice and advice for organising virtual, hybrid and in-person events. The biggest take-home message was that each of these formats have their strengths and weaknesses and to carefully consider the aims and audience for your event before deciding on a format.A summary of the discussion will be uploaded to the Useful Forms and Documents page in the coming week.If you have any questions about hybrid events or want to share some best practice you’ve experienced please contact us at networks@rsc.org.
Learn how to make your activities more inclusive and accessible for your members with our inclusivity quick guides. Whether you chair a committee, create communications, or organise events, our quick guides support you to help us make chemistry welcoming to everyone.
Communications from across the RSC |
Here are updates about events and activities from our Chemist Community Fund, Publishing, Industry, Careers, Outreach and Policy teams. Please pass on to your networks where relevant.Boost student career prospects with our Broadening Horizons in the Chemical Sciences programmeOur Broadening Horizons programme provides students and graduates from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds with the chance to explore career opportunities in the chemical sciences, receive valuable mentorship and industry experience with the help of leading industry partners. Help us build on the success of the first cohort by encouraging your eligible students and graduates to apply before 30 March 2023.Find out moreAccess funding to improve LGBT+ inclusion in STEMWe have joined up with Science and Innovation Network (SIN) to address LGBT+ underrepresentation in STEM, with over £600,000 in funding from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Our new grant project will offer 5–7 grants to pilot research studies, to actively study why LGBT+ groups are underrepresented in STEM – and how we can improve retention.Please apply by 5pm (UK time) 14 April 2023.Find out more and applyChemCareers 2023: From laboratory to entrepreneur - building a company from your researchOn 15 March 12.30pm (UK time), entrepreneurs and the Royal Society of Chemistry entrepreneurship manager will be discussing their career paths and the topic of building a company based from your research. There will be a chance to ask questions and the webinar will cover:
- what entrepreneurship is
- the skills and attributes required
- routes into setting up a company
- sources of support and guidance
Find out more and registerGrant Holder Perspectives: Tales from the Outreach Fund, 27 AprilAre you interested in applying to the RSC Outreach Fund, but not sure if it’s for you? Would you like to learn more directly from some of our grant holders?Three of our grant holders are hosting this month’s online public engagement workshop (from 11am-1pm UK time on 27 April) from our series: Diverse Engagement for Diverse Publics. Come along with your questions or just to listen to our grant holders’ experiences of the Outreach Fund.As a reminder the Outreach Fund is open with deadlines throughout the year to support chemistry engagement activities for both schools and public audiences. If you have any questions get in touch with Geri Kitley via outreach@rsc.org. Register for the workshop.RSC participates in UN working groupThe United Nations hosted an Open-Ended Working Group meeting in Bangkok, Thailand from 29 Jan – 3 Feb on the establishment of a Science Policy Panel (SPP) on Chemicals, Waste and the Prevention of Pollution. The RSC is participating independently in this process as an accredited UNEP organisation and is a member of the ‘Scientific and Technology Community.’The meeting aim was for governments to discuss the ‘Scope’ and ‘Function’ of the future new science policy panel (SPP) for chemicals, waste and the prevention of pollution, and how the work to establish the panel would be organised over the next 2 years. 130 member nation states were in attendance and discussed these two areas of Scope and Function over 5 long days of negotiation; the outputs were achieved as draft texts which will be discussed back at member state level in the intersessional period, to be agreed at the next OEWG 2 meeting later in Q4 2023. Read a recent Chemistry world article on the SPPPhotos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz
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 feedbackKind regards,
The Networks Team
Fiona, Debbie, Claire and Barney