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. If you require further information about any of the items in the newsletter, or have any comments or ideas for content please contact the Networks team.

Committee members and representatives are encouraged to disseminate this information, as appropriate, to colleagues and other members. E-alert request forms can be downloaded from the Useful Forms and Documents page. Up to date lists of members can be obtained by emailing the Networks Team.
 

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Archive for July, 2021
This month in the Spotlight Rachel Thompson, our Programme Manager for Commonwealth Chemistry and a part of the Commonwealth Chemistry Secretariat, introduces Commonwealth Chemistry and tells us about some of the Federation’s recent achievements.

Contact Rachel if you have any questions about Commonwealth Chemistry activities or projects.


What is Commonwealth Chemistry?
Commonwealth Chemistry is a unique collective of over 40 Commonwealth countries that brings together individuals, communities, chemical societies and other organisations working in the chemical sciences to develop networks, promote collaboration and address shared challenges set out in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Royal Society of Chemistry is one of 23 member chemical societies and provides funding and the secretariat.

Commonwealth Chemistry holds its first AGM, Congress and launches its website
  • Commonwealth Chemistry recently hosted its first Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually, which brought together 56 representatives from across the Commonwealth. Highlights of this included the appointment of the first President, Dr Vicki Gardiner, an introduction to the Federation and to all the member societies, a review of current and future plans and a lively Q&A session.
  • Immediately following the AGM chemists from across the Commonwealth came together for the 1st Commonwealth Chemistry Congress. More than 400 chemists from 38 Commonwealth countries joined this three day virtual event. The opening session, a panel discussion on ‘Chemistry and the Commonwealth’ explored the Congress theme of ‘Partnership for the Goals’. Six scientific sessions, with 24 plenary and 80 flash talks, focused on chemistry’s contribution to the UN SDGs showcasing a wealth of scientific excellence from across the Commonwealth. The final session brought leading figures together to share their career experiences with the early career chemists in an interactive panel discussion. All sessions ran twice at different times with different panellists and speakers to ensure inclusivity and that all Commonwealth countries could join live.
  • Commonwealth Chemistry has also recently launched its own website with information about the Federation and for its member societies and the wider Commonwealth chemistry community

What’s next for Commonwealth Chemistry?
  • Coming up in September will be the 2nd online Commonwealth Chemistry Posters event bringing together early career chemists to share their research, discuss their ideas and make new connections and networks
  • Then later in the year a webinar on ‘Taking Chemistry to Market’ will bring together leading experts in this important topic to share their experience in an interactive forum.
  • More details of all future Commonwealth Chemistry activities will be found on the website.
Posted by Aurora Walshe on Jul 1, 2021 2:00 PM BST
Dear colleague,

Welcome to the July 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: Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies
  • Communications from across the RSC
 
Upcoming Deadlines
 
01 July
05 July
06 July
08 July
15 July
25 July
27 July
29 July
31 July
01 August
02 August
02 August
Deadline for Local Section and Interest Group Top-Up Fund applications
July deadline for Outreach Fund small grants
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 15 July to additional networks
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 15 July
Close of 2021 Pay and Reward Survey
Deadline for Technician Skills Development Grant applications
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 5 August to additional networks
Deadline for E-alerts going out on 5 August
Deadline for July Research Development Grant applications
Deadline for Local Section inserts into September Chemistry World
August deadline for Outreach Fund small and large grants
Close of special funding call to improve accessibility and disabled inclusion
 
Upcoming Events
 
01 July
07 July
15 July
05 August
19 August
25 August
Member e-alerts
Redundancy Support Workshop from the CCF, 17:00 UK time
Member e-alerts
Member e-alerts

Member e-alerts
Retirement in Sight Workshop from the CCF, 17:00 UK time
 
Spotlight: Commonwealth Chemistry

What is the Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies?

Rachel Thompson, our Programme Manager for Commonwealth Chemistry and a part of the Commonwealth Chemistry Secretariat, introduces Commonwealth Chemistry and tells us about some of the Federation’s recent achievements.

Read the full article on the Networks Newsletter blog, and contact Rachel if you have any questions or suggestions about Commonwealth Chemistry activities or projects.

Read Rachel's update about Commonwealth Chemistry

 
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.


Announcement for member network activities outside the UK
To ensure that your activities are covered by RSC insurance, all of our member networks, regardless of location, must now adhere to rules 7.4 and 7.5 in the rules for our member networks:
 
7.4
All contracts and/or documents which will commit the RSC to any liability must be submitted for legal review by the RSC’s Legal Services Team prior to signature. Contracts should be submitted to networks@rsc.org with a completed contract approval form.

Following the legal review process, all contracts must be signed by an appropriate RSC staff member with authority to bind the RSC.
7.5
Any activity with an overall budget greater than £15,000 requires the pre-approval of the Member Communities Board. All member networks need to fill in a pro-forma and submit it to staff (networks@rsc.org) at least three months before the event.

Any contract for goods and/or services valued at greater than £10,000 must be approved ‘in principle’ by the Member Communities Board, subject to the contract approval process and submission of a copy of the (unsigned) contract to the board by the committee.

This includes any bids or verbal commitments including peripatetic conferences.

In particular, please note that all contracts or documents with terms and conditions must be approved in advance by our Legal Team and signed by a member of RSC staff. We have the ability to outsource the checking of such documents to specialists who will understand the legal systems and languages in your countries so don't worry about getting anything translated.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Download the member network rules, notes, and glossary of terms


Updated anti-bribery training available for volunteers
As a UK organisation, the UK 2010 Bribery Act applies to all RSC volunteers and activities around the world. To learn how this affects you, you can:
Find the training options on the Useful Forms & Documents page


Updated FAQ document for virtual member network events
We have updated the online event FAQ document with information about the three online platforms available to member networks for hosting online events. This includes a table to help you choose the best platform for your event, and information about features such as breakout rooms, automatic reminder emails, and live close captioning.

The guide is not designed to provide technical support for meetings, instead please consult the Zoom, GoToWebinar, or GoToMeeting support pages in the first instance.

Download the updated FAQ from the Useful Forms & Documents page


Online cloud recordings for member network events
Due to the high volume of member network events on Zoom, we are unable to store all cloud recordings of events indefinitely. As such we have deleted all test session recordings and will delete committee meeting recordings after one month (unless we receive a specific request from the committee). If your committee records meetings to facilitate minute taking, it is possible to download the transcript as a separate file.

Find booking forms, guides and more on the Useful Forms & Documents page


Tailored events for your members from RSC Publishing
Are you planning an early career workshop? Or a panel discussion about the directions of your field?

Our colleagues in Publishing can offer tailored talks to your members on topics such as an introduction to open access publishing, how to write and publish your first paper, how to review an article, guidance on publishing careers, and more.


Contact Garima Sharma (Deputy Editor, RSC Advances) to arrange your event


Complete the Pay and Reward Survey by 15 July
Help us build a picture of working in the chemical sciences

We are looking to create a strong dataset that can support the community and help understand the challenges faced in the workplace today, and in the immediate future. The data will also:
  • further our inclusion and diversity work
  • advocate for chemical scientists in the UK and around the world
  • help members plan and develop their careers.
We cannot do this important work without your input. By providing your income data, whether you are working or retired, you are helping your community. Take part via the link we have emailed you, or use our generic link: warpsurveys.com/payandreward2021

Read about what chemists earn on our website


Apply for funding to improve accessibility for disabled chemists
The Royal Society of Chemistry is committed to tackling the barriers that disabled people face within the chemical sciences.

As part of our efforts, through our Inclusion & Diversity Fund, we’re looking to financially support community-driven projects that seek to combat the underrepresentation of disabled chemists. The Fund is currently accepting applications up to the value of £5,000, with larger applications occasionally considered.


Find out more and apply by 2 August


Professional registration and development for apprentices
The competencies for Registered Science Technician and Registered Scientist are being updated to better describe the skills and behaviours demonstrated in the role of a professional scientist, and receiving one of these awards gives recognition of a high standard of work and allows the use of postnominals RSciTech or RSci.

Gaining professional registration status is invaluable for apprentices starting out in a career within the chemical sciences, and since membership of a professional body is required to become professionally registered, we offer 50% off the annual membership rate for people earning less than £28,000 a year for all of our membership categories.

Learn about the benefits, watch our webinars, and apply on our website


Sensors & Diagnostics – opening for submissions mid-August
Led by Editors-in-Chief Sabine Szunerits and Xueji Zhang, Sensors & Diagnostics will be the Royal Society of Chemistry’s gold open access journal for high impact sensors research.

Sensors and screening is a key frontier technique identified in our 2019 Science Horizons report – over 40% of the researchers we surveyed highlighted it as important for the advancement of their own work.

Sensors & Diagnostics will have a broad scope that focuses on high impact, innovative sensing work. We will welcome interdisciplinary research from across the analytical, chemical biology, materials, and nano sectors.


Find out more and sign up for news: rsc.li/sensors


Latest issue of Analytical Matters available online
Find out about the latest Analytical Division activities including:
  • CPD Resources, including the latest AMC Technical Briefs
  • Funding opportunities
  • Analytical Division Council Member profiles

If you have any items you wish to be included in the next issue of Analytical Matters, please email analyticalmatters@rsc.org by 31 August 2021.

Read the latest newsletter here


Rescheduled 2021 dates for GSK/RSC Training courses
We are now underway with the rescheduled Royal Society of Chemistry and GSK Hands-On LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry) and GC-MS (Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry) training courses for 2021.

Priority will be given to those who were accepted to attend the cancelled 2020 courses, but places do remain on several courses later in the year. Please see the timetable below for forthcoming courses.

 
Course Type
LCMS
GCMS
LCMS
GCMS
GCMS
LCMS (Extra)
Location
Kenya
Ghana
Kenya
Ethiopia
Nigeria
Ghana
2021 Dates
5–9 July 2021
6–10 Sept 2021
9–13 Aug 2021
30 Aug – 3 Sept 2021 [provisional date]
15–20 Nov 2021
Late Oct/Early Nov 2021 [provisional date]

Contact Ellie Peters at Africa@rsc.org with any queries


IUPAC | CCCE 2021 early-bird registration closes on July 12, 2021
The first ever virtual IUPAC General Assembly and World Chemistry Congress, held in conjunction with the Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition (IUPAC | CCCE 2021) is taking place on 13-20 August 2021. This virtual event will feature plenary talks from leading chemists around the world, live Q&A sessions with speakers, hours of on-demand technical talks, live poster sessions, networking and social events, and a featured RSC-sponsored panel discussion ‘Sustainability for Chemistry’ exploring inclusion and diversity.

The RSC is a proud Iridium Sponsor of IUPAC | CCCE 2021 and we hope to see you at this exciting event. Register by the early-bird registration deadline of 12 July 2021 to save. RSC members are also eligible for a registration discount. Contact CCCE@cheminst.ca with your name, institution, and RSC membership number to receive the RSC registration discount code.


Find out more and register online


 
Thank you for reading!

The Networks Newsletter goes out on the first of each month as a tailored communication to all of our volunteers. All of the updates are published here each month, if you see any content here that is relevant to you but you didn’t receive, please let us know!

Send us your feedback

Kind regards,

The Networks Team
Fiona, Aurora and Debbie

 
Posted by Aurora Walshe on Jul 1, 2021 2:00 PM BST