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RSC 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. 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 February, 2023
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
 
Upcoming Deadlines
 
06 March
07 March
09 March
27 March
28 March
30 March
31 March
31 March
01 April
14 April
17 April
17 April
March deadline for Outreach Fund applications
Deadline for e-alerts going out to additional Networks on 16 March
Analytical Research Forum Oral abstract deadline
Analytical Research Forum Poster abstract deadline
Deadline for e-alerts going out on 6 April to additional Networks
Deadline for Broadening Horizons programme applications
Deadline for Chemical Sciences in Sustainability essay competition
Deadline for Researcher Development Grant applications
Deadline for Local Section and Interest Group Top-Up Fund applications 
Deadline for LGBT+ Inclusion in STEM grant applications
Deadline for Emerging Technologies Competition entries
Analytical Research Forum early bird registration deadline
 
Upcoming Events
 
09 March
15 March
05 April
26 April
27 April
08 June		 Managing career setbacks and redefining success in your career webinar
From laboratory to entrepreneur - building a company from your research
Mentoring training 9.00am – 11.00am (UK time)
What is burnout, what to do about it and how to avoid it webinar
Grant Holder Perspectives: Tales from the Outreach Fund webinar
Analytical Research Forum
 
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’ talks
This 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.
 
Diversity and Inclusivity resources for committees

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 programme

Our 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 more

Access funding to improve LGBT+ inclusion in STEM

We 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 apply



ChemCareers 2023: From laboratory to entrepreneur - building a company from your research

On 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 register



Grant Holder Perspectives: Tales from the Outreach Fund, 27 April
Are 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 group





The 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 SPP

Photos by IISD/ENB | Natalia Mroz

 
Thank you for reading!

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 feedback

Kind regards,

The Networks Team
Fiona, Debbie, Claire and Barney
Posted by Barnaby Slater on Mar 1, 2023 1:52 PM GMT
Member Networks Newsletter February 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 Deadlines
 
03 February
07 February
08 February
12 February
20 February
21 February
28 February
28 February
28 February
06 March
07 March
31 March
17 April
 
Deadline for UK-based networks’ financial reports
Deadline for e-alerts going out on 16 February to additional Networks
Poster abstract deadline for Applied Catalysis in the Circular Economy
Deadline for Applied Catalysis in the Circular Economy registration
Deadline for Undergraduate Research Bursary applications
Deadline for e-alerts going out to additional Networks on 2 March
Deadline for Polymer Chemistry Lectureship nominations
Deadline for Soft Matter Lectureship nominations
Deadline for Researcher Development Grant applications
March deadline for Outreach Fund applications
Deadline for e-alerts going out to additional Networks on 16 March
Deadline for Chemical Sciences in Sustainability essay competition
Deadline for Emerging Technologies Competition entries

Upcoming Events
 
01 February
08 February
16 February
23 February
28 February
07 March
30 March		 RSC’s science culture vision for the chemical sciences focus group
Navigating imposter syndrome and its impact on confidence in careers webinar
RSC’s science culture vision for the chemical sciences focus group
From Goodwill to equitable and inclusive practice online workshop
RSC Mentoring training
Managing career setbacks and redefining success in your career webinar
Chemists in the Museum: Novel Spaces for public engagement workshop

Spotlight: Don’t forget to renew your RSC membership
In this month’s spotlight we want to remind you to renew your RSC membership as a requirement for volunteering with us.
With the new year ticking over it is membership renewal time! Regardless of when in the year you signed up to membership with the RSC, you will need to renew your payment from the end of the calendar year (31 December). This is crucial for you all as volunteers one qualifier is for you to be an active member. This will also affect your ability to run for future committee positions this year.
You can check and renew your membership by visiting the members’ portal and clicking the box titled “Renew Your Membership” and following the instructions.
Should you have any other questions about member renewal, feel free to get in touch at membership@rsc.org.

 
Video: Local  Section Day

Thank you to those who could attend Local Section Day both virtually and at Burlington House on 16 November. Interesting discussions were had around events planning post-pandemic and engaging network members.

We recorded the talks from our staff, which is available to you via the links below, starting with Jo Reynolds, (Director, Science & Communities) talking about our overall RSC strategy:

Watch Jo Reynold’s talk on RSC strategy
We also had Amanda Bailey (Manager, Education Strategic Programmes) talk about the RSC Education strategy:
Watch Amanda Bailey’s Talk on Education
Finally we had Anna Dearden (Manager, Chemists' Community Fund) talking about progress and next steps for the CCF
Watch Anna Dearden’s talk on CCF
Video: Interest  Group Forum
Thank you to those who could attend our virtual Interest Group Forum on 8 December. We mainly focussed on the changes to how you can communicate with your members in 2023, and answered your questions.

The meeting was recorded and can be viewed through the link below.

Watch the Video
RSC Prize Lecture Tours

As part of their prize, many RSC prize-winners deliver lectures across the UK and Ireland, providing an opportunity for winners to share their outstanding work, and in turn, for members of the community to hear about and discuss that work, meet with winners and develop new connections
At the end of 2022 we have launched a new web page that lists upcoming dates and venues for our prize lectures with the aim to increase accessibility and transparency.
Please feel free to use this page to find lecture tours near you and to advertise to your networks, the page will be constantly updated as the prize team organises more lectures.
See Prize Lecture Tours
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.


Confidential addiction support now available

If you have concerns about a family member, colleague, or yourself relating to dependencies and addiction a confidential addiction support service is now available through your RSC membership.

We’ve partnered with leading specialist service provider, Rightsteps, to provide this confidential addiction service with online resources covering a wide range of dependencies, counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy sessions.

Find out more

Essay competition on the role of the chemical sciences in sustainability

The International Organization for Chemical Sciences in Development (IOCD), in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), is launching an annual essay competition on the role of the chemical sciences in sustainability, open globally to entrants under 35 years of age.
The theme for 2023 is “How can the chemical sciences lead the stewardship of the Earth's element resources?” Winning entries will be published in RSC Sustainability.
Essays must be submitted in English as a Word document, by 12am (UK time) on 31 March 2023 to essay@iocd.org accompanied by a completed Entry Form, which is available on IOCD's website.
Find out more


Journal of Materials Chemistry A, B and C celebrate their 10th anniversary

2023 marks the beginning of the tenth anniversary year of Journal of Materials Chemistry A, B and C as three separate titles. Get in touch with the editorial office if you have any ideas of how you can help us celebrate!
Get in touch with the editorial office


Emerging Technologies Competition 2023

The 2023 Emerging Technologies Competition is seeking agile innovators, start-ups and spin-outs across Enabling Technologies, Health, Energy and Environment categories who are ready to catapult their novel ideas to the next level and win £25,000 and post-event publicity and exposure. 

Applications will open on 20 February and close 17 April 2023.

Find out more and apply


Sustainable composites report launches in February

In February we are launching a report on sustainable Fibre Reinforced Composites, a £4bn market in the UK, for applications in automotive, aerospace, wind energy, hydrogen, defence, marine, construction and infrastructure, rail and oil and gas. In collaboration with the Sustainable Composites (a partnership between the National Composites Centre and CPI), we consulted with key academic and industry experts to provide an overview of the key challenges facing the sector in their production and manufacture, use and end-of-life and the opportunities for chemistry to move towards a sustainable future. This report raises awareness of the opportunities for chemistry research, innovation and collaboration in the UK, with key insights that are relevant to the global chemistry community.  
Keep an eye out on the RSC website for the report launch.



Mentoring training 28 February, 11.00am – 1.00pm (UK time)

Mentors find the experience of helping another member rewarding as they help them to grow and 'address their own challenges, considering their relationships at work and thinking of the future.’

Members (MRSC) and Fellows (FRSC) are eligible to sign up to become a mentor on our mentoring scheme. There is a mentoring training session scheduled 28 February.

Find out more



Chemists in the Museum: Novel Spaces for Public Engagement
Would you or your committee like to learn about public engagement with science in museums? Are your committee interested in novel and inclusive forms of science communication?
Join Nuzhat Tabassum from the Natural History Museum and Science London for an in-person workshop at Burlington House, London on science communication and public engagement in museum spaces from 11am-1pm (UK time) on 30 March.
Find out more and register

RSC attending meeting on UN Panel on Chemicals, Waste, and Prevention of Pollution

The RSC is attending the first in person meeting of the Open Ended Working Group for the establishment of a UN panel on chemicals, waste, and the prevention of pollution. Taking place in Bangkok, Thailand, this meeting will bring together member nations and UNEP-accredited stakeholders to discuss the scope and function of the new panel. The RSC is also participating in the Technical Advisory Group to provide specialist scientific expertise.

Read more on the RSC work with the UN panel process

 
Thank you for reading!

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 feedback

Kind regards,

The Networks Team
Fiona, Debbie, Claire and Barney
Posted by Barnaby Slater on Feb 6, 2023 4:16 PM GMT