RSCNEWS APRIL 2016 www.rsc.org

Going global, Mission: Starlight has lift-off

The apprentice p10 Connecting students, graduates and SMEs p12 More than 20 MPs took part in a series of science experiments in Parliament to mark our 175th anniversary. Pictured clockwise from top left are MPs: Alison Thewliss, John Pugh, Chi Onwurah, Mark Durkan, Stephen Metcalfe, Kirsty Blackman and Michael Tomlinson. See the Snapshot on p4 and 5 for more details on this story and our other engagements at Westminster. WEBSITE Find all the latest news at www.rsc.org/news/

Contents APRIL 2016

Editor: Edwin Silvester Design and production: REGULARS Vivienne Brar 6 Contact us: 4 Snapshot RSC News editorial office News and updates from around Thomas Graham House Science Park, Milton Road the organisation Cambridge, CB4 0WF, UK Tel: +44 (0)1223 432294 15 Opinion Email: [email protected] Frank Gibson talks technological challenges , Piccadilly and how we’re facing them W1J 0BA, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7437 8656 16 One to one Your membership and your career in @RSC_Newsroom industry 8 facebook.com/RoyalSocietyofChemistry

Photography: FEATURES Cover image courtesy of Brenda and Chris Throne 6 Global experiment Opposite page: © Royal Society of Chemistry / MPP Image Creation We have lift off! 8 Your vote counts Your professional body, your voice, your chance to shape our future 10 Apprenticeships 10 Did you know almost half a million people began an apprenticeship in 2014 / 15? 12 Connecting the dots Linking students, graduates and SMEs

DIARY

17 Conferences Upcoming meetings and deadlines 12 18 Events Your guide to events by region and section 22 Notices © Royal Society of Chemistry 2016 Registered charity number 207890 A wedding, a very important date for your diary and news from around our community Snapshot A look at the latest news from around the world

INBRIEF Celebrating 175 years of chemistry, Anniversary goes with a bang at Cambridge Science Festival Over 20 MPs took part in a series of As part of Cambridge Science Festival’s mess! The best moment for me though was science experiments in February, to mark weekend spectacle, the Royal Society bumping into my school chemistry teacher the exact date of our 175th anniversary. of Chemistry team took visitors on an who’d brought her current batch of students. The event, which took place in Parliament, interactive journey through historical She brought me on a school trip to the saw MPs undertake experiments with breakthroughs in the chemical sciences. science festival while I was in year 12 and children’s presenter Fran Scott and Members of the public were invited to join I hope the trip inspired them as much as it her team from Great Scott! science them in celebrating major developments in did me!” shows. Fran has previously presented the field of chemistry since our forebears One of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s science programmes for CBBC, and has first met in 1841. visitors was Max, aged nine, who was performed science shows across the UK, The stands, based at the University of particularly keen on the polymers stand, collaborating with Richard Hammond, Cambridge chemistry department, were run where participants were encouraged to Brian Cox and . by more than 30 Royal Society of Chemistry develop their own chemical recipe to make MPs took part in a range of eye-catching staff volunteers and featured hands-on the best bouncy balls. experiments, including the burning experiments such as extracting DNA from Max said: “I’ve learnt lots of things today of flash cotton in their hands, getting strawberries, investigating the intriguing but to be honest, I’ve definitely enjoyed their hands hit with a hammer whilst properties of cornflour in water and analysing this the most! It’s really fun, it doesn’t cost protected by non-newtonian goo, paint pigments with Spectroscopy in a any money and it’s cool that you can do creating a lycopodium powder flame and Suitcase. it at home”. Max’s mum Paula, who works experimenting with ‘flaming salts’. “The Royal Society of Chemistry has been as a solicitor, added: “we come to the At the event, MPs also heard about the advancing the chemical sciences for 175 Science Festival every year; it’s so great importance of good science teaching years, and we wanted to reflect that in for kids!” in primary schools in Glasgow Central, our activities for the festival this year,” said “Outreach events like the Cambridge Science and took part in some loud and colourful Philippa Matthews, a science communication Festival are such a great way to get more chemistry experiments performed to enthusiast on our graduate scheme. people excited about the contribution great acclaim by Fran and the team. “With the help of some very enthusiastic chemistry makes to our society and inspire Attendees at the event included the volunteers we covered topics ranging from the next generation of chemists,” said Chair of the Parliamentary and Scientific the pioneering work of our first president, volunteer James Sudlow. “I’m proud to be Committee, Stephen Metcalfe, MP, Thomas Graham, on colloids, right through working for an organisation that’s been Defence Minister Penny Mordaunt to the future of chemistry. supporting the chemical sciences for 175 MP, and Shadow Business and Culture “I think my favourite stand was the strawberry years and hope we can build on the work of Minister Chi Onwurah MP. See the inside DNA stand – the strawberries were mashed our predecessors and continue this support cover of this month’s RSC News for more up with great enthusiasm and even more for many years to come.” pictures of the event. © ROYAL OF CHEMISTRY SOCIETY Commenting after the event Stephen Metcalfe said: “I really enjoyed learning more about chemistry and taking part in the experiments. It was also great to speak to the Royal Society of Chemistry about the important work they do in promoting excellent science teaching across primary schools.” © ROYAL SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY / MPP IMAGE CREATION SOCIETY / MPP IMAGE OF CHEMISTRY © ROYAL

4 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 Young chemists showcase INBRIEF their work at Parliament Editors’ Symposium 2016

© JOHN DEEHAN/SET FOR BRITAIN The 6th Royal Society of Chemistry Editors’ Symposium, held in London at the end of February, was a truly international event. A grand total of 319 delegates – from 30 countries, 50 journal, magazine and book series editorial boards, and our Publishing Board – came together at a hotel near Heathrow to discuss all aspects of publishing activities. The theme was ‘Quality, Integrity, Excellence.’ In addition to board meetings, sixteen workshop topics were facilitated by staff, enabling discussion and sharing insights into topics such as publishing ethics, diversity and inclusion, and the future of peer review. A highlight at the symposium banquet, held at the historic Guildhall in the City of London, was President presenting Certificates of Recognition to two individuals who have made a significant contribution to the Royal Society of Chemistry: Pictured are Professor Chris Orvig, who was recognised for his work on Reviews, , (L-R) Stephen Benn (Royal Society of ), Helen Pain, Bryden Le Bailly, and Editorial Boards; and Joanna Sadler, Joshua Barham and Stephen Metcalfe MP (Chair, Parliamentary Professor David Haddleton for his support and Scientific Committee). of ChemComm and the launch of Polymer Chemistry. A group of 30 young chemists presented On receiving the SET for Britain Gold Medal, IMAGES © ROYAL OF CHEMISTRY / MPP IMAGE SOCIETY CREATION their work in Parliament as part of the SET Joanna said: “It feels fantastic to win, and for Britain competition, which rewards today was a great opportunity to come to strong communication skills and excellence Parliament and present my research to those in science. who are not from a chemistry background. The competition was established by The drive behind my work is sustainable Dr Eric Wharton in 1997, and aims chemistry, and I’m interested in making to encourage, support and promote chemical processes more sustainable and Britain’s early-stage and early-career environmentally friendly.” research scientists, technologists and Silver was awarded to Joshua Barham – also mathematicians. It’s an opportunity for from GSK and the University of Strathclyde MPs to speak to a wide range of the – for his work on using visible light as an country’s best early-career researchers, energy source, instead of using thermal across five subject areas. energy, to power chemistry. Joshua met his MP at the event, and told us: “I was delighted This year’s event saw a wide variety of to tell my local MP, Stephen McPartland, entrants in the chemistry category, whose about the local research happening in his work spanned a range of topics, from constituency”. new technology focused on reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry, The Bronze medal was awarded to Bryden to using biotechnology to treat the tropical Le Bailly from the University of , whose disease leishmaniasis. work involved building communication devices based on G proteins, a family of proteins that can transmit signals between On the podium cells. His research also involves looking at The gold medal and top prize of £3,000 artificial ways to replicate senses, such as was awarded to Joanna Sadler, for her work sense of smell. designing new biocatalysts for sustainable Royal Society of Chemistry deputy chief organic synthesis. executive Dr Helen Pain (pictured alongside While studying on a collaborative industrial the winners with their certificates) gave programme between GlaxoSmithKline and a speech in which she highlighted the the University of Strathclyde Joanna’s work importance of nurturing the next generation was recognised at the RSC Organic Division of young scientists, particularly through poster symposium, where she won the increasing the numbers of specialist industry prize in 2015. chemistry teachers in schools.

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 5 Science festivals launch our global

WORDS experiment LEE PAGE

Following on from our feature last month, we revisit Mission: Starlight – a global experiment on UV protection to see how the project has been developing. The experiment asks 7–16 year-old students across the world to investigate materials that block or limit UV light using colour-changing beads and post their results on our website

Teachers and students alike have been inspired by Tim Peake to make a small group of volunteers who went out to Scout and Girl Guide the experiment their own. Tim’s Principia mission is as much about groups to run through the experiment. Feedback on this was that it inspiring the next generation on Earth as it is about the science going was hugely enjoyable and the volunteers have been invited back to on in the International Space Station. It has been amazing to follow do it again with other local Brownie groups.” the efforts of so many young students using and developing their practical skills to discover something new. What was the day like for you? “I spent the day with St Teresa’s Primary School in Belfast, where over 150 pupils took part. The Belfast Telegraph and the local The Global Experiment Day Andersonstown News were there with TV cameras, doing interviews. On 23 February 2016, on our 175th anniversary, we launched the “For me, it was great to get emails and tweets through from first global experiment day in Northern Ireland. participants on the morning of 23 February and to see the results Northern Ireland Science Festival director Chris McCreery, who slowly build up on the global experiment map. helped organise the event, said: “This year we are going global, with “Global experiment day attracted over 1,500 participants to the an opportunity for schools, community groups, clubs and families in experiment from across Northern Ireland and beyond. I was also Northern Ireland to be among thousands of students from around the pleased to see some home educators take part, as they often feel world collaborating in Mission: Starlight. Contributing and engaging left out of schools initiatives.” on an international level on this scale is a hugely exciting and valuable thing to do, and we’re all proud to be part of it.” How did the students get on with the experiment? An important step in making the global experiment day a reality is “Many pupils wanted to know the ‘right’ answer! Some wanted to people on the ground, networking, organising and pulling everything know how the beads worked, but mostly they were focused on doing together. So we thank Stephanie Nelson, our education coordinator the experiment correctly – they were all delighted to be involved and for Northern Ireland, as well as all the local volunteers and education really well behaved for all the visitors.” coordinators who worked tirelessly to make this and related events “I was really pleased to see the experiment being run outside of come together. And let’s not forget the teachers and students who Northern Ireland to give a global feel to the day. We published the also turned out to take part – thank-you all. global experiment day on the British Council ‘eTwinning’ site, which I recently caught up with Stephanie to hear about global experiment enabled teachers and students at international schools in 40+ day in Northern Ireland. European countries to see the experiment and collaborate online. We saw schools in England, Ireland, Turkey and Spain all post results What was it like to organise? on 23 February, with hopefully many more to follow in the coming weeks and months.” “The message we spread via our visits to schools and science centres in Northern Ireland was to participate in the global experiment at your The global experiment day was covered widely in the Northern Irish location and communicate via social media on the day. We helped by media as part of the Science Festival, as it was so clear to see the sending out UV colour-changing beads, but really Tim Peake is such a engagement, results and participants in this unique experiment. big draw, it was not difficult to convince teachers. I helped coordinate See the data for yourself at rsc.li/mission-starlight

6 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 Global experiment results Terry Rodgers, Principal, St Theresa’s Quotes from social media about the results reveal a real interest in black Primary School, Northern Ireland, said: tea comparatively offering better protection than tap water, and that natural “I think it will support the students’ oils such as red raspberry seed oil or coconut oil offer surprising levels of aspirations. They can see that science UV protection. is a part of everyday life, it can be fun One experimenter asked us: “Is it the colour of black tea providing and it can be exciting. UV protection or is it something about the tea itself?” The experiment to answer that question is to compare the results of food “This way they will be able to think of colouring added to water to match the colour of black tea. I have my a future career in the STEM subjects”. own theory but there is nothing like an experiment to prove this one way or another. Georgina Bream, from Dumbarton The UV beads are reusable, so with the northern hemisphere summer fast approaching, schools could try adapting the global experiment to Academy in Scotland, said: “Thanks reinforce positive messages about keeping safe in the sun and the science so much for preparing such a great of sunscreens, or simply to compare the effects of time of year and angle student investigation. of sunlight. “We posted our data to the website and Our global experiment site contains all the information teachers need for taking part. It also includes a range of activities that can lead to students got the email confirmation containing earning a CREST award – I look forward to seeing more results posted to a thank-you [video] message from the website in the coming months. Tim Peake; the students were thrilled.” IMAGES COURTESY OF GLOBAL EXPERIMENTERS FROM TURKEY, SCOTLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 7 Your vote counts! Your professional body, your voice, your chance to shape the future of the Royal Society of Chemistry

As a member of the Royal Society of Chemistry, you have the opportunity to shape the way your professional body is run. We represent chemists at all stages of their career and members support our objectives by sitting on many of our governance bodies and through other important activities. We want the members serving on our governance bodies to represent the breadth and diversity of the chemical sciences, with reference to industrial and academic backgrounds, geographical spread, gender, ethnicity and age range. All vacancies are filled in accordance with our current by-laws and electoral regulations at our Annual General Meeting, which will be held on Wednesday 6 July this year.

2016 Elections The Royal Society of Chemistry will be holding elections to fill the following vacancies: • one elected member of the Science, Education and Industry Board • two elected members of the Analytical Division Council • two elected members of the Chemistry Biology Interface Division Council • two elected members of the Faraday Division Council • two elected members of the Materials Chemistry Division Council

• two elected members of the Organic Division Council. © SHUTTERSTOCK

Managing our Governance I have always been committed to running efficient, democratic electoral processes and in previous roles have been responsible for managing the processing and counting of votes at local, general and European elections. I was responsible for managing the introduction of new technologies in postal voting at such elections; one of the highlights was attending a fascinating ourse on how to detect fraudulent signatures. As the Royal Society of Chemistry’s governance manager, I firmly believe that by voting you have the ability to shape your own professional association and to help lead it into the future. I was very proud last year to manage the Royal Society of Chemistry’s first ever presidential election in our 175 year history. In the next RSC News we will be talking to our president-elect, Sir about the elections process and why he feels that all members should take up their democratic right to vote in the elections. Please take the time to look at our webpages that set out how the Royal Society of Chemistry is run via our Council, boards and divisions. General information on our governance can be found at rsc.org/about-us/our-structure

Elections procedure In January’s RSC News, we announced the 26 vacancies on our boards and divisions and called for nominations to be received by the closing date of 4 March 2016. In early May our members will receive an email from Mi-Voice advising them when the elections will open followed by an email on the day it opens with details on how to vote. Our members who have requested a postal vote will be sent these in the post. A telephone line +44 (0)2380 762877 and website link rscpostalballotrequest.org to

make a request to receive a postal pack is available until 22nd April 2016. SOCIETY OF CHEMISTRY © ROYAL

8 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 Voting made easier We are committed to providing a professional democratic process in running its elections. By running a democratic election process, it ensures that all members have the opportunity to select the people that represent them throughout the organisation’s governance structure. For the past two years, the Royal Society of Chemistry has engaged with Mi-Voice to run the elections process on our behalf. They have been helping Professional Bodies, Trade Unions, Corporates and Charities with their voting requirements for over six years. Their expertise lies in optimising the use of technology to increase participation. Mi-Voice will again run our election process for 2016. This year, they have helped us develop a more efficient elections process by eliminating the need to send postal ballots to voters with a confirmed email address. The traditional postal ballot for members of the electorate will still be offered by setting up a postal request telephone line and website.

Reassurance Mi-Voice provides comprehensive support for both RSC staff and members. Services are all underpinned using a multi-channel support tool (telephone, email, online). Royal Society of Chemistry elections are secure; all transactions conducted using encrypted protocols and all data is hosted in a secure data centre in the UK. Mi-Voice complies with the Data Protection Act and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office for your peace of mind. Some of the other organisations who use Mi-Voice to run their elections include; The Royal Aeronautical Society, The British Airline Pilots Association, The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the , the Museums Association and the Institute of Library and Information Professionals.

WORDS PETER HOLLAND

Mi-Voice will provide emails to members as a reminder to vote, last one being received a couple of days before voting closes in June. Behind the scenes Mi-Voice run a dedicated support phone line and email for our members if they are experiencing any problem in voting. We are able to look at the way voting is going on a daily basis via real time reporting. This assists in providing an accurate picture of voting patterns whilst an election is in progress and this is important information that we use after the voting has ended to look at trends in voting. This helps us look at the best ways to improve the process in future years. Declaring results The results of our elections are announced at the Annual General Meeting and recorded in its report which is available in the August edition of RSC News and at rsc.li/vacancies-elections

The future We hope to integrate our electoral processes with all main stream social media platforms, helping to maximise the reach of our elections and increase voter turnover. We would also like to develop an electronic method of managing the nominations process.

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 9 The apprentice A resurgence in apprenticeships over recent years means almost half a million people began an apprenticeship in the 2014 / 15 academic year

This renaissance is in stark contrast to the early 1990s, where to university courses. It was not uncommon for the brighter students roughly 50,000 started an apprenticeship each year. So what to be directed down the academic route whilst less capable students has happened since the mid-1990s, why are there so more were directed down the apprenticeship route. people starting apprenticeships now, and will this affect science companies and providers? Recognition, stucture and support A big reason for the resurgence is the development of new Apprenticeships are strong programmes that provide nationally apprenticeships. When they were incredibly strong in the 1950s and recognised qualifications alongside work experience in a structured 60s, apprenticeships were largely for craft and trade occupations environment. Many of the qualifications people are familiar with which suited the primary industries of that time. However, as actually make up the apprenticeship such as BTECs, NVQs, HNCs, the economy transformed into service and tertiary sectors, the HNDs and Foundation Degrees. The apprentices also receive a wage development of apprenticeships failed to keep pace. and invaluable work experience gaining core professional skills and Nowadays we have apprenticeships available in everything, literally competence along the way. from accountancy to zoology. Another important policy aspect that has contributed to the growth is Apprenticeships with the highest number of learners are currently the funding available for the qualifications, and apprenticeships being health and care, and business administration. To demonstrate the shift opened up to higher qualification levels. The government currently in landscape, 40,000 people began a management apprenticeship invests approximately £1.5 billion into apprenticeship training each in 2014/15. These apprenticeships were simply unavailable up until year, which means that the qualifications are either subsidised or fully recent times. funded. Changing government policy has also had a major impact on The development of higher apprenticeships has been a real apprenticeships over the years. In the 1980s and 90s, the Youth breakthrough, opening up vocational routes to highly skilled sectors Training Scheme was created, which subsequently attracted such as science. Up until recently, it was only possible to do a level 2 significant criticism. In addition, government set a target of 1-in-2 or level 3 apprenticeship (GCSE and A-Level equivalents respectively) people to be university educated. While these policies were well but now apprenticeships can be created all the way up to degree intentioned, they led to apprenticeships being viewed as second-rate level, with the same access to funding.

10 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 Individuals approaching the end of their A-Levels or GCSEs are created by employers for employers. We are actively involved with IMAGES © SHUTTERSTOCK beginning to appreciate that apprenticeships can get them to incorporating RSci and RSciTech into the assessment criteria. where they want to be. In 2014/15 there were approximately 1.5m We are running an apprenticeship grant whereby employers can apprenticeship applications made in England, and almost 500,000 access funding to help them recruit an apprentice. The grant is people began an apprenticeship. designed to support employers that haven’t had apprentices before There is substantial government support for apprenticeships. It and aims to encourage more employers to offer apprenticeship seems unusual for a Minister to make a speech without referencing opportunities. them. This, however, is not a new phenomena as it was the Labour For a limited period we are allowing employers to advertise free-of- government that initially reinvigorated these vocational pathways in charge apprenticeship opportunities onto jobs the 1990s. The current government is embarking upon some fairly We ran a membership offer during National Apprenticeship Week, considerable reform. reducing the membership fee for current apprentices to just £10, to New apprenticeship standards are being written enabling employers help engage more apprentices with our member benefits. We also to come together to define what an apprenticeship looks like, and had our very own director of membership and external affairs, Clare importantly how apprentices should be assessed as being competent. Viney, taking on an apprentice’s role to help raise the profile during This for the first time really places employers at the heart of the week – see our Youtube channel for a video of the visit. apprenticeship development. We believe we all have a role to play in addressing these perceptions The government has also announced its intention to introduce an and ensuring apprenticeships help prevent the skills shortages apprenticeship levy from 2017 which will see all employers pay 0.5% predicted in the chemical sciences. That includes employers of their pay bill on anything over £3m into an apprenticeship pot. considering apprenticeship recruitment, individuals exploring the This additional compulsory levy will only be able to be spent on options available to them, as well as training providers delivering apprenticeships. accessible and valued programmes. There is also the intention to introduce a Digital Apprenticeship There is much more we can do as a sector – but there isn’t going to Service for employers to vastly simplify the process of hiring be just one solution. We are working to overcome the culture and apprentices. This will enable employers to choose the appropriate perception that apprenticeships are a lesser option to academia. Our apprenticeship, recruit an apprentice, access the funding and select a work will continue to show they are an equally credible alternative to training provider – all online. academic routes into fascinating careers in science.

What are we doing? WORDS It is clear to see that apprenticeships have developed considerably, RICHARD HOLLIDAY and are set to grow even further. The government target of 3m during the lifetime of this parliament crudely equates to 600,000 per year. So what are we as the Royal Society of Chemistry doing to keep pace with the development of apprenticeships and their popularity? As a sector we do have some way to go to dislodge the perception that the route into the science sector is only via academic routes. Ultimately, this can only be achieved by employers and individuals buying into the benefits and being supported by strong information and advice. As the professional body for chemistry we are always available to help members with this type of impartial advice. To that end, we have begun accrediting apprenticeship training providers and are keen to continue with this so individuals will trust the apprenticeships that we support. We are also now licenced to administer the professional awards of Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) and (RSci) which enable individuals to publically demonstrate professional competence. These are important awards as they allow individuals that are in work and progressing up the career ladder to become recognised. For example, at the end of an apprenticeship it is possible for individuals to directly apply for the awards. We are members of the Trailblazer Apprenticeship group for the new Life Sciences and Industrial Science Apprenticeship standard, which are the new apprenticeship standards being

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 11 Connecting the dots… How our industrial placement and internship grants impact students, WORDS graduates and small companies JENNY LOVELL

The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing exporter. That generates £15.2bn each year, directly employs almost 160,000 people, and plays a FIND A PLACEMENT huge role in the UK’s economy. One of our most fundamental goals as a community is to ensure that the next generation of If you’re an SME looking for a placement chemists are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to sustain and grow the sector. student or intern, visit rsc.org/sme/grants- funding for application deadlines. If you’re In today’s economy, graduate recruitment is highly competitive for chemists. Large a student or graduate in search of industrial company closures, consolidations and downscaling mean there is increasing student placements or internships, keep an eye out demand for industrial experience. A few years ago, Professor Sir Tim Wilson carried out a on the Chemistry World jobs and Cogent review of university-business collaboration, finding that placements and work experience Skills websites for open positions. boost both academic performance and employability in students, which go some way to alleviating these barriers. In response to the Wilson review and a report that noted the small number of internships available in the scientific sector, we launched our industrial placement and internship grants. After running both grants for a year, we have increased the number of placements available in small chemical science companies. Let’s take a look at the positive impact both grants have had on companies, students and graduates….

The industrial placement grant The industrial placement grant is available to companies enrolled on EnterprisePlus – our programme for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). We provide £20,000 and recruitment support through our partner, Cogent Skills, which reduces the financial strain associated with employing an undergraduate student for a year. In 2014 we awarded grants for 11 students and increased to 14 in 2015. One aim of the scheme is to provide a sustainable way for companies to continue providing student placements in the future, so we were delighted that in 2015, nine companies provided placements with 50% funding. The transformation in the 2014–15 cohort of students during their placement was vast. All of the students grew in confidence, gained technical knowledge and became more commercially aware. On graduation, the 11 students will receive their Registered Scientist award, giving them professional recognition for the skills they developed during their placement. “The exposure you get as a student working in an SME is invaluable, it’s something you don’t get in a big pharma company,” explains Kris Paraschiv, a final year student at the , who spent her placement at YProTech. “Over the past year I feel like I’ve helped the company grow. The placement was eye-opening and it was a fantastic way of building the tools and skills you need as a chemist.” The impact of the grant went beyond just student employability. “Having a student join the team is a breath of fresh air on a day-to-day level,” outlines Tom Screen, Operations Director at YProTech. A placement student enables the SME to develop their internal training support and gives them more security to work on open-ended research projects. YProTech also strengthened their existing relationship with the University of Leeds where Kris had previously worked in a research group closely aligned to her project at the company. “As we developed products, Kris was able to make suggestions of academics at Leeds to speak to about their application,” says Tom. As YProTech develop new specialist chemistry services it is important they maintain contacts with academics working at the forefront of these areas.

12 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 The internship grant chemist job role: “I have a great deal of freedom to do things that I © ROYAL OF CHEMISTRY / LEAP PRODUCTIONS SOCIETY wouldn’t be able to do at a larger company. The fact that I can do Similar to the industrial placement grant, we provide £4,000 and something totally new each day is what I loved about my internship recruitment support to enable EnterprisePlus companies to employ and why I decided to stay afterwards.” an intern for three months. For Oxford nanoSystems, Andrew brought in new skills, experience In 2015 we awarded eight full-time internships to recent BSc, Masters and a different way of thinking which helped alleviate tough and PhD graduates, and a part-time internship to Jane Scanlon, who challenges in prioritising business-critical research projects. recently returned to work from a career break. Jane’s internship at Labstract Ltd enabled her to refresh her skills while being flexible Alexander Reip, acting CEO at Oxford nanoSystems, says, “Andrew around her family commitments. “Being able to do the internship learnt our techniques quickly and got on with the projects we set part-time was extremely valuable for me” reflects Jane, “working in up. He also started some of his own which has helped our short a small company meant that I gained an appreciation of how many and long-term goals.” Alexander goes on to explain how the grant different roles each person in the company has.” impacted their recruitment, adding: “The fully funded placement let us bring in and test out new talent before making the choice of Employing someone with experience can provide additional benefits whether we can afford to hire them.”Andrew now works full time at for companies. Suki Klair, Managing Director at Labstract Ltd explains Oxford nanoSystems where he hopes his experience in industry will how Jane required little management to get started in the lab: “Her help him set up his own company in the future. background in industry meant that she had a great understanding of the way a bioscience organisation works and interacts with other companies.” Jane has recently secured a part-time job as a medicinal Broader impact chemist at another SME, but continues to help Labstract with their Although SMEs make up 96% of the UK’s chemical companies, their marketing activities, adding, “I feel that my internship was invaluable profile compared to large industry leaders is small. The broader, to my return to science.” overarching impact that both grants have had is in raising the profile Internships also offer graduates a safe way to test out careers in of SMEs. Not only are they are an exciting place for students and industry after they finish their degree. Recent graduate, Andrew graduates to work, they provide unique opportunities to get exposure Anderson, used his time working for Oxford nanoSystems to gain to all areas of the business. industrial experience before deciding on his career path. Tom Screen concludes: “The grant is a great way to encourage and “Originally I planned on doing a number of internships before seeking support new SMEs to host a placement student. It brings the potential a PhD in inorganic chemistry,” he explains. Working in an SME has benefits of placement schemes to SMEs which now make up such a enabled Andrew to gain broader experience beyond his process large proportion of the UK chemistry sector”.

Our 2014–15 industrial placement students.

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 13 Opinion Letters and comments on RSC activities and issues

FROM THE EDITOR Are you the first chemistry BSA

This month’s RSC media ? News sees the I just opened my March RSC News and had to write with a quick correction re your second feature item: ‘Are you the first chemistry BSA media fellow?’ as the answer to the question on our exciting is: ‘Yes I was!’. global experiment I was an RSC sponsored Media Fellow way back in 1992. I attach a cutting of an item I wrote for Chemistry World’s predecessor Chemistry in Britain describing my time series. I think at BBC TV Science and Features – great to see me with hair! My Fellowship allowed it’s an incredible me to work on the fondly-remembered Tomorrow’s World which was the ‘prime- achievement time’ live science programme with presenters Judith Hann, Howard Stableford and – not only to Carmen Pryce. The Fellowship was a great experience – people like science writer link students from all over the world, Simon Singh and Andrew Cohen (now BBC Head of Science) were junior members of the TW team at the time – and my fellow in 1992 included Ruth McKernan contributing to the same chemistry (now CEO of InnovateUK – also a chemist I’m thinking!) and James Gillies (who project – but also to be able to provide went on to be CERN’s communication director). all of them with different learning The fellowship represented a turning point in both my career and my relationship experiences to enthuse and challenge all with the RSC. The experience inspired me get out of the laboratory into a career in ages and abilities. Of course, it doesn’t science communication that eventually brought me over to Brussels and work with hurt to have the backing of Major Tim the European Chemical industries and other research organisations. It also got me Peake – see p6 for that. more involved with the society’s activities: serving on some HQ committees and eventually becoming chair of the flourishing RSC Belgium section. We do a lot as a community to support The Fellowship really opened my eyes to the challenges and issues around small companies who have the ambition effectively communicating our science to the public. It is an area that is still and innovative ideas to make life better controversial for many, and the recent RSC Public Attitudes research has made for all of us, as well as growing their many of us think again about perceptions and communications strategies. I wish businesses into the bargain. our successful 2016 BSA Media Fellow every success – it can be a truly life changing opportunity. In my job I meet a number of hugely Tim Reynolds CChem MRSC impressive young people taking both Chairman, RSC Belgium Section, Brussels. academic and vocational routes into careers in chemistry, and on p8 and p12 you’ll find features on the work my colleagues do to support apprentices, graduates and the employers who benefit from offering them opportunities.

Edwin Silvester [email protected]

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14 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 Opinion Reaching an inflection point in Letters and comments on RSC activities and issues facing technology challenges Frank Gibson says scientific organisations need to invest in technology, and to work with each other and policymakers to develop a consistent and coordinated approach

Last month, researchers at John Hopkins University in Last year we published nearly 45,000 journal articles the US announced they had created a ‘map’ that can – making us the biggest publisher of quality chemical predict the safety of untested chemicals, using data science research in the world – and our papers were collected by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). downloaded over 37.5 million times. At the same That’s a huge step forward, potentially reducing the time, we’re experiencing a big rise in the amount need for animal testing and saving hundreds of millions of supplementary information being submitted by of pounds in drug development costs. authors. Unfortunately, the ECHA says it has exclusive rights As the volume of raw data we handle increases, I to the information and the Hopkins team didn’t get believe publishers will need to add value. For example, by using computational models to collate and analyse permission to duplicate it. As a result, the researchers Frank Gibson is director haven’t yet been able to make the database public. data across articles. of technology at the Computational models are transforming the All of this means that scientific publishers need Royal Society of Chemistry. possibilities for generating, analysing and using data. to become like technology companies. We need people with first-class technological and information Previously, scientists used computer models to test This article also appears hypotheses. Now, researchers like those at John management skills, from data scientists and database administrators through to developers. in the spring edition of Hopkins can use computer models to spot patterns Catalyst magazine. and make accurate predictions, without understanding the underpinning theory. Rapid growth If we are to make the most of these techniques, we We are reaching an inflection point in the amount of need better protocols and mechanisms for sharing scientific information being produced. According to a information. As a non-profit, with strong links across recent study* scientific output doubles roughly every the global chemistry community, the Royal Society of nine years. Chemistry supports this in the chemical sciences. But, as the experiences of the John Hopkins Our ChemSpider database integrates and links researchers show, we have not yet developed a information about 44 million chemical compounds coordinated way for sharing and managing this huge from more than 500 data sources, giving researchers volume of scientific data. the most comprehensive view of freely available Scientific organisations need to invest in technology, chemical data from a single online search. and to work with each other and policymakers to develop a more consistent and coordinated approach. Research challenges A great advantage of being based at Cambridge In 2014, we brought pharmaceutical and Science Park is that we are close both to leading agrochemical companies together with university academic researchers and to a thriving community “Now we are researchers to virtually screen 75,000 compounds of innovative companies. ‘lost’ in PhD theses. 65% appeared novel compared We’re always keen to share ideas, whether about undergoing a against public databases and 95% have been added the technical challenges of supporting a global to ChemSpider. organisation, or developments in data science and much more One of our biggest challenges is as a publisher of information management. If you would like to find out fundamental scientific research. When I started my career, the more about what we do, and how we use technology, focus was still on supporting printed journal articles. please get in touch. shift, with the Gradually, publishers evolved to creating a website for In some ways, the challenge is not new. The ability articles, through to thinking of the article as principally to share knowledge has always been at the heart of Open Access a digital product. scientific endeavour. What has changed is the sheer movement Now we are undergoing a much more fundamental volume of that knowledge, and our ability to analyse it. shift, with the Open Access movement and the drive To paraphrase Isaac Newton, we see further by and the drive to make research freely available and reproducible. standing on the shoulders of giants. What he couldn’t Readers are no longer satisfied with a PDF of an have predicted, is just how fast those giants are to make article. They want to easily access and use the relevant growing today. research freely research objects – from related research, to the source dataset and the algorithms used. This challenge is * “Growth rates of modern science: A bibliometric analysis based on the available and compounded by the sheer volume of research and number of publications and cited references”, Lutz Bornmann, Ruediger data being produced. Mutz, Journal of the Association for Information Science & Technology. reproducible.”

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 15 One to one Take advantage of a wide range of member services Your membership and your career in industry

Supporting the careers of our members Tailored career advice their business, recruit the right people and is at the heart of what we do. As the UK’s find the connections, opportunities and Our careers management team offers professional body for chemists we support resources they need to grow.) bespoke support to all members at every members at every stage and level and we career stage and for all areas of the chemical always want to hear how we can better do sciences. They offer one to one careers Access to resources that. Here are a few of the benefits available advice throughout the week, including Being able to access the latest news in to you through your membership. Thursday evenings. research is invaluable for those working in the chemical industry. We ensure that We also run career hubs which are one our members receive access to a number Professional recognition to three day events held in selected cities of scientific databases, including Reaxys Being a member of the Royal Society of across the UK for members where you can and ChemSpider, our publishing journals, Chemistry entitles you to use designatory come and have a one-to-one confidential Chemistry World magazine, as well as other letters after your name, showing your careers consultation with a qualified scientific database websites. For more commitment to your profession – Associates RSC careers specialist. The events often information visit our virtual library and include a networking evening too. If you’re use AMRSC, Members are MRSC and Fellows explore the resources available to you. are FRSC. We also offer opportunities for you interested in finding out more or booking an to gain further letters and accredit yourself appointment contact us at [email protected] Events and Networking with chartered or registered status. For just over a year we’ve been running a mentoring programme for our members, opportunities “Scientific recognition and continuing providing more opportunities for them to Throughout the year we offer many varied professional development are both address challenges and pursue personal and opportunities for networking with colleagues, vital factors in achieving your career professional development. This scheme is as well as connecting you with other people potential within any organisation. open to all members to either become a in your field. However, I also felt it was equally mentor or a mentee, for more information • See what your local section has important that growth in these areas on this service and how it works see the organised, or are you interesting in March issue of RSC News. was acknowledged in my external helping with coordinating or organising events in your local section? If so, then scientific profile. Fulfilling the required Every other year we run our Pay and Reward survey which enables us to collate data from get in touch with our networks team, attributes to achieve chartered our members to produce an authoritative [email protected] chemist status has allowed me to report on salary, employment benefits • Check out the various training courses continue to expand my external and career satisfaction in the chemical and workshops we have on offer, such as professional recognition.” sciences. This report allows us to provide ‘successful digital marketing’ taking place relevant information to support members in Nigel Swain CChem FRSC, Medicinal Chemist, in May, on our events page rsc.li/events the career regarding their pay and reward gained chartered status in 2016. • Take a look at our webinars listed on and is also beneficial to companies for chemistry world, covering topics such as If you are interested in becoming chartered, benchmarking. ‘essential tools for chemical development registered or you just want to keep track innovation, at rsc.li/webinars of your professional development, we “Since we joined EnterprisePlus we’ve have an online Continuing Professional seen a number of benefits including Our flagship industry Development tool that enables you to having access to the scientific monitor and track your objectives and remuneration survey. This gives us event – Chemistry Means progress effectively and efficiently. The a guideline to where we should be Business record you create is for your own personal paying our scientists to enable us to Chemistry Means Business is our annual use and enables you to monitor your get the top talent in”. two-day event for industry, uniting SMEs, progress over years and through various multinational organisations, investors, Phil Abbott MRSC, Technical Director at positions or roles you have. academic entrepreneurs and decisionmakers Reach Separations, EnterprisePlus member For more information on the various from across the UK and Europe. This year’s since January 2014. accredited statuses we support and our event is being held on 15–16 June in London Continuing Professional Development tool (EnterprisePlus is our dedicated service for and members receive a reduced rate. If head to our professional development micro, small and medium-sized companies, you’re interested, take a look at the event section of our careers pages rsc.li/careers providing them with tools to help promote listing at rsc.li/cmb2016

16 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 Diary Your guide to all important events

IN THE DIARY RSC conferences ANNOUNCING Conferences 17 Aggregation Induced Faraday Discussion Emission: Faraday Single Entity Discussion Events 18 18–20 November 2016 Electrochemistry South China University of Eastern 18 31 August–2 September 2016 Technology, Guangzhou, , UK China International 18 Full paper submission deadline – 11 April 2016 rsc.li/emission-fd2016 Midlands 18 Single entity electrochemistry studies provide a new way of viewing electrochemical processes at the and a bottom-up North East 19 approach for understanding electrochemical processes in complex DATES AND systems. This Faraday Discussion will bring together leading scientists DEADLINES North West 19 to discuss key challenges in the design, execution, analysis, theory and interpretation of single entity electrochemistry experiments, and Liquid Salts for Energy Scotland 19 to assess the implications of such measurements for electrochemistry and Materials: Faraday and broader interfacial science. Discussion South East 20 Submit your paper now for the chance to showcase your research in 11–13 May 2016 one of four key themes: Ningbo, China South West 21 • nanoparticles (NPs), nanotubes (NTs) and nanowires (NWs) Standard registration deadline – 11 April 2016 Wales 21 • nanopores • complex surfaces and reactions at the nanoscale rsc.li/liquidsalts-2016 • molecular electroanalysis: from single molecules to single cells. Notices 22 Nanoparticles with Register now. Spaces for this meeting are limited and will fill up fast. Morphological and Deaths 23 rsc.li/electrochemistry-fd2016 Functional Anisotropy: Faraday Discussion 4–6 July 2016 NOTICES Faraday Discussion Glasgow, UK Poster abstract deadline – Reaction Rate Theory 25 April 2016 19–21 September 2016 Early bird registration Cambridge, UK deadline – 16 May 2016 Poster abstract deadline – 11 July 2016 rsc.li/anisotropy-fd2016 Reaction rate theory has developed rapidly in recent years and is being used to interpret and simulate an ever-growing Carbon Capture and range of challenging rate-processes in chemistry, physics and Storage: Faraday Discussion biology. New theories and methodologies have been developed to treat processes including coupled proton and electron transfer, 18–20 July 2016 enzyme catalysis, nucleation and transport through cell membranes. Sheffield, Underlying these disparate areas of rate-theory are a common Early bird registration Find out who’s been celebrating language, techniques and methodology. This meeting will bring deadline – 30 May 2016 together theoretical and physical chemists, molecular biologists, at Burlington House, on p22. rsc.li/ccs-fd2016 solid state physicists and bio-physicists in academia and industry to exchange this new knowledge. Ultrafast Imaging of Submit your abstract now if you wish to be considered for an oral Photochemical Dynamics: Further presentation and the chance to showcase your research in one of Faraday Discussion information four key themes: 31 August–2 September 2016 To find out more about any • fundamentals Edinburgh, UK event on this page, see • non-adiabatic reactions Poster abstract deadline – www.rsc.org/events • new methods for rare event sampling 20 June 2016 Call +44 (0) 1223 43 large systems. 2254/2380 • rsc.li/dynamics-fd2016 Registration is now open. Join us in Cambridge, September 2016. Or email [email protected] rsc.li/reaction-fd2016

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 17 Events

SINGAPORE OTHER EVENTS Further information UK – Singapore Symposium Analytical Division – The RSC News Diary this month lists Royal Society of Chemistry on Nanomaterials and their Northern Ireland events from April to May 2016 that are held on our conference Applications Crystals and Intellectual database. Further details on any of these meetings can be This symposium focuses on the Property obtained from the named contact or from our conference website latest research on nanomaterials In this seminar, the background at www.rsc.org/events and their applications in energy and importance of crystalline You can search events by name, date or keywords and have the and biomedical devices. One of the forms will be discussed and how major outcomes of this symposium option to browse by location, subject area and event type. intellectual property is tied to these will be opportunities for UK and forms will be presented. Singapore scientists to meet and • 20 April network and exchange ideas. • Queen’s University Belfast • 21 April • 19 April • Contact Panagiotis Manesiotis EASTERN • The Fielder Centre, Hatfield • National University of Singapore +44 (0)28 9097 4515 • Contact Maggi Churchouse • Contact RSC Events Team [email protected] EAST ANGLIA SECTION +44 (0)1359 221004 +44 (0)1223 432509 maggi@maggichurchouseevents. [email protected] Retired Members Lunch – co.uk Suffolk THAILAND The chance to catch up with MIDLANDS friends and colleagues over lunch. UK – Thai Symposium on Local to you Career • 15 April Nanomaterials and their Consultations • The Randolph Hotel, INTERNATIONAL Applications We will be coming to discuss, in Southwold This symposium focuses on the • Contact John Beckett CHINA confidence, any career related latest research on nanomaterials matters. +44 (0)1502 675705 and their applications in energy [email protected] 1st • 4–5 April 2016 International Conference and biomedical devices. The • Jurys Inn, (MH1) RSC has teamed up with the • Contact RSC Career National Science and Technology OTHER EVENTS • 8–10 April Management Team Development Agency, the National [email protected] Local to you Career • Overseas (Yingjie) Exchange Nanotechnology Center and Center, Peking University, China Consultations the National Metal and Materials Organic Division Midlands • Contact RSC China Events Team We will be coming to discuss, in Technology Center to organise Regional Meeting +86 105982 2317 this UK-Thai Joint Symposium. confidence, any career related The programme will consist [email protected] We hope one of the major matters. of speakers from across the outcomes of this symposium will • 18 April Universities in the region alongside Faraday Division be opportunities for UK and Thai • The Angel Hotel, Bury St plenary RSC award lectures from scientists to meet and network and Edmunds Liquid Salts for Energy the recipients of 2015 Organic exchange ideas. • Contact RSC Career and Materials: Faraday Industrial Chemistry Award and • 21 April Management Team Discussion the 2015 Merck Award. • National Science and Technology [email protected] With a focus on energy and • 11 April Development Agency, Pathum materials, this Faraday Discussion • University of Birmingham Thani, Thailand Local to you Career • Contact Iain Wilkinson will offer a unique opportunity • Contact RSC Events Team Consultations +44 (0)121 414 2275 for all scientists and engineers [email protected] We will be coming to discuss, in to present to discuss and debate [email protected] confidence, any career related recent discoveries and future matters. developments in relation to the Professional Registration • 19 April understanding and applications of workshop • Town Hall, Braintree liquid salts, particularly at elevated IRELAND This workshop will focus on the • Contact RSC Career temperatures. benefits of becoming a member Management Team • 11–13 May NORTHERN IRELAND of a professional body and also the [email protected] • The University, SECTION benefits of the professional awards; Ningbo, China Registered Scientist and Registered Annual Dinner Science Technician, and how Biological and Medicinal • Contact Events Team, China you prepare an application. The Chemistry Sector +86 105982 2334 Guest Speaker is Mr Albert Gillespie, MBE. Cost £25.00, professional awards recognise high 27th Symposium on [email protected] Medicinal Chemistry in Students/Postgrad £10.00. standards and show a commitment Eastern England 20 May to both professional and career • Ulster Reform Club, Belfast development. The symposium will comprise ITALY • Contact Dermot Hanna • 18 April presentations covering various Heterocyclic and Synthesis +44 (0)7894 309840 • Central College, Nottingham aspects of drug discovery, Group [email protected] • Contact Samantha Yeomans including medicinal chemistry case 15th RSC-SCI Joint Meeting samantha.yeomans@ studies and SBDD, as well as more centralnottingham.ac.uk general topics related to medicinal on Heterocyclic Chemistry chemistry and drug discovery. The • 12–15 May meeting is applicable to all those • Hotel Caparena, Taormina, Italy working in medicinal chemistry • Contact Sharon Rossiter and drug discovery and will offer +44 (0)1707 285205 networking opportunities. [email protected]

18 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 EVENTS

Education Division – OTHER EVENTS OTHER EVENTS Midlands NORTH EAST Magic Molecules: Organic Division North East Local to you Career The Magic of Oxygen HULL & EAST YORKSHIRE Regional Meeting Consultations A lecture for Year 6 pupils. Tickets SECTION A symposium showcasing a We will be coming to discuss, in for the event are free of charge but broad range of organic chemistry confidence, any career related registration is required. The Science of Brewing matters. with Atom Beers – followed research from universities in • 20 April the Northeast. The meeting will • 25–27 April • University of Birmingham by the Annual General • Meeting include RSC prize plenary talks • Contact N Briggs from Professor Michael Krische, • Contact RSC Career +44 (0)1827 311205 Atom Beers are collaborating University of Texas at Austin (2015 Management Team [email protected] with Hull University to study Pedler Award) and Professor David [email protected] the complex carbohydrate O’Hagan, University of St Andrews characteristics of beer – learn (2015 Organic Stereochemistry 2016 North West Archival Breath Sampling more, enjoy some samples and Award) alongside presentations Organic Division Workshop partake in a light buffet before from established and early career Regional Meeting The workshop will be based on moving on to the AGM. researchers. The program will also The event will set out to celebrate practitioner presentations, posters • 20 April include a poster session, lunch and the exciting research of new and table-top exercises. This event • Staff House, University of Hull a drinks mixer. Registration is free. academics in the region, with is intended to enable investigators • Contact Phil Caygill • 6 April talks from all chemistry-based to benchmark and align their +44 (0)7951 302137 • Newcastle University departments from the Liverpool breath sampling methods and [email protected] • Contact Michael Hall and universities, provide expert, informal and [email protected] Lancaster and UCLan. The event friendly instruction on archival SHEFFIELD AND DISTRICT will be free to attend and will cover breath sampling to researchers SECTION Outreach Conference organic, bio-organic or medicinal new to this area. We are bringing together chemistry. • 28 April Annual Pub Quiz representatives from our regional • 18 May • Burleigh Court Conference The quiz is based on various groups to share expertise in • University of Central Lancashire Centre, topics. Each team should have no delivering outreach activities This • Contact Tim Snape • Contact Prof Paul Thomas more than six people. Food will be year, the theme will be ‘Effective +44 (0)1772 895805 +44 (0)1509 222549 provided. outreach within schools’. [email protected] [email protected] • 14 April • 22–23 May • Bloo 88, Sheffield • International Centre for Life, Biological and Medicinal Newcastle Chemistry Sector • Contact Jackie Morton [email protected] • Contact RSC Events Team Kinase 2016: +44 (0)1223 434048 SCOTLAND Next Generation Retired Members’ [email protected] Inhibitors Springtime Social MID-SCOTLAND SECTION This symposium on kinase inhibitor A tour of the unique eighteenth design will feature several highly Annual General Meeting century industrial works. pertinent themes including new and Dinner • 26 April approaches and technologies to • Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, NORTH WEST AGM followed by dinner and modulate and measure kinase Sheffield a talk by Mr Douglas Murray function as well as diverse CUMBRIA SECTION • Contact Peter Jackson Master Distiller and Blender for medicinal chemistry case studies. [email protected] Diageo PLC on ‘The Science The symposium will also draw Workington Dock Tour behind traditional Scotch Whisky and Lecture on the lessons from history to Annual General Meeting production’. provide insight into the future A Tour of Workington Dock with • 22 April • 12 May direction of the field. In addition a lecture given by Colin Sharpe, • Best Western Park Hotel, Falkirk • University of Sheffield, Chemistry to medicinal discovery scientists Business Development Manager. • Contact Mark Dennis Department wishing to further their knowledge • 28 April +44 (0)1324 494554 • Contact Jackie Morton of kinases, the meeting will also • Contact Kevin Webb [email protected] be of great value to the wider [email protected] • Workington Port drug discovery community. It will +44 (0)19467 79264 Red, White and Blue? provide transferable lessons and TEESIDE SECTION [email protected] Professor John Hepworth from insight into how new approaches Lancaster will introduce and talk and technologies are being applied Root Cause Analysis at LANCASTER AND about five wines followed by a in a successful and maturing field the Materials Processing DISTRICT SECTION three course meal. Tickets are of research. Institute priced at £15 (£20 for non RSC • 16–17 May The tour will include fluid / particle Annual Quiz Night members). • BioCity, Nottingham flow modelling and imaging facility, with a Buffet • 6 May • Contact Chloe Weaver metallurgy, refractories, ceramics, • 5 April • Best Western Park Hotel, Falkirk +44 (0)2075 981561 glasses, analytical laboratories, • Preston’s College, Preston • Contact Mark Dennis [email protected] electronic sensors, stress/strain • Contact Harry Clarke +44 (0)1324 494554 measurements and an operational +44 (0)1995 640003 [email protected] Chemical Biology and steel / alloys plant, piloting / [email protected] Bio-Organic Chemistry upscaling area. Postgraduate Symposium • 12 April This one day meeting is open • Materials Processing Institute, LIVERPOOL SECTION to all, and is an opportunity for Middlesbrough postgraduate students to present • Contact Dr Adrian Adamson Retired Members’ Lunch their work at a national level. +44 (0)7830 985926 • 18 May • 19 May [email protected] • The Bluecoat, Liverpool • • Contact Dr Bob Lee • Contact Neil Thomas +44 (0)151 334 7875 [email protected] [email protected]

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 19 EVENTS

medicine and drug delivery. Registered Scientist and Registered Afternoon Tea at OTHER EVENTS Bannockburn Different approaches relying Science Technician, and how We would encourage all our ESR Spectroscopy Group on self-assembly of polymers, you prepare an application. The peptides and other biomaterials professional awards recognise high members to come along to renew 49th Annual International to create novel nanostructures standards and show a commitment old acquaintances and to catch up Meeting of the ESR Group with all the news while enjoying a with biomedical activity will to both professional and career There will be an international visit to the Bannockburn Exhibition be discussed by prominent development. programme of speakers, including followed by a leisurely afternoon researchers in the field presenting • 25 April the award of the annual Bruker tea. The total cost for the visit their state-of-the-art findings. • Cambridge Regional College, Prize lecture by Prof R David Britt and afternoon tea will be £10 per Registration is free. Cambridge (University of California, Davis). person. • 14 April • Contact Helen West • 3–7 April • 24 May • Shinfield Grange, Reading [email protected] • University of Essex, Colchester • Bannockburn Exhibition Centre/ • Contact Barbara Parr • Contact Dima Svistunenko King Robert Hotel +44 (0)118 378 8454 Chemical Biology +44 (0)1206 873149 • Contact Douglas McMillan [email protected] Symposium [email protected] [email protected] The programme will explore all BMCS – H&SG Symposium: aspects of chemical biology and Faraday Division Synthesis in the Agrisciences OTHER EVENTS highlight the wider scope and Designing New The objective of the meeting is impact of the field. This event will Heterogeneous Catalysts: Electrochemistry Group to promote scientific interactions include a poster session, providing Faraday Discussion between researchers in the field Scotland and North of an opportunity for early career At this discussion, we will bring and to showcase the key role that researchers to share and discuss England Electrochemistry synthesis plays in the development Symposium (Butler Meeting) the catalysis community together their recent research advances and to discuss the theme of designing of new agrochemicals. to network with others delegates. A symposium at which PhD new heterogeneous catalysts. We • 14 April • 27 April students and PDRAs from across will explore the modern methods • The Royal Society of Chemistry, • The Royal Society of Chemistry, Scotland and the North of used to design new catalysts Burlington House, London Burlington House, London England can meet with their peers and how the approaches can • Contact Maggi Churchouse • Contact RSC Events Team and present the results of their bridge across the disciplines of +44 (0)1359 221004 +44 (0)1223 434048 research in any field related to physical sciences and chemical maggi@maggichurchouseevents. [email protected] electrochemistry. There will also engineering. co.uk be a keynote lecture given by Prof • 4–6 April Advances in the Chemical John Irvine of the University of • The Royal Society of Chemistry, Biotechnology Group Analysis of Food – A Joint St Andrews. The symposium is Burlington House, London Chemical and Biological RSC Separation Science and free to attend. • Contact RSC Events Team Therapeutic Approaches to Food Group Meeting • 20 April +44 (0)1223 432509 Neurological Disorders III The meeting is of value to • School of Chemistry, University [email protected] The conference is focused on scientists working in the food of Glasgow and / or analytical science industry, • Contact Mark Symes solving the mechanisms involved Faraday Division in neurological disorders that whether academic or industrial, +44 (0)141 330 4416 from graduate to Professor. It [email protected] Chemistry in the Urban will facilitate the discovery of Atmosphere: Faraday disease – modifying treatments will provide excellent networking Discussion and brings together the top opportunities. Much of the recent research on influential academic and • 29 April urban air pollution has focused industrial researchers in the • The Royal Society of Chemistry, SOUTH EAST upon cities as a source of air field and will be of interest to all Burlington House, London • Contact Lewis Jones pollutants to the regional and scientific disciplines involved in +44 (0)1664 4155222 CHILTERNS AND global atmosphere. This ignores neuroscience. [email protected] MIDDLESEX SECTION the huge importance of urban air • 18 April pollution in the context of human • The Royal Society of Chemistry, Oyez,Oyez,Oyez! The Burlington House, London Regulatory Impact of health, and the associated policy Chemicals Control Policy Un-common Cryer and and scientific relevance of urban • Contact Dr Irene Francois Serjeant- at-Arms atmospheric chemistry studies to +44 (0)1483 469599 The key objectives of this symposium meeting is to A talk by Colonel Godbold compliance with limit values for [email protected] bring people from different followed by buffet lunch with wine. secondary pollutants (e.g. NO2 and disciplinary backgrounds together, • 15 April particulate matter) and quantifying Toxicology Group including economists, chemists, • The Royal Society of Chemistry, personal exposure to air pollution. Nanotoxicology: RSC toxicologists, epidemiologists, Burlington House, London With the increasing urbanisation of Toxicology Award Seminar endocrinologists and others • Contact Stephen Robinson human populations, this topic is of A seminar to celebrate the 2015 with an interest in chemicals +44 (0)20 8546 7940 ever-greater importance. Toxicology Award, to be presented management. The discussions [email protected] • 6–8 April to Professor Vicki Stone (Heriot- will aimed at exploring pragmatic • The Royal Society of Chemistry, Watt University) for pioneering ways in which different disciplinary Annual General Meeting, Burlington House transdisciplinary approaches approaches can contribute to Lecture and Buffet. • Contact RSC Events Department to assessing the safety of improving practice of valuation of + 44 (0)1223 434048 nanomaterials. AGM followed by a lecture given the regulatory impact of chemicals [email protected] • 19 April by Dr Tristram Wyatt, Kellogg management policy options. • The Royal Society of Chemistry, College, on • 3 May RSC Faraday Division Burlington House, London ‘The success of the smelliest: • The Royal Society of Chemistry, Sponsored Meeting on do humans have pheromones?’ • Contact Kate Jones Burlington House, London Self-Assembling Materials Followed by a buffet. £25 per ticket [email protected] • Contact RSC Events Team for the buffet. for Biomedicine +44 (0)1223 434048 • 3 May This meeting will bring together Professional Registration [email protected] • The Royal Society of Chemistry, researchers using (bio)polymers workshop Burlington House, London and related biomaterials in several This workshop will focus on the • Contact Ted Parton applications relevant to healthcare benefits of becoming a member +44 (0)20 8579 4146 – specifically in the fields of of a professional body and also the [email protected] tissue engineering, regenerative benefits of the professional awards;

20 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 EVENTS

Social Media: Practical Tools aseptic manufacturing and testing Award – for the development of • 18 April for Business to Business equipment. artificial water channel systems, • University of South Wales, Marketing • 12 May which have led to a better Pontypridd Every company knows that social • The Royal Society of Chemistry, understanding of the molecular- • Contact Natasha Galea media is essential to engage Burlington House, London scale hydrodynamics of water +44 (0)1443 482298 effectively with your stakeholders. • Contact JPAG Secretariat in biological systems and novel [email protected] Whether you’re doing research and [email protected] membranes systems for water development or selling products purification. RSC Bourke Award Lecture and services, an online presence Methods in Chemistry • 18 April No registration is required. is critical to raising your profile, Education Research • University of Southampton • 19 April increasing sales and growing your This conference is being organised • Contact Jonathan Kitchen • customers. If you want to develop in response to a growing demand +44 (0)2380 594156 • Contact James Redman a strategy to use social media and interest in chemistry education [email protected] +44 (0)29 2087 6273 effectively in your company and research in the UK. The meeting [email protected] need practical tools that you can will focus in particular on methods; Careers Event: Selling implement quickly, then we can the practicalities of how to do your Skills Cardiff Chemistry help. The course will be facilitated chemistry education research. At this career event, Laura Conference by Susan Hallam, one of the UKs Attendance is free. Woodward (RSC career specialist) Lectures will cover the full leading digital marketing experts, • 20 May will give a presentation and spectrum of Chemistry as well as who will update you on the latest • The Royal Society of Chemistry, workshop session on how best the interfaces between Chemistry thinking in internet marketing plus Burlington House, London to sell your skills. This will cover and other scientific disciplines. give you a multitude of top tips • Contact Michael Seery aspects of interview techniques Attendance is free of charge with and practical ways to boost your +44 (0)131 650 4713 and shaping your CV to highlight no registration formalities. performance on the web. [email protected] your key skills. The workshops will • 9-10 May • 5 May be followed by presentations from • Cardiff University • The Royal Society of Chemistry, people who have made a career • Contact Prof Kenneth Harris Burlington House, London change, who will provide insight +44 (0)29 2087 0133 • Contact RSC Events Team into their experience and offer [email protected] +44 (0)1223 432509 SOUTH WEST hints and tips they have picked up [email protected] along the way. BRISTOL AND DISTRICT • 19 April OTHER EVENTS • University of Southampton Marketing Group SECTION Science and the Assembly • Contact Russell Minns Magic, Folk Medicine and Retired Members Lunch +44 (0)2380 593897 Designed to foster close relations Modern Drug Discovery with the National Assembly Social event for both Retired and [email protected] and the Welsh Government, In this lecture, David Witty, Non-Retired Members Science and the Assembly is Convergence Pharmaceuticals, will • 19 May Annual General Meeting be giving his personal perspective organised by the RSC, on behalf • The Mill Pub, Froome The AGM will be preceded by on the development of pain of, and in cooperation with, the • Contact Prof Trevor Letcher a short reception and will be killers from folk medicines in the Welsh science and engineering +44 (0)1761 232311 followed by a section meeting age of alchemy, through to the community. The theme will be [email protected] • 10 May first scientific drug discoveries of Planetary and Space Science. • University of Southampton effective analgesics, and onto the • 24 May • Contact John Dyke medicines of today. The lecture MID-SOUTHERN • Senedd and the Pierhead, +44 (0)2380 593590 will also describe the challenges Cardiff Bay COUNTIES SECTION [email protected] in designing translational studies • Contact Leigh Jeffes, RSC Public Social Evening Affairs Adviser – Wales & Northern for pain and the obstacles faced in Spring Lunch bringing a new class of drugs The evening will feature a talk by Ireland The cost of the three course to the market. Mike Rumsey from the Natural +44 (0)7860 803724 lunch is £26 per head for • 9 May History Museum, London, on [email protected] RSC members and their partners. • The Royal Society of Chemistry, ‘New materials from nature – the Non-members are welcome to Burlington House, London science behind discovery’. Mike is attend at £32 per head. • Contact Julian Perfect currently the Collections Manager, • 14 May [email protected] Minerals and Meteorites and Senior • The Three Lions Restaurant, Curator. Stuckton Joint Pharmaceutical • 13 April • Contact Ian Anderson Analysis Group • University of Southampton, [email protected] Sterility assurance best National Oceanography Centre practice for aseptically (NOC) manufactured products • Contact Phil Warwick The purpose of the meeting is +44 (0)2380 592780 to deliver a best practice forum [email protected] WALES of like-minded professionals engaged in the manufacture of Award Winners SOUTH EAST WALES aseptic pharmaceutical products. Mini-Symposium SECTION JPAG have assembled a strong A mini-symposium to celebrate line-up of opinion leaders and two RSC Award winners. RSC’s 2015 Prize Winners’ experts from the UK regulator, the Prof Lyndon Emsley, Ecole Lecture Tour MHRA, industry and the NHS in Polytechnique Fédérale de Lecture by the RSC’s ‘Organic the field of aseptic manufacture Lausanne. RSC Bourke Award – for Industrial Chemistry Award’ 2015 and microbiological monitoring the development of experimental winner; Dr Debra Wallace, MSD. and testing to provide an excellent methods that have transformed Prize citation for Dr Wallace’s opportunity for networking and the field of solid-state NMR and contributions to the design and bench marking for delegates. enabled new applications across implementation of green, efficient, The meeting will also play host chemistry and Prof. Mihail Barboiu, safe and cost effective synthetic to equipment providers to show Institut Européen des Membranes routes to drug candidates. No the current state of the art in – CNRS. Surfaces & Interface registration necessary.

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 21 NOTICES

Finding the perfect wedding chemistry Committee sharing role in Matthew Clough and Fleur Nonis decided to celebrate tying the knot in the historic Northern Ireland Section surroundings of our London home at Burlington House. They were kind enough to The two latest RSC members of the Northern Ireland allow RSC News to use some of their stunning images, and to tell us a bit about why Local Section Committee are husband and wife, Drs they were so keen to weave chemistry into their special day. Kevin and Noleen Morgan, who live in Belfast with their Matthew explains that both he and his father are Royal Society of Chemistry two young daughters. members – Matthew became a member during his chemistry PhD studies at To enable them to participate in the committee and , following his father, who has been a member for more to combine their busy careers with childminding than 30 years. duties and local section matters, the NI Local Section “The chemical sciences have been a central interest to our family for many years,” Committee readily agreed to a committee sharing says Matthew. “My parents met as chemistry students in the 1970s, I completed role for both of them. Kevin and Noleen will attend my doctorate in chemistry at Imperial College London, and my wife Fleur is a alternate meetings. medical student in Heidelberg, Germany. Over the years we have been consistently Kevin comments: “The opportunity to committee- impressed with the Royal Society of Chemistry, and so Burlington House seemed like a unique and personalised option for our wedding reception!” share on the RSC Northern Ireland Local Section is wonderful, as it allows us to juggle the commitments Matthew had attended a number of conferences and seminars at Burlington of work and parenthood and still be able to participate House, including an event on chemistry and the First World War, hosted by the RSC in our local section.” Historical Group, and his father has even presented his research in the Library. © ROYAL OF CHEMISTRY SOCIETY Fleur and Matthew had their marriage ceremony at St Helen’s Church Bishopsgate, in East-Central London, the church that he had attended for three years during his doctoral studies in London. Exactly 100 people made the short trip from Bishopsgate to the Burlington House reception, and In addition to many people from the UK, around a third of the guests had travelled from Germany, where Fleur and Matthew both live and work. Fleur’s family had travelled all the way from Malaysia, her country of birth, with several other guests making the trip from France, the USA and Japan. Matthew concludes: “We were astonished by the quality of food and service on our wedding day! Csaba and his catering team offered us the flexibility to design our own bespoke menu of delicious food choices in advance. “The chemistry-themed canapés were particularly well-received, and several guests commented that it had been the best wedding food they had ever eaten! The hospitality manager, Gary, ensured seamless operation of the reception from beginning to end. We found all the staff at Burlington House to be extremely kind, professional and helpful in every circumstance.”

You are cordially invited… We would like to invite you to join us for our Summer Party at this year’s Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, Burlington House, London on Thursday 21 July 2016, 7.30pm–10.00pm. Our summer party is an opportunity to celebrate the work and the 175th anniversary of the Royal Society of Chemistry and offers the ideal opportunity to meet up with members, friends, industrialists, politicians and distinguished scientists, while viewing the largest exhibition of contemporary art in the world. Entertainment and a selection of food and drinks will be provided throughout the evening. Look out for the registration form on the back page of next month’s RSC News or register online to purchase your tickets.

Royal Society of Chemistry

Summer Party at the Royal Academy of Arts IMAGES ©RUTH ATKINSON PHOTOGRAPHY/RUTHATKINSONPHOTOGRAPHY.COM ATKINSON ©RUTH IMAGES

22 RSC NEWS APRIL 2016 NOTICES / DEATHS

Chemistry and water solutions at From rationing to obesity ACS Spring conference Professor Mike Gibney from the Food Standards Our President, Professor Dominic Tildesley, spoke at a press conference to mark Agency of Ireland took a rapt audience in the Somme the launch of the report Water: Challenges and Solutions in Changing World at the Museum through the history and science of food ACS Spring meeting in San Diego last month. The report is the output from the 2015 nutrition from World War One until the present day. Chemical Sciences in Society Symposium (CS3), a joint initiative between the RSC In doing so he demolished many of the myths of and the chemical societies of China, Germany, Japan and the USA with support popular dieting trends and the failure of Governments from our respective funding bodies that brings together researchers from all five in promoting the health of nations. Almost 70 people nations to discuss the role of the chemical sciences in global challenges. attended the lecture, which was was part of the 2nd Northern Ireland Science Festival and sponsored by the Dominic used this opportunity to talk about the importance of international Royal Society of Chemistry and the Institute of Food collaboration in solving global challenges and the role of the CS3 partnership in this. Science and Technology. The report examines future research opportunities for chemistry in this area, across the themes of health, environment, detection, treatment and recovery of materials. Back row: Professor Paul Stevenson, Dr David Look out for the full report at www.rsc.org/water McCleery. Sitting: Dr Trudy McMurray, Professor Mike Gibney and Dr Dermot Hanna. © ROYAL OF CHEMISTRY SOCIETY PACCON2016 The Chemical Society of Thailand recently celebrated 100 years of chemistry in Thailand at the PACCON2016 event (Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference 2016), marking a century since the establishment of Chulalongkorn University, whose department of chemistry proudly hosted the event, under the patronage of Professor Dr Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn. The event not only covered pure and applied chemistry but also chemical education. Professor Richard G Compton, University of Oxford, spoke on ‘Electrochemistry at the Nanoscale’. Bob Worley FRSC was invited by Professor Supawan Tantayanon to deliver a workshop featuring the microscale chemistry which he has developed along with Dr Kay Stephenson FRSC at CLEAPSS and to deliver a talk titled ‘In a Little, You Can See A Lot’. As a result of the visit, Professor Tantayanon announced that many of the ideas along with her stand-alone organic set will be presented to teachers all over Thailand and, to encourage the initiative, Dow Chemical Company have provided support for teachers to attend events.

Deaths

Mrs Beryl Mary Alvarez MRSC Dr William Charles Geddes Dr Keshav Gangadhar Marathe Professor William N White Retired information manager, CChem MRSC Retired self- MRSC Retired. Date of death MRSC Emeritus Professor, Bush Boake Allen Ltd. Died employed polymer consultant. not supplied University of Vermont. Date of 27 January 2016, aged 82 Died 6 February 2016, Professor Heinrich Noth death not supplied Dr Batchu Chandrasekhar FRSC aged 77 HonFRSC Bayerische Akademie Dr Frederick Walter Wilburn Technical advisor, research and Dr James Nelson Gibson Der Wissenschaften. Died CChem FRSC Retired. Died development. Died 30 April 2015, CChem MRSC Retired technical 26 June 2015, aged 87 7 December 2015, aged 90 aged 54 co-ordinator, BP Oil. Died Dr Geoffrey Russell Philpot Mr John Richard Wilkinson Dr Peter Henry Clapham CChem 31 January 2016, aged 83 CChem MRSC Retired principal CChem MRSC Died 11 January MRSC Retired. Died 11 January Dr Michael James Hudson biochemist, Frenchay Hospital. 2016, aged 85 2016, aged 91 CChem FRSC Consultant. Died Died 14 December 2015, Mr Robert Whitham EurChem Dr John Salmon Davies CChem 24 January 2016, aged 75 aged 89 CChem MRSC Quality assurance FRSC Retired university senior Mr Trefor Vaughan Jones Mr John Podmore CChem manager, Smith & Nephew lecturer. Died 22 January 2016, CChem MRSC Retired forensic MRSC Retired technical Medical Ltd. Died 9 July 2015, aged 75 specialist, Royal Canadian manager. Died 31 January 2016, aged 57 Mr Leslie Dewhirst CChem FRSC Mounted Police. Died 14 January aged 83 2016, aged 83 Retired. Died 16 January 2016, Mr Peter Harold Sharp aged 93 Dr David Henry Kerridge CChem MRSC Retired deputy Emeritus Professor Daniel CChem FRSC Died 24 January headmaster, Gravesend To inform us of the death Douglas Eley OBE CChem 2016, aged 84 Grammar School. Died 31 of an RSC member or to FRSC* University of Nottingham. Dr Norman Anthony Lund January 2016, aged 86 submit an obituary, please contact our membership Died 3 September 2015, CChem MRSC Retired self- Dr Frank Leonard Turner team on 01223 432141 or aged 100 employed food technology CChem FRSC Retired Chatham [email protected]. Mr William Michael Finch FRSC consultant. Died 19 December House Grammar School. *See www.rsc.li/obituaries Morgan Finch & Partners Ltd. 2015, aged 92 Died 18 January 2016, for obituaries. Date of death not supplied aged 89

APRIL 2016 RSC NEWS 23 Advance your career in science with professional recognition that showcases your experience, expertise and dedication

Stand out from the crowd Prove your commitment to attaining excellence in your field Gain the recognition you deserve Achieve a professional qualification that inspires confidence and trust Unlock your career potential Apply for our professional registers (RSci, RSciTech) or chartered status (CChem, CSci) Apply now http://rsc.li/professional-development

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