Professor David Phillips

The RSC is extremely active in seeking to influence government policy. In addition to responding to consultations, the RSC is proactive in addressing issues relating to chemical science education. Reports such as Chemistry Teachers, Investigating Supply and Qualifications of School Science Teachers and Surely that’s Banned? on the myths and misconceptions surrounding practical work in schools, have provided strong fact-driven evidence of current problems. 

Our report Laboratories, Resources and Budgets on under-resourcing of school laboratories is featured in this bulletin. These reports provide strong support for RSC recommendations to government. 

Improving the sustainability of UK chemistry Higher Education has been high on the RSC agenda for some time. 

In 2004 the RSC was involved in a successful joint bid for outreach funding from HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council for England) for an Aim higher initiative, Chemistry: The Next Generation, securing almost £1 million for a two year pilot project to widen participation in the chemical sciences. At this time the RSC also began extensively lobbying Government in an attempt to halt the decline of chemistry in universities. This prompted the Secretary of State for Education and Skills to seek advice from HEFCE. HEFCE responded by commissioning the Roberts’ Review of Strategically Important and Vulnerable Subjects. Following this, HEFCE has stated that it wishes to work with certain subject communities, including chemistry, to make them more sustainable. 

In 2005 the RSC and HEFCE signed a joint statement committing the two organisations to work together. As a result of the collaboration, HEFCE has invited members of the chemical science community – including the RSC, academia, industry, Sector Skills Councils, Regional Development Agencies and schools and colleges – to bid for £20-30m of funding to support chemistry higher education. The RSC is coordinating this proposal, Chemistry for our Future, and will seek similar opportunities in other parts of the UK. 

The collaboration with HEFCE has also led to a successful bid for continuation funding for the Chemistry: The Next Generation project, to support the delivery of events and maintain the positions of the coordinators within the three pilot regions in 2007. The RSC’s policy activities span many other areas of the chemical sciences as well as education. This issue of the Policy Bulletin gives a favour of some of the other work the RSC undertakes. The editorial team welcome any comments you may have. 

Professor David Phillips, Imperial College Chair, RSC Education and Qualifications Board