Policy Reports and Responses
The RSC has a well established and widespread policy programme which is constantly growing and moving forward to keep you informed and up to date on current scientific and education issues.
See the complete list of RSC policy documents and reports by date, use the links if you're interested in a specific area, or check out our brand new 'Science Writing for Policy and Political Engagement' course.
Science Writing for Policy and Political Engagement
The RSC has put together a short document for anyone interested in science policy explaining when scientists can get involved in the policymaking process, and how to communicate wh...
Complete List
A list of RSC policy documents and reports relevant to the Human Health roadmap area
A list of RSC policy documents and reports relevant to the Resource Efficiency roadmap area
A list of RSC policy documents and reports relevant to the Sustainable Energy roadmap area
Environment Health & Safety Committee
RSC focus for professional and policy aspects of the environment, health and safety
Policy, reports and consultations on innovation, technology and small companies
Find out how the RSC seeks to influence education policy within the UK as the professional body for chemistry and as part of SCORE.
Projects looking at the representation of women and ethnic groups in chemistry
2013
Chemistry skills for drug discovery
11 April 2013
An RSC position paper describing the changes that have taken place in the drug discovery sector and the challenges this presents
Water Quality
08 February 2013
RSC Response to the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee inquiry into Water Quality
2012
PACN Roundtable Discussion on Increasing Africa's Agricultural Productivity
28 November 2012
A summary of a discussion meeting held in Addis Ababa on how best to implement the recommendations of the report Increasing Africa's Agricultural Productivity
Shaping a UK Agri-Tech Strategy
22 November 2012
RSC Response to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills Consultation on Shaping a UK Agri-Tech Strategy
Securing Soils for Sustainable Agriculture
02 October 2012
This report examines the current state of UK soil science and makes recommendations on how to ensure science supports future soil management.
Increasing Africa's Agricultural Productivity
18 September 2012
This report summarises the conclusions and recommendations emerging from the '1st PACN Congress on Agricultural Productivity' in 2011
Chemistry in Nuclear Research and Development
12 September 2012
The RSC's position statement upon the importance of chemistry in research and development for nuclear energy and waste management
EPSRC Centres of Doctoral Training
30 August 2012
RSC position upon the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council's Centres of Doctoral Training
Options for developing a 'roadmap' of energy research, skills and training needs
01 July 2012
RSC submission to the consultation by Research Councils UK Energy Programme Fellowship team
Policy Options for the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's waters
06 June 2012
RSC Response to the EC Consultation on policy options for the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe's waters
Higher Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics subjects
10 May 2012
The RSC response to the House of Lords Science & Technology Select Committee's Inquiry into Higher Education in STEM subjects
RSC Response to the RCUK Capital Investment Roadmap Consultation
04 May 2012
The Royal Society of Chemistry responds to the RCUK consultation on their Capital Investment Roadmap.
Northern Ireland Programme for Government 2011-2015
24 February 2012
RSC Response to the Northern Ireland Executive's Consultation on their Programme for Government 2011-2015
Solar Fuels and Artificial Photosynthesis: Science and innovation to change our future energy options
The RSC releases the UK's first report on solar fuels and their potential environmental and economic benefits to the UK
2011
Science and International Development
16 December 2011
RSC response to the Science and Technology Select Committee Inquiry into Science and International Development
Role and Function of departmental Chief Scientific Advisors
20 November 2011
RSC Response to House of Lord's Inquiry into Role and Function of departmental Chief Scientific Advisors
EPSRC Shaping Capability
17 October 2011
RSC Response to EPSRC Shaping Capability Programme stressing the importance of working closely with the chemistry community to maintain excellence
RSC submission to STFC Consultation on Advisory Panels
14 October 2011
RSC Submission to STFC consultation on Advisory Panels
Consultation on Lifting Barriers to Women in STEM: A Strategy for Scotland
20 September 2011
A response to the Royal Society of Edinburgh's Consultation on lifting barriers to women working in STEM careers.
RSC Initiatives Improve access to Professional Careers in the Chemical Sciences
21 July 2011
RSC respond to letter from Alan Milburn on RSC initiatives that improve access to professional careers in the chemical sciences
Healthcare Innovation in the UK
21 June 2011
An RSC position statement on the current state of the pharmaceutical industry and recommendations for the future of the sector
European Commission Green Paper
20 May 2011
RSC response to the EC Green Paper on a Common Strategic Framework for Future EU Research and Innovation Funding
Wealth Not Waste: Green Science and Engineering for Sustainable growth in Africa
05 May 2011 - This unique report summarises the conclusions and recommendations emerging from the PACN Green Chemistry Conference in 2010
Nuclear Research and Development Capabilities
28 April 2011
RSC Response to the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee Inquiry into Nuclear Research and Development Capabilities
Mapping the Future: Physics and Chemistry Postdoctoral Researchers' Experiences and Career Intentions
12 April 2011
A joint report from the IOP and the RSC surveying the different experiences and career intentions of postdoctoral researchers in physics and chemistry
Peer Review
10 March 2011
RSC response to the Science and Technology Select Committee Inquiry into Peer Review
RSC response to the House of Commons inquiry into the closure of the Forensic Science Service
14 February 2011
RSC response to the House of Commons inquiry into the closure of the Forensic Science Service
RSC comment on the preliminary proposals for the review of the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations 1990
RSC comments on the preliminary proposals for the review of the Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations 1990
2010
RSC response to the Select Committees Enquiry on strategically important metals
22 December 2010
The importance of recycling and reducing dependence on important metals
EU Framework Programme
24 December 2010
RSC response to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills Consultation into the EU Framework Programme
Code of Practise for Scientific Advisory Committees
10 December 2010
RSC response to the Government Chief Scientific Adviser's consultation on the Code of Practice for Scientific Advisory Committees (COPSAC)
Technology Innovation Centres
02 December 2010
RSC response to the Science and Technology Select Committee Inquiry into Technology Innovation Centres
Comprehensive Spending Review
05 October 2010
RSC submission to the 2010 Comprehensive Spending Review, calling for the government to make investing in the science base a high priority
The Economic Benefits of Chemistry Research to the UK
28 September 2010
One in every five pounds in the UK economy is dependent on developments in chemistry research. Industries reliant on chemistry contributed an astonishing £258 billion to the UK ec...
Evaluation of the ScotCHEM research pooling exercise
24 September 2010
RSC response to the Scottish Funding Council's (SFC) evaluation of the ScotCHEM research pooling exercise
Scientific Advice and Evidence in Emergencies
14 September 2010
RSC response to the Science and Technology Select Committee's inquiry into Scientific Advice and Evidence in Emergencies
Consultation on the £1 billion Regional Growth Fund
06 September 2010
A response to the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills' consultation on the Regional Growth Fund.
The Importance of Long Term Investment in Fundamental Research
10 July 2010
An RSC position statement on the importance of long term investment in fundamental research
The Finances of Chemistry and Physics Departments in UK Universities
24 June 2010
A follow-up study commissioned by the RSC and IOP to assess the impact of funding changes
Meeting the Low Carbon Skills Challenge
23 June 2010
RSC response to the Department of Energy and Climate Changes (DECC) consultation equipping people with the skills to take advantage of opportunities in the low carbon economy.
Supporting the future discovery of new medicines in the UK
21 May 2010
An RSC position statement on the current state of the pharmaceutical industry and recommendations for the future of the sector
Scotland's Higher activity Radioactive Waste Policy
09 April 2010
Response to consultation on the detailed statement of policy for Scotland's Higer Activity Radioactive Waste
Africa's Water Quality - A Chemical Science Perspective
22 March 2010
This unique report summarises the conclusions and recommendations emerging from the PACN's 'Sustainable Water Conference 2009'
The Impact of Spending Cuts on Science and Scientific Research
23 February 2010
The RSC welcomes the opportunity to comment on the Science and Technology Committee inquiry into the impact of spending cuts on science and technology research.
Disclosure of Climate Data from the Climatic Research Unit
10 February 2010
Response to Science and Technology Committee enquiry on "The disclosure of climate data from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia"
Guidelines on Scientific Analysis in Policy Making
09 February 2010
Response to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) consultation by the Government Chief Scientific Adviser
Commons Science and Technology Committee Inquiry into Bioengineering
25 January 2010
The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) welcomed the opportunity to present its views in response to the Commons Science and Technology Committee's inquiry into Bioengineering.
Policy Document Archive
Policy Documents from 2009
Policy Documents from 2008
Policy Documents from 2007
Policy Documents from 2006
Policy Documents from 2005
Policy Documents from 2004
Policy Documents from 2003
Policy Documents from 2002
Policy Documents from 2000
Policy Documents from 1999
