We are the world’s leading chemistry community and our mission is to advance excellence in the chemical sciences.
This has been the case since 1841 when 77 scientists – including doctors, academics, manufacturers and entrepreneurs – formed the Chemical Society of London, with dialysis inventor Thomas Graham as their first president.
Seven years later Queen Victoria granted a Royal Charter to the Society, confirming its purpose of the general advancement of Chemical Science
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After 175 years our mission is just as relevant and valid, but we pursue it on a scale those initial 77 members would find inconceivable. We now have over 54,000 members across the world, an internationally-renowned and award-winning not-for-profit knowledge business, and a reputation as an influential champion for the chemical sciences.
Our global community now spans hundreds of thousands of scientists, librarians, teachers, students, pupils and people who love chemistry.
Our core strengths
To most effectively and efficiently achieve our mission of advancing excellence in the chemical sciences, we will bring together chemical scientists and help them to share their knowledge and ideas – we will connect the world with the chemical sciences.
From the first Chemical Society meeting in 1841 to the present day, we have used our three core strengths to advance excellence in the chemical sciences:
- our reputation as a globally-trusted provider and interpreter of top-quality, accessible chemical science knowledge
- our deep understanding of the needs and solutions for developing skills in the chemical sciences at all levels; and
- our ability to create, facilitate and grow the chemical sciences community
These core strengths reflect our strategic priorities as an organisation – how we can best use our talents and resources to achieve our mission: by connecting people with the chemical sciences through knowledge, skills and community.
Our strategic objectives
Knowledge
To make the best chemical science knowledge accessible to all those who need it.
We are one of the world’s leading sources of reliable chemical science knowledge. Our global chemistry community contains the expertise of hundreds of thousands of people, and we have over 170 years’ worth of top-quality chemical science research publications, data and conference reports stored in a cutting-edge online platform.
Our goal is to connect people with chemical science knowledge by harnessing all of our information and expertise and making it easily accessible. This will:
- provide trusted and reliable basis for strategic decision-making and scientific developments and education
- inform policy
- provide the basis for technological and sustainable solutions to societal challenges of global importance.
Skills
To secure a strong, diverse and sustainable supply of chemical scientists at all levels.
We have a comprehensive understanding of the skills and talents needed for the chemical sciences to prosper for the benefit of humanity. Our members, partners and wider community amplify our authority and reach.
We have a wealth of expertise across many disciplines, in schools, industry, universities and beyond, and a clear vision for how to ensure everyone has access to a relevant, engaging and inspiring chemistry education.
Our goal is to connect people with the right learning, training and continued professional development to secure the chemical science talent pipeline. This will:
- promote a scientifically-literate population
- push forward boundaries of science
- provide support for developing GDP and economic advancement
- promote professionalism within the chemical sciences.
Community
To bring together and empower our global chemistry community for the benefit of science and humanity.
Our over 50,000 strong core membership brings together hundreds of groups of diverse yet like-minded people covering practically everything chemistry-related – whether it’s polymer science, patent law or pyrotechnics. Through conferences, meetings and online networks, our community welcomes anyone who wants to engage with chemistry at any level.
Our goal is to grow and support our community to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of the chemical sciences. This will:
- build on our influence and credibility with the wider chemical science community
- support our outreach activities
- connect individuals through networking activities
- support the diversity agenda
- put chemistry at the heart of scientific endeavour.