If you’re new to outreach and interested in engaging with different audiences about chemistry, taking those first steps can sometimes be a bit daunting. We’ve come up with some top tips and resources to help get you started.
Chemistry Week 2021
1 - 12 November 2021
Chemistry Week is an annual celebration of the chemical sciences. This year, to coincide with the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) being held in Glasgow on 1-12 November 2021, the RSC are extending the annual Chemistry Week to last for the full 12 days of the Conference. The exact theme of Chemistry Week activity will be announced later in 2021, however, you can be sure that it will celebrate and reflect the ground breaking discussions on climate change that will be taking place in Glasgow in November.
As usual, we will want to support you with any activities and events you may have planned for Chemistry Week, from inspiring the next generation to celebrating the diversity of chemistry within our community. More information regarding Chemistry Week grants will follow later in 2021.
If you have any questions regarding Chemistry Week please contact us using the details on the left.
Standing up for Science
Are you in the early stages of your career and interested in learning about how you can communicate with the public and policymakers about your work?
The RSC are sponsoring the Standing up for Science workshop programme for 2021 to help you make your voice heard in public debates about science. There are at least 4 free workshops taking place throughout 2021; see below for upcoming dates and how to apply.
Future Workshops
Currently there are no workshops open for application, however, there will be more opportunities later in 2021.
| Workshop Date | Location | Application Dates |
| Mid-September 2021 | Scotland* | Mid-July - Late August |
| 1st December 2021 | London* | Late September - Early November |
*Locations are still to be confirmed. If government guidelines do not allow for physical meetings, these sessions will take place online.
Further information will be published closer to the time. You can also keep up to date with these opportunities by signing up to the Voice of Young Science network.
National Chemical Landmarks
The Chemical Landmarks Scheme is a public engagement initiative raising awareness of sites where individuals, teams and collaborations within the chemistry community have made a significant contribution to health, wealth or quality of life. Find out more about the scheme.
If you’re new to outreach and interested in engaging with different audiences about chemistry, taking those first steps can sometimes be a bit daunting. We’ve come up with some top tips and resources to help get you started.
Start a conversation…
Whether you are based in industry, academia or education it always helps to talk to someone who has done this before. We have a regional network of Education Coordinators that can offer advice and are just a click or a phone call away.
Alternatively, many organisations also have people and departments that can help. Teams that you may already be familiar with include Knowledge Transfer, Marketing and Communication, Volunteering, Widening participation and public engagement.
Join an existing network or scheme
Many online mailing lists and forums exist to encourage people to discuss and share public engagement experiences. Psci-Com and Big-Chat are active mailing lists that offer the opportunity to share best practice, promote upcoming events and discuss science communication topics of the moment.
The NCCPE Public Engagement Network is dedicated to those based in higher education and provides support for both staff and students to develop their public engagement work.
Start small and give it a go
The biggest hurdle to trying something new is often just finding the right way to get started, so the key to success is sometimes to start small. We have lots of opportunities for everyone to get involved, both face-to-face and online.
Other ways to get started include:
- Writing a science blog
- Volunteering in a local science centre
- Participating in a science festival
Our Local Sections organise and participate in a huge variety of activities aimed at both school and public audiences and may have opportunities to get involved. Get in touch with the Local Section chair for your area to find out more.
Activities
Part of the excitement and fun of engaging different audiences with the chemical science is the reaction of the audience to hands-on activities and demonstrations. If you’re stuck for ideas visit our outreach collection on Learn Chemistry. Here you can find anything from kitchen chemistry to the latest global experiment.
Organise your own event
If you’ve participated in a few activities you may be ready to have a go at organising an event yourself.
Before you start, these are the questions that you should ask yourself:
- What are the aims of your activity? Why are you doing it?
- Who is your audience? Why should they care?
- What are you planning to do?
- How will you evaluate it? How will you know it was a success?
If you think you know the answer then a good place to start to find more information is Plan it on the NCCPE website.
Outreach engagement
- Tel:
- + 44 (0) 1223 438392 or + 44 (0) 1223 432209
- Email:
- Send us an email