Prizes statement

On 13 June we announced Professor Richard Layfield CSci CChem FRSC as one of our Corday-Morgan Prize winners. In the interests of transparency and clarity for all, we are setting out our position and processes.

Information about how we consider questions related to the conduct of prize nominees and winners is available in our Prizes FAQs. All matters that relate or potentially relate to our Code of Conduct are considered in the framework of our Disciplinary regulations.

Prior to our 2019 Review of Recognition Programmes, we handled questions related to conduct of prize nominees and winners on a case-by-case basis in consultation with our Trustees and in light of the nature and timing of information available to us.

The details of specific disciplinary cases are confidential. Exceptionally, in the interests of transparency and clarity, and with permission from Professor Layfield, we are on this occasion publishing details about a specific case in which he was the respondent.

Professor Layfield was selected as a winner of the Corday-Morgan Prize by our Prize Committee in March 2022. In line with our guidance to Prize Committees, this selection was based solely on the information submitted by the nominator and the selection criteria for the prize.

Following the selection of prize winners, the RSC Prizes Team shared the list of proposed 2022 prize winners with the RSC Head of Professional Standards, who is secretary to our Professional Standards Board. This Board is separate to and independent of our Prize Committee. As Professor Layfield was the subject of a complaint about his professional conduct at that point, in consultation with our Trustees, the RSC decided to put the Corday-Morgan Prize announcement on hold pending the outcome of our disciplinary process.

In September 2022, following investigation and a hearing, an RSC Disciplinary Panel dismissed the complaint against Professor Layfield.