Whether you are new to outreach, or an experienced practitioner, the RSC is here to support you to engage different audiences with the chemical sciences. On this page you can find out more about how to get involved including:
Chemistry Week 2023 - Celebrating Chemistry Throughout November
5 - 11 November 2023
Chemistry Week is an annual celebration of the chemical sciences. For 2023, Chemistry Week will be taking place 5 – 11 November but we invite you to celebrate the chemical sciences throughout the whole month of November within the theme of “Chemistry making the world a better place”.
The impact of chemistry is incredible, it has led to positive outcomes and developments for the individual up to global society. Chemistry supports development across all aspects of society, including health, climate and the environment, wealth and industry, sustainability, well-being, education, justice, equality, nutrition, and alleviation of poverty. Within the chemical sciences there is a rich and diverse community of groups and individuals who, driven by dedication and professionalism, work to make the world a better place.
The RSC will be concentrating celebrations during Chemistry Week itself, but we invite you to organise activities at any time in November to celebrate the myriad of ways that chemistry has, and continues, to make the world a better place, themes could include (but are not limited to):
- Clean air/water
- Clean energies
- Sustainability
- Climate and environment
- Careers in chemistry
Share with us how you will be celebrating Chemistry Week in November – tag the Royal Society of Chemistry on social media and use the hashtag #chemistryweek
As usual, we want to support you with outreach and public engagement activities that you want to plan for Chemistry Week in November 2023. We want to help you to inspire the next generation, reach new audiences outside of the chemical science community and celebrate the diversity of chemistry and people within our community.
Financial Support
To support your activity, you can apply for:
- Up to £500 via the Chemistry Week 2023 Grant Scheme
- Deadlines: 7 August, 4 September, 2 October
- Up to £10, 000 via the RSC Outreach Fund
- Deadline: 4 September
Get some ideas
Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. Take a look at some of the links below:
- Read about the projects the RSC funded for Chemistry Week 2022
- Take a look at projects that have been funded through the RSC Outreach Fund
- Look at the resources in our Outreach Resources Hub
- Explore the diverse careers in chemistry that contribute to our society
- Read about the latest news from the chemical sciences to see how chemistry is improving our world right now
Public Engagement Workshops and Training
The RSC has launched a public engagement workshop series: Diverse Engagement for Diverse Publics.
The aim of the series is to inform best practices, share ideas, and build a community for those who are interested in public engagement with science.
Chemistry Crossing Borders
We are excited to announce 'Chemistry Crossing Borders', a collaboration between Native Scientists and Royal Society of Chemistry.
This programme will enable chemical scientists from migrant backgrounds to engage their communities with science in their heritage languages, celebrating our diverse scientific community and all those who contribute to it. We are particularly keen to support refugee and asylum-seeking communities.
The scientists will receive training and support so they can carry out science outreach workshops in their heritage languages. If you're a chemical scientist from a migrant background in the UK or Ireland and would like to get involved, please find more information here.
Upcoming workshops
Previous workshops
Recordings of previous public engagement and outreach workshops are available to access by all current RSC members through the members' area, all you need to do is follow the link below and log in with your membership number and password. See below for details on previous workshops.
Watch previous workshop videos hereStanding up for Science
Are you in the early stages of your career and interested in learning about how you can communicate with the public, media and policymakers about your work?
We are excited to support the Standing up for Science workshop programme for 2023 to help you make your voice heard in public debates about science.
Visit the Standing up for Science webpage to learn more about upcoming workshops.
Keep up to date with Voice of Young Science news by signing up to the Voice of Young Science network.
Opportunities in outreach and public engagement
We know from our Chemistry for All research that it is vital to have a diverse range of passionate role models to support inspiring and enthusing the next generation as well as spreading the word about the pivotal role chemistry plays in solving global problems. The RSC provide a number of ways to get involved, current opportunities include:
RSC Outreach Fund
Our Outreach Fund provides financial support to members, non-members, individuals and organisations in order to enable them to run chemistry-based public and schools engagement activities. Visit the page here to find out more and to see if you are eligible to apply for funding.
STEM Ambassador Programme
Would you like to make a difference to young people, your community and education in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)? STEM Ambassadors make an impact by supporting learning, illuminating careers and raising aspirations. For more information and to sign up, visit the STEM Ambassador website here.
I’m a Scientist – get me into schools
Share your passion for chemistry with school students using I'm a Scientist - an online, student-led STEM enrichment activity that connects school students with scientists through real-time text-based messaging. By applying to be one of the scientists, you'll help to inspire the next generation of chemical scientists as well as developing your online communication skills. For more information and to sign up visit the I'm a scientist website.
“A Scientist Just Like Me” Primary School Resource
Would you like to help raise awareness of diversity in science-based careers for primary aged children? The Primary Science Teaching Trust are designing a new resource comprising of a set of short, illustrated slideshows of a particular scientist or person working in a science-related job. Find out how to take part. Remember to mention you are an RSC member if you get involved.
Volunteer as a Chemistry Tutor with The Access Project
The Access Project is looking for volunteers to support disadvantaged young people aged 14-18, via an easy-to-use dedicated online platform. By volunteering you will help to inspire, motivate and raise aspirations towards further education and the world of work. Visit the Access Project website for more information and to sign up, and don't forget to quote RSC.
Regional RSC Activity
There may be activity taking place in your local area that you could become involved with. To find out if there is anything going on near you, contact your Local Section or Education Coordinator.
Activity Inspiration
The list of activity that can be carried out to engage audiences with the chemical sciences is endless! Whilst this is exciting and allows much room for creativity, it can also be overwhelming, so here are a few resources you can look at as a starting point:
- Teach Chemistry – in our outreach collection, you will find a wide range of activities you can do from chemistry in your shopping basket to chemistry of sunscreens.
- A Future in Chemistry – if you are looking to talk about careers in chemistry, our Future in Chemistry resources are an excellent place to start.
- Case studies - details of previous schools and public engagement outreach projects can be found on the Outreach Fund pages, feel free to use these as inspiration and to help guide your thoughts.
- Sustainability - to link in with the 2021-22 RSC focus on sustainability, there is a wealth of information available on a dedicated webpage to help inspire and support related activity.
- Schools Engagement – if you are looking specifically at engaging with schools, take a look at our Education website for resources.
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 here.
Not sure where to start?
If you are still not sure where to go from here, don’t worry! Get in touch with us using the details on this page, we would be happy to hear from you and help support you however we can.
Outreach engagement
- Tel:
- + 44 (0) 1223 432200 or + 44 (0) 1223 438371
- Email:
- Send us an email