Group News

A number of events are being set up by SCI's Regional and Technical Groups for Early Career Scientists. Keep an eye on our events calendar and make the most of support being offered to PhD students, postdocs, and those starting out in industry or academia.

We look forward to putting our 2012-14 strategy into place, with the support of our members and partners. For more information on the SCI's priority objectives, see the About Us page below.

Getting too many e-mails from us? You may belong to too many technical groups. We'd recommend you limit your choice to just a couple, and one regional group.

Please tell us what you think of SCI's services

As voted by Members at the 2011 Annual General Meeting, annual membership fees are now £90 for Standard Membership and £25 for Student Membership.

At the Board's annual planning day on 21 September 2011, we reviewed our strategic direction and rolling three-year plan, and realigned our priorities for the future.

SCI's Board of Trustees has decided that SCI should undertake a thorough review of its awards programme. During 2012, we are therefore cutting back the distribution of awards to a minimum until the review is completed.

When your Board of Trustees last met on 16 November 2011, the key priority was to agree the rolling business plan for 2012-14 and the budget to implement this.

On 17 November at SCI HQ, Professor Subhash Anand, from the University of Bolton, presented a Public Evening Lecture on Nonwoven Fabrics in Healthcare and Medical Devices, where he reminded us that 'life often hangs by a thread'.

A study published today in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture outlines a new, commercially viable method of measuring chemical compounds in cranberries, which are linked to the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Water use to grow and process biomass feedstocks for fuels has recently emerged as an important controversy. In a world where several countries already face water stress – and where over 70% of global freshwater use takes place in the agricultural sector – bioenergy development might present considerable challenges, from the perspective of water quantity as well as water quality.

Read the Members' Code of Ethics, which is available online below.

EUREKA runs the Eurostars SME Programme to co-fund R&D and innovation projects in research-intensive SMEs, which have an ambition to develop ground-breaking new products, processes and services for the world market.

The Castle Debates Series offers high-level environmental debates with leading scientific, legal and governmental speakers.

There have been a number of changes to tenancies at our London Belgrave Square headquarters recently.

Can you think of a fellow member worth their weight in gold? Nominate them to receive the Lampitt Medal or a Distinguished Service Award

Julian Perfect has kindly volunteered to take up the role of Hon Librarian. SCI will continue to seek additional volunteers to support Julian and to help us to ensure continuity.

On 17 November 2011, Prof Subhash Anand delivered an SCI Public Evening Lecture on 'Non-woven fabrics in healthcare and medical devices'

Andrew Ladds (CEO of SCI, 2005 - 2010) has resigned as an SCI trustee, effective 1 September 2011, citing the growing demands of his chemical-using business activities

Dame Sue Ion has been a prominent figure in the UK nuclear industry for decades, and is internationally recognised as an expert in nuclear fuels.

We have definitive legal advice on the subject of sending 'unsolicited direct marketing emails' and a few suggestions on how to guard against breach of the legislation are also set out below.

BS 10175 'Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites - Code of Practice' 22 June 2011 Conference Papers

Distinguished Service Awards are presented annually at the Society's AGM. The awards celebrate the hard work and goodwill of longer-serving Members of all component parts of the Society

6-12 June 2011 sees the return of the Food Group's popular 'Ask A Food Scientist': your chance to ask an expert any food-related question!

Three top UK scientists were recognised at SCI's International Honours Presentation on 12 November 2009.

'Ask a Horticultural Scientist' ran from 15-22 May 2011, and was your chance to ask your questions on professional crop production and protection and other horticultural issues via the SCI forums.

Ian Lennon, head of business development for Chiral Quest, did his PhD at Imperial College London with Prof Steven Ley

Is there a scientific basis for concern over human-induced climate change? This was the subject of the first Public Evening Lecture of 2011, entitled 'The challenge of climate change', given by Sir Brian Hoskins. A soundtrack of the lecture is now available

The College of Scholars was established to help current SCI scholars make the most of the opportunities the SCI scholarships provide

On Thursday, 3 February 2011, over 150 students from universities in Liverpool, Bangor, Manchester and other North West educational establishments came to the Chemistry Department at the University of Manchester, to attend 'Kick-start your career'

On 16 September 2010, SCI hosted a free Public Evening Lecture featuring Fred Pearce, who is currently the environment consultant of New Scientist magazine and a regular contributor to British newspapers.

Prof David Philips presented a lecture on the subject of light - from sun damage to photo-medicine as part of SCI's Public Lecture Series. The overheads can be downloaded here, and you can also listen to audio.

A profile of the newest members of SCI's governance: Dr Brian Iddon, Professor K Clive Thompson and Dr Roger Gilmour

SCI provides opportunities for some of the brightest people in the world to exchange ideas and gain new perspectives on markets, technology, and people, SCI Honorary President Dr Stephanie Burns says in a video shown at the 7 July 2010 AGM.

GM Food was the subject of the third in the SCI's series of public lectures and took place on 2 December 2010.

Dr Geoff Fowler reports

In the six months since Joanne Lyall was appointed Executive Director of SCI, she has launched a new business plan for 2011-13.

Joanne Lyall joined SCI as Executive Director on 21 June 2010

On 9 November 2010, the Membership Advisory Committee held its annual Members' Forum, chaired by Dr Geoff Fowler

SCI members are not impressed with the BBC's coverage of science and think it is neither impartial nor accurate, according to a survey carried out in September 2010.

In this period of substantial public sector cuts the Chancellor has recognised the fundamental role science will play in economic recovery.

We are all aware of dust caused by industrial processes, but are perhaps less aware of the considerable amount of airborne dust created by nature.

Despite considerable improvements over the last few decades, cancer caused by workplace exposure to hazardous substances still requires action. An SCI workshop held in May 2010 examined the work done so far and plans for the future.

Food scientists from the Food Commodities and Ingredients Group answer questions from SCI members and the general public on subjects ranging from cooking and nutrition, to vegetarianism and food safety.

Dean Francis is a trained environmental scientist and professional environmental consultant focusing on environmental monitoring and risk management. He recently became a member of SCI and participated in the Environment and Health and Safety Groups' consultation on BS 8580 Risk Assessment for Legionella as an exhibitor.

The management of contaminated land involves identifying risks arising from the presence of contaminants, in order that appropriate action can be taken before a site is developed.

Educationalist Sir David Harrison, SCI member and former chairman of the Awards Committee, talks about his perception of science in education, the media and today’s quality of teaching

REACH is an EU-led initiative to test all chemical substances imported or manufactured in quantities of over one ton in the EU by 2018.

Diane Wood started out as an SCI Member and now works for the Society providing support and customer care.

The global financial crisis has reduced access to credit, combined with a sharp decline in demand for durable goods – both of which have impacted the chemical industry.

SCI, the society established nearly 140 years ago to link science with business in the application of scientific innovation, has recognised three top UK scientists in the International Honours announced on 12 November 2009.

In July 2009, SCI entered into a broader strategic alliance with the American Chemical Society (ACS) to advance chemistry-based knowledge and address global issues of mutual interest and benefit to our members.

SCI provided very valuable resources for my career, Dr Melling tells Members News

More than 50 SCI members attended the Members’ Forum held on Wednesday 25 November 2009

SCI and its publishing partner John Wiley and Sons are launching a new range of books.

SCI’s website now features a poll on the homepage, where users can vote to express their opinions on a variety of issues.

It could be said that this waving, drowning or emerging figure represents the global chemical industry as delegates heard at the SCI Summit, since some companies are suffering badly while others are making the best they can, and others even seeing some improvement.

The Young Chemist in Industry symposium is an annual, one-day meeting, which represents a unique opportunity for younger chemists to showcase their industrial research to an external audience.

Stephanie Burns, CEO and Chairman of Dow Corning and new Honorary President of SCI, talks about her experience leading a corporation where innovation is paramount. She also discusses SCI's role in driving knowledge transference in the chemical industry, CSR initiatives and innovative ideas for the future of SCI involving community engagement and mentoring of young scientists.

Have you ever read a news story based on science that concerns you?

Sue talks about her experiences with teaching science to boys and girls, and particularly about her efforts to encourage girls into the field.

An alliance between SCI, the Society of Dyers and Colourists and the Oil and Colour Chemists’ Association will deliver reciprocal benefits to members of all three organisations

SCI is always happy to welcome new volunteers and members to the Society.

On Thursday 11 and Friday 12 September 2008, SCI ran two ‘workshop and best practice sharing’ events, open to all Treasurers, Secretaries and Chairs of Regional Interest (RIG) and Technical Interest Groups (TIG).

The main aim of SCI is to bring members together and an online forum can help us do this through the web.

The third SCI Members' Forum 2009 took place on 25 November at SCI HQ, London.

On Monday, 28 September 2009, SCI will be hosting a one-day ‘Volunteer Workshop and Best Practice’ day for the Honorary Chairmen, Secretaries and Treasurers of all its UK-based Interest Groups.

The Food Commodities and Ingredients Group is publishing the results of its 'Ask a Food Scientist' campaign to mark Food Safety Week held in June 2009

While the US is the fattest nation on earth, the UK is just ten years behind the US, and the increase in obesity is rising at almost exactly the same rate as in the US.

The World Health Organization has called obesity one of the greatest public health challenges of the 21st century.

This conference brought together scientists Ireland who have varied interests in drug discovery and development and a common interest in synthesis

Skin – target or barrier, a one day meeting, aimed to bring together scientists interested in the problems relating to the transfer of xenobiotics into and across the skin.

BS 10175: Investigation of Potentially Contaminated Sites - Code of Practice was held at SCI HQ, London on Wednesday 14 July 2010, Organised by SCI's Environment Group and Health and Safety Group.

B5 8580: Risk Assessments for Legionella Control was held at SCI HQ, London on Thursday 8 April 2010, Organised by SCI's Environment Group and Health and Safety Group. Over 120 delegates attended to give feedback on the BS 8580 which will supplement the documented returns from the public comment stage of the standardisation process.

A guided tour of an exhibition at the Wellcome Trust linking Art and Culture explored how important the heart was to ancient Egyptians, not only as a physical organ but as the centre of intellect.

Health and Safety was a career change for Carl Martin, after many years in in production and development

Winner of the IFST/SCI Young Scientist Award, Rachel Edwards-Stuart, presented her winning paper ‘Evaluation of the use of methylcelluloses for potential restaurant applications’.

The Annual North of England Young Scientists Research Competition was held at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) on Tuesday 24 March 2009.

The meeting was recommended both for chemists just beginning their careers within the pharmaceutical industry, or more experienced medicinal chemists wanting to gain a more detailed understanding of these issues

Dieters spent £47million last year on pills and diet aids; it’s no wonder that so many companies want a slice of this lucrative cake.

The environment is central to every activity of the chemical and allied industries, as well as most other major technology sectors. The Group endeavours to enhance all aspects of professional awareness on environmental matters.

Levels of oesophageal cancer in the UK are amongst the highest in Europe, with over six thousand people a year dying from the disease.

Learning lessons is hard; making predictions difficult

Prabhu Kulkarni is a current member of the Board of Trustees, and Chairman of the Health & Safety Group.

Emma Parmee will receive the 2009 SCI Gordon E Moore Medal for playing a key role in the discovery of the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor JANUVIA™ (sitagliptin), the first and only DPP-4 inhibitor approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.