Bristol and District

The Bristol & District Local Section of the Royal Society of Chemistry is one of the larger local sections of the RSC both in area and in membership with around 1500 members. The Local Section covers all ‘BS’ postcodes (Bristol and surrounds), ‘BA’ postcodes (Bath and surrounds), ‘GL’ postcodes (Gloucester and surrounds), all bar one of the ‘SN’ postcodes (Swindon and surrounds) and 12 out of the 19 ‘TA’ postcodes (Taunton districts). The section is proud to represent and support our members from the West Country.

The Bristol & District Local Section area incorporates six universities – University of Bristol, University of the West of England, University of Bath, Bath Spa University, University of Gloucestershire, the Royal Agricultural University, Hartpury University and Norland University.

There is also provision for GNVQ and vocational courses at many local colleges. The Committee aims to have an active liaison with secondary and primary schools across the area both directly and through the Local Education Authorities. The Bristol and District Local Section is proud to support the outreach work of Bristol Chem Labs and Explorer Dome who operate across the region’s schools.

Key Industrial sectors for the region are:

• Aerospace;

• ICT;

• Chemicals and Chemicals manufacture;

• Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals;

• Environment and renewable energy;

• Water and Water Treatment;

• Creative Industries;

• Advanced Engineering;

• Food & Drink;

• Micro & Nano Technologies;

• Marine.

A skilled workforce has grown to serve the world-leading aerospace companies based in and around Bristol. Involved in ground-breaking feats of science and engineering, such as the development of Concorde and more recently the A380, the world’s biggest passenger jet – these days thousands of people are employed by the giants of the industry, and the many companies which supply them.

Avonmouth is home to chemical manufacturing plants and north of the Avonmouth Docks is the gas-fired Seabank Power Station.

First, Brunel’s Great Western Railway and then the M4 Corridor connected Bristol and the region directly to the capital. In recent years, the high-tech Silicon Corridor has developed along this artery – with over fifty innovative micro-electronics and silicon design companies based there, and new ones starting up all the time. Knowledge and innovation bursting out of the region’s universities has fuelled the growth of the digital technology sector – and attracted international companies that manufacture and carry out cutting-edge research. The region is home to the largest concentration of silicon designers outside California’s Silicon Valley.

The digital age is bringing together the talents of creative technologists and creative artists, and Bristol has become a hub for creative media companies, including Aardman and the BBC’s Natural History Unit, both world leaders in their field.

The South West has its sights set on playing a leading role in the new green economy. It is home to some important environmental organisations, including the Environment Agency and the Soil Association. And in universities, major companies and newly created start-ups alike, innovative scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs are intent on developing new solutions to respond to the global challenge of climate change – and creating new jobs and businesses for the region. So everywhere you look across the region today you begin to see the future story of Bristol and the South West.

Swindon has major car manufacturing plants and pharmaceutical companies.

Bristol & District Local Section aims to support its members within its boundaries and to make the general public aware of the importance of the chemical sciences through a number of initiatives: 

• Organising networking events and social occasions during the year for all members;

• Providing support to all members resident in the area through an active network of Chemists’ Community Fund Volunteers;

• Running symposia and lectures in collaboration with the local Universities and Industry;

• Support an active school’s liaison programme including offering grants for school chemistry clubs and for enhanced equipment in support of the chemical sciences, organising school lectures, participation in the ‘Top of the Bench’ competition, ‘Spectroscopy in a Suitcase’ and assisting with ‘Chemistry at Work’ events;

• Promoting equality and diversity in the Chemical Sciences.

If you are interested in holding a school’s lecture, an evening lecture, participating in an event, acting as a Chemists' Community Fund Volunteer or contributing in any other way to the Local Section and the RSC please contact our Secretary, David Lee.

Videos of previous events

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Forthcoming events

Forthcoming events organised by the Bristol and District Local Section.

Support for Local Sections

Useful information and resources for all RSC Local Sections.