Peninsula local section committee

Who we are?

Peninsula local section committee works to promote chemistry across Devon, Cornwall the Channel Islands, and South Somerset and supports chemical scientists in the region of all ages. The committee has representation from early career scientists, experienced secondary and higher education educators, industrial scientists, and retired members. This reflects the broad spectrum of science we have in the region, and we aim to provide all with public outreach, events for students and networking opportunities, as well as bringing together the retired scientists in the region. Some examples of our activities can be seen below. More than anything the local section is here to support YOU, the chemical scientists of the region and we are always keen to engage and support our members in any way we can.

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Activity highlights

Top of the bench

The RSC runs the top-of-the-bench competition annually, and we take great pleasure in organising and funding the regional stage of the competition in partnership with the University of Plymouth. The competition is designed to be accessible and a great opportunity to get students excited about science.

Sidmouth Science Festival

Every year, the Peninsula local section committee holds a stall at the Sidmouth Science Festival, exciting and educating the public about science. In 2023, we had huge success engaging the public with the RSC’s “take charge” experiment, with people making working lemon batteries in a handful of minutes.  

Plymouth Pizza and careers events

In both 2022 and 2023, the Peninsula local section has organised a networking event targeted at early career scientists in partnership with the University of Plymouth. This event has brought employers from throughout the region together to show what careers are available, in addition to providing an opportunity for early career scientists to expand their professional network. Talks, Drinks, Pizza, and good company never fail to make this an enjoyable event.

Retired members lunches

At least once a year, we organise a lunch social for the retired RSC members in the region. This is always an enjoyable event and a great opportunity to catch up with other scientists in the region over some good food. Keep an eye out for 2024 dates.

Exeter home education network

The Peninsula local section committee is currently working with the Exeter home education group to compose a primary science curriculum for the home education community and to source and fund the resources needed to ensure that these students have just as an enriching experience as they would in mainstream education.

In addition to events run and organised by the local section committee, we also have a whole range of other activities going on in the area thanks to the efforts of the wonderful community. Just a few examples are the PRISM (Pride & Representation in STEMM Matters) Exeter network (funded by the RSC inclusion and diversity fund) and the RSC lecture series at the University of Plymouth, for which the local section has provided travel grants.

If you are thinking of running an event or have something you would like to work with the committee on, then please do get in touch. We have a wealth of expertise in various areas and have funding available purely for the use of the Peninsula community.

We are particularly keen to fund events which promote:

• outreach activities
• activities during Chemistry Week, which is in early November
• sustainability and circular economy activities

If you are experiencing personal hardship and looking for support, contact the Chemists' Community Fund For impartial and confidential help:

Contact Chemists' Community Fund

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Quick links

Forthcoming events

Forthcoming events organised by the Peninsula Local Section.

Support for Local Sections

Useful information and resources for all RSC Local Sections.

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