RSC elections 2025: Nominations now open

There are also vacancies on our Subject Community Councils, which also offer a chance to focus on a specific section of the chemistry world.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm (UK time) on Friday, 7 February but what are you waiting for?! Get those names in now!

What positions are available?

Trustees

Four successful candidates will join our Board of Trustees as elected Trustees and will serve a four-year term, starting after July’s AGM. Those elected to these roles will work with the RSC President and other Trustees to shape the direction of the entire RSC and play a key role in the advancement of the chemical sciences.

The Nominations Committee is keen to receive nominations for members with digital skills, financial skills, and/or experience in fundraising and surplus diversification.

Member Communities Board member

One elected member will take on the responsibility of shaping the culture and the day-to-day activities of those within the chemical sciences community. Their three-year term will start immediately after the July AGM and will see them developing strategies for subject communities, interest groups, local sections and more.

Please note that this position is for someone who has been active within the area of early careers and the successful nominee must possess experience of serving on a network committee within the past five years.

Professional Standards Board member

Driving best practice within the scientific community and establishing the standards to which we hold RSC members to account will be among the successful nominee’s duties for this role. Starting in July and lasting three years, this role will also see the electee advise the Board of Trustees on strategic developments in professional and employment practice.

Inclusion and Diversity Committee members

Two elected members will help to improve the inclusion and diversity of the chemical sciences by looking for ways to broaden the appeal and accessibility of the field. Both individuals will serve in the roles for three years, starting in July 2025.

Subject community vacancies

Subject community councils provide leadership to specific sections of the chemical sciences community. These councils, made up of a President and several elected members, and are crucial to developing and implementing activities for their subject communities.

Each subject community President serves as subject community President Elect for one year, starting in July. After that year finishes, they take over as President for a three-year term until July 2029. This is then followed by a brief stint as Immediate Past President, typically four months. Council members take office in July 2025 for a three-year term. 

Presidents and council members come from a range of backgrounds and career stages, so this is a great opportunity to assume a leadership position, regardless of where you are in your career.

There are plenty of opportunities to step up and become a subject community President or a subject community council member:

Analytical Science

There are vacancies for community President and two elected members of the community council.

Chemistry Biology Interface

There are vacancies for community President and two elected members of the community council.

Dalton

There are vacancies for two elected members of the community council.

Education

There are vacancies for community President and one elected member of the community council.

Environment, Sustainability and Energy

There are vacancies for President and two elected members of the community council.

Faraday Community for Physical Chemistry

There are vacancies for two elected members of the community council.

Materials Chemistry

There are vacancies for two elected members of the community council.

Organic Chemistry

There are vacancies for two elected members of the community council.

The nomination process

Any member can make nominations for any vacancy. We welcome nominations from across the chemical sciences community for these posts as we seek to ensure the RSC is as representative as possible. Whatever your career background, geographical location, age, gender or ethnicity, you can help us better understand the needs of our members.

There are two ways of submitting a nomination:

1. Self-nomination

Any member, regardless of membership category, can nominate themselves for one vacancy. This does not prevent a self-nominating member from being nominated for another vacant position by either the Nominations Committee, any other RSC Board, Committee, or another member.

2. Proposer nomination

Any member, regardless of membership category, may propose candidates for nomination. All nominations are required to be accompanied by the names of two RSC members willing to second the nomination. This shall form part of the candidate’s application.

Nominees will be asked to declare that they are willing to make the necessary commitments if elected.

To be eligible to nominate and vote in subject community elections, you must be subscribed to the subject community concerned. To subscribe to particular subject communities, you can update your membership record through the online members’ area; by calling +44 (0)1223 432141; or by emailing membership@rsc.org

The Nominations Committee will confirm the candidate’s willingness to be nominated for the role of Trustees, as well as any of the positions on the Members Communities Board, Professional Standards Board, Inclusion and Diversity Committee and Subject Community Presidents. The committee will also evaluate all valid nominations to produce a shortlist of candidates who meet the requirements of the role descriptor and can demonstrate the necessary skills and experience to fulfil the role. Successful candidates will then be put forward for election.

For elected members of the subject community councils, the Nominations Committee will establish that each nomination is valid, confirm each member’s willingness to serve if elected, and put them forward for election.

The RSC has partnered with Mi-Voice, a leading electoral service provider, to set up a secure online nominations website. Please use this link to find further information on our vacancies, including role descriptors and details of how and where members can submit nomination(s).

Further information

General information on RSC governance can be found on our dedicated webpage.

If you have any queries regarding the nominations process, please contact Hilary Beckett, Governance Co-ordinator, via tel: +44 (0)207 440 3341 or email: becketth@rsc.org, and she will be more than happy to help.