In September 2023, we launched our Vision for a great science culture, which set out the behaviours and values that are essential to create a positive science culture, for the benefit of science itself and everyone taking part. 

A positive culture is essential to creating an enabling community and supporting quality science. It comprises good scientific practice, support for wellbeing and development, and maximum participation in science and innovation. It’s rigorous, ethical and responsible, safe and supportive, inclusive and accessible, and open and collaborative.  

After setting out our vision, our next step has been creating spaces for challenging conversations where everyone could have the opportunity to discuss the various barriers and tensions that can hamper the pursuit of a great science culture.

We identified five key areas for discussion, and throughout the first half of 2024 we held a series of interactive, facilitated, online panel discussions on each of these topics.

Find out more below, and catch up the sessions via our YouTube links.

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Session schedule

Past sessions

Session 1: Can a commitment to improving science culture impact your career prospects? 

Watch this session on YouTube now

4pm UK time, 14 February 2024, RSC YouTube and LinkedIn

Everyone involved in science should be active participants in establishing a positive science culture. However, all too often the commitment of time and resources to this endeavour can be seen as extra-curricular to someone’s role, rather than an integral part of it. In this session we explore the potential tensions between advancing in your career and focusing on improving aspects of science culture such as inclusion, ethics and more.

Panellists: Professor Candy Rowe, Dean of Research Culture and Strategy, Newcastle University; Dr Devin Swiner, Member, Board of Directors, National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE); Professor Vasilios Stavros, Professor of Physical Chemistry, University of Birmingham; Dr Natércia das Neves Rodrigues Lopes, Junior Researcher, Instituto Superior Técnico

Session 2: How can an academic leader also be a great manager? 

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4pm UK time, 13 March 2024, RSC YouTube and LinkedIn

Those who pursue a career in academia are normally expected to assume a management role at some point. But how well does a career in academia equip you to be a great manager who sets the scene for a great science culture? In this session we discuss management capability within academia, including the struggles and challenges of being manager, the support and training needed, and what those in academia should be able to expect of their managers.

Panellists: Professor Steve Howdle, University of Nottingham; Professor Christopher Jackson, Jacobs Engineering; Dr Dennis Sherwood, Silver Bullet; Professor Radha Boya, University of Manchester

Session 3: How do we find a work-life balance in an academic career?

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2pm UK time, 17 April 2024, RSC YouTube and LinkedIn

Personal circumstances can affect us at work in a vast range of ways. Caring responsibilities, neurodivergence and disability, mental health, and the need to balance a range of priorities in our lives all have the potential to clash with our work schedules and responsibilities. In this session we explore the different ways in which our personal situations can impact on us at work and vice versa, and explore ways to find wellbeing and balance.

Panellists: Professor Kylie Vincent, University of Oxford; Chantelle Minchin, Enable Science, Manchester Metropolitan University and Stepan Company, Dr Lizzie Driscoll, University of Birmingham

Spotlight on: Mental health

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2pm UK time, 13 May 2024, RSC YouTube and LinkedIn

A special session for Mental Health Awareness Week 2024. According to our Pay and Reward Survey, 15% of disabled RSC members have a mental health condition, with those occupying multiple marginalised identities reporting negative wellbeing in greater numbers. This session focuses on mental health and wellbeing from an intersectional standpoint. We will also discuss accessibility and inclusion for chemists with mental health conditions.

Confirmed panellists: Dr Stephen Buckley, University of York; Ollie Thomas, University of Oxford and Enable Science; Dr Hadar Elraz, Swansea University; Lara Lalemi, Creative Tuition Collective

Session 4: Do recognition practices interfere with science culture values?

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2pm UK time, 19 June 2024, RSC YouTube and LinkedIn

Recognition practices, such as prizes and awards, grants, and other forms of recognition, traditionally focus on academic achievement. In this session we talk about whether other contributions to the community - such as initiatives aimed at improving aspects of science culture - are being appropriately incentivised and recognised.

Confirmed panellists: Martin Farley, Green Labs; Joeri Tijdink, Amsterdam UMC; Simon Hettrick, Chair, Hidden REF; Dr Sylvie Rousset, Director of Open Research Data Department (DDOR), French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)

Session 5: How do we tackle the conflict between intellectual property and the drive towards open science?

Watch this session on YouTube now

2pm UK time, 17 July 2024, RSC YouTube and LinkedIn

Open access and open science have become hot topics in the worlds of research and academic publishing, with the drive towards open science enabling better collaboration, alongside greater accessibility and inclusion. But are there downsides to this, and is there a tension between making science open and protecting intellectual property? In this session we will discuss the challenges in this space, and how we might overcome them.

Panellists

Pam Hill, Senior Director, Head of Open Innovation Programme, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals

Anne-Marie Conn, European and Chartered UK Patent Attorney at Abel & Imray 

Alex Reip, Chief Technology Officer at Oxford NanoSystems  

Professor Mike Waring, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Newcastle University

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