8 What’s new at EuChemS

8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU April 2022, Brussels News Updates

EYCN holds 17th Delegate Assembly

On 26 March, the European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) held its 17th delegate assembly.  More than 30 delegates were attending this online event.

The assembly began with a speech by EuChemS president Floris Rutjes, who addressed recent and ongoing EuChemS activities, emphasising EuChemS policy initiatives.

After the EuChemS president’s speech, EYCN board members introduced and discussed numerous EYCN undertakings and priorities, such as the recent diversity webinar, the importance of establishing and maintaining international scientific collaboration, as well as the EYCN Podcast and “Chemistry Rediscovered” video competition. In addition, the current roles and responsibilities of the Membership Team, the recent updates of the Chemistry across Europe interactive map on the EYCN webpage and communications and engagements updates were also reviewed. Following these presentations, the EYCN’s planned events for the upcoming 8th EuChemS Chemistry Congress in Lisbon were presented.

The EYCN’s official mascot Prof. ChemChicken also attended the delegate assembly, which ended by the delegates expressing their hope to meet in person soon.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU April 2022, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS expands its science policy advisory activities

The European Chemical Society (EuChemS) was selected to be a member of the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform. The platform assembles high profile stakeholders from various policy backgrounds, including health, agriculture, research and innovation, transport, digitalisation, and the environment. This collaboration aims to help the EU achieve its zero pollution ambition. EuChemS will focus on the contributions chemical sciences can make towards this goal. The next meeting of the platform is expected to be held on 25 April.

By participating in the Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform, EuChemS expanded its science policy advisory activities further. Currently, EuChemS is participating in two policy advisory groups – the aforementioned Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform and in the High Level Roundtable on the Implementation of the Chemicals Strategy.

The latter is an advisory group, set up by the DG Environment in order to realise, implement, and monitor the goals of the Chemical Strategy for Sustainability, and contribute to the green transition. To assist in doing so, EuChemS has set up an internal group of experts, and created and maintains a dedicated webpage on their website to promote the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability and keep stakeholders and wider public up to date.

EuChems have made the information on its policy activities more accessible by creating a user-friendly webpage, where all its advisory initiatives can be found.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU March 2022, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS supports an open and inclusive European Research Area

The European Chemical Society (EuChemS) signed the online campaign Stick to Science. This initiative, supported by so far more than 4,000 signatories – including scientific organisations, is a call for a barrier-free collaboration in Europe among researchers.

The signatories of the Stick to Science initiative urge the European Commission and relevant stakeholders to find an agreement to integrate Switzerland and the United Kingdom to Horizon Europe, the 7-year funding programme for research and innovation of the European Union. The programme has progressed since its launch in January 2021 without the participation of the two countries.

Read the complete EuChemS’ news.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU March 2022, Brussels News Updates

GWB events, a success story: 130+ participants to the EuChemS webinar on Women in Science

The ‘leaky pipeline’, not only a problem of terminology

The first event of the year for the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) has been its Global Women’s Breakfast, on Wednesday 16 February 2022. For this key event, EuChemS invited Lutgarde Buydens (Radboud University), Jovana V. Milić (University of Fribourg), and Lesley Yellowlees (University of Edinburgh) to address the necessity to have more women in senior positions in STEM. Amongst other topics, the speakers discussed the importance of leadership and mentorship programmes to support women’s careers in science, they presented some of the gender bias in academia and commented on current data available in this regard. This event was also an opportunity to debate on possible solutions to address the senior leadership issue in STEM.

This interactive webinar, which was chaired and moderated by Pilar Goya, EuChemS Vice-President, was yet another success: more than 130 participants from 27 different countries joined to network and debate on the topics addressed during this event. The feedback of these discussions will be carefully considered by the EuChemS Task Group on Inclusion and Diversity, for follow up actions.

Floris Rutjes, EuChemS President, welcomed the participants and reaffirmed EuChemS’ engagement to promote inclusion and diversity in the chemical sciences.

The GWB, a global meeting in support of diversity

The Global Women’s Breakfast (GWB) is an initiative launched in 2019 by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). The aim is to invite science organisations worldwide to set up breakfasts in celebration of the accomplishments of women in science and to inspire younger generations to pursue STEM careers. The Global Breakfast events took place each year since, in conjunction with the United Nations Day of Women and Girls in Science, which is celebrated on 11 February. This year, more than 400 breakfasts were organised in 75 countries.

Next year’s Global Women’s Breakfast is scheduled to happen on Tuesday 14 February 2023 – save the date, EuChemS will be there.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU March 2022, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS releases a statement on the invasion of Ukraine

On 24 March, Russia declared war on Ukraine. The effects of the invasion were felt in many areas – and the scientific community is no exception. Among the sanctions aimed at Russia, the EU has decided to sever scientific ties as a way to use science as a diplomatic, ‘soft power’ tool against Moscow. One of the measures involves cutting payment to Russian participants in the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe research programmes. In addition, numerous higher education institutions severed their official ties with their counterparts in Russia.

The Executive Board of the European Chemical Society has released a statement condemning the invasion of Ukraine and expressing solidarity with Ukrainians. As an international society, EuChemS firmly believes in peaceful, global scientific cooperation, and calls upon leaders of Europe and the world to halt violence.

You can read the full statement here.

A LinkedIn group has been created to share job vacancies, educational opportunities, or any other initiatives for Ukrainians among members of the European chemistry community. The goal of this group is to support students and researchers working in the chemical sciences from Ukraine, and to maintain international scientific cooperation.

If you, or your network has any opportunities for Ukrainian scientists, we invite you to join the group.

Alongside EuChemS, numerous other scientific organisations condemned the unprovoked attack, including The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), whom, amongst many others, released statements on the issue. In addition, 168 Nobel laureates also signed an open letter expressing their support for Ukraine.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU February 2022, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS joins the call for setting up a global panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution

On 26 January 2022, the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) supported the science and policy call for setting up a global panel on chemicals, waste, and pollution at the Burlington Consensus event, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

Floris Rutjes, EuChemS President, and Nineta Hrastelj, EuChemS Secretary General, participated remotely to this event and addressed several topics, including the need to establish an independent, inclusive, and global platform.

More information about the Burlington Consensus is available on the EuChemS website.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU February 2022, Brussels News Updates

A summary of the many EuChemS 2021 activities

We are pleased to announce that the 2021 Yearbook is now available for download on the EuChemS website!

The 2021 Yearbook is EuChemS annual report which looks back at the activities and achievements carried out by the European Chemical Society and its Professional Networks over the year. The Yearbook explores from every angle the relevant and impactful initiatives and actions of EuChemS in 2021 in policy areas, meetings, events, as well as awards and other science communication accomplishments. This publication was coordinated by the EuChemS Secretariat team. Floris Rutjes, EuChemS President, offers in his editorial an overview of the activities of the year, highlights the many successful collaborations that ensued and gives insights on the direction to follow for the months ahead.

We invite you to read and download the EuChemS Yearbook 2021 here.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU February 2022, Brussels News Updates

GWB2022: the final stretch

The EuChemS @ #GWB2022 webinar will take place on Wednesday 16 February 2022 (10:00 am CET) and the organising team behind this event prepared a highly interactive webinar. Attendees will be invited to get actively involved in converstion with our speakers on topics related to the leaky pipeline. Furthermore, we will provide an opportunity for the attendees to network among themselves and to share their views on the necessity to have women in senior positions in STEM with our speakers.

It is not too late to register! We are looking forward ‘meeting’ you there.

More information about the programme and the speakers is available here.

 

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU January 2022, Brussels News Updates

Welcome on board! – 2022 renewed EuChemS Executive Board

In 2022, Nicola Armaroli, Cristiana Radulescu and Slavica Ražić started their mandate as elected members of the EuChemS Executive Board, following elections during the 2021 EuChemS General Assembly, held online on 21 October 2021.

EuChemS continues to look forward to the many upcoming activities contributing to the progression of the chemical sciences in Europe kicked off by the renewed Executive Board. We reiterate our thanks to the former Executive Board members whose mandates ended on 31 December 2021, namely Kenneth Ruud and Livia Simon Sarkadi.

Discover more about the role of the EuChemS Executive Board and its members here.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU January 2022, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS signatory of the manifesto on ‘R&I for the Future of Europe’

The European Chemical Society (EuChemS) signed the Manifesto on ‘Research and Innovation for the Future of Europe’, supporting the goals and objectives of this initiative by promoting research and innovation within the Conference on the Future of Europe (CoFoE), and beyond.

This manifesto, released in November 2021, intends to call on the CoFoE to discuss and deepen research and innovation issues over the months to come, to place R&I at the core of the debate on the EU’s future challenges and priorities.

As a reminder, the CoFoE was launched in spring 2021 and is expected to reach its conclusions in the first half of 2022.

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 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU January 2022, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS @ #GWB 2022

On the occasion of the Global Women’s Breakfast 2022 #GWB2022, an IUPAC initiative, the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) is pleased to invite you to join its own online breakfast on Wednesday 16 February 2021, from 10:00 to 11:30 CET.

Our distinguished speakers, Professor Dr. Lutgarde Buydens, Professor Lesley Yellowlees, and Dr. Jovana V. Milić, will address the necessity to have women in senior positions in STEM. The webinar will be chaired by Pilar Goya, EuChemS Vice-President and Chair of the EuChemS Task Group on Inclusion and Diversity – initiator of this breakfast.

You are invited to send questions for the speakers and share your ideas on this topic in advance of the event. Get in touch with us!

We kindly invite you to register for the event ➡️ HERE

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 1 European Highlights, 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU November 2021, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS Awards nomination process explained in 7 minutes!

EuChemS organised on 9 November an online Information Session on its Awards. The event was opened by Floris Rutjes, EuChemS President. During this webinar, the nomination procedures and selection process for each EuChemS Award were presented by Laura Jousset and Anna Robinson, while chairs of respective Selection Committees provided the attendees with tips and advice and answered their questions.

Nineta Hrastelj, EuChemS Secretary General, who moderated this Information Session, invited the participants to contact the Secretariat at awards@euchems.eu, should they have any questions.

Currently, four calls for the EuChemS Awards are open until 31 December 2021 (18:00 CET). Short videos summarising the procedures for these awards are available on the EuChemS YouTube Channel. These videos were shown during this online Information Session and each last up to 7 minutes.

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 1 European Highlights, 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU November 2021, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS discussing green and sustainable chemistry

Various chemistry events focusing on sustainability were organised this month. As an important contributor to this topic, the European Chemical Society took part in the discussion on green and sustainable chemistry by participating in two major events: the first “Global Sustainable Chemistry Week” and the “6th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference”.

1st Global Sustainable Chemistry Week

On 12 November, Nineta Hrastelj, EuChemS Secretary General, joined a panel discussion on the EU Chemicals Strategy on Sustainability during the first “Global Sustainable Chemistry Week” – organised by the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3).

Nineta Hrastelj addressed four major points from the EU Chemicals Strategy on Sustainability: the challenges towards its harmonised implementation across the EU, the importance of strengthening science-policy discussion, also at the regional level, the need for the EU’s strategic independence, and the crucial role of education. She concluded her presentation on the opportunities offered by the EU Chemicals Strategy on Sustainability, including how it can enable EU citizens to better understand the role of science in their everyday life.

6th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference

On 16 November, Floris Rutjes, EuChemS President, gave an opening address at the 6th Green & Sustainable Chemistry Conference organised by Elsevier.

During his talk, he presented the main activities that EuChemS is involved in relating to green and sustainable chemistry, which include:

  • EuChemS joining the European Commission’s High Level Roundtable on the implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability;
  • the many EuChemS replies to the European Commission public consultations related to sustainable chemistry;
  • the recent updates made to the EuChemS Periodic Table.

In addition, he discussed the role Chemistry plays in the UN 17 SDGs.

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 1 European Highlights, 8 What's new at EuChemS, BNU November 2021, Brussels News Updates

The new colour of Carbon in the EuChemS Periodic Table

On 3 November, the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) released an updated version of its iconic Periodic Table, first produced for the International Year of the Periodic Table in 2019 (IYPT19).

Conceived as a living document, to be periodically updated in the light of technological, societal, and geopolitical developments – which may affect the availability or status of specific elements – this unique periodic table highlights the availability and vulnerability of elements to raise society’s awareness of the limited mineral resources of our planet.

In view of the conclusions drawn during the successful Workshop, The Carbon Element – key towards a sustainable society, and after considerable scientific discussion, the colour of carbon in the EuChemS Periodic Table has been changed from green to partially green, red, and grey, denoting plentiful supply, a serious threat in the next 100 years, and elements from conflict minerals respectively.

This multi-colour coding of the carbon element reflects its distinctive position at the crossroads of a very large natural cycle and a very large anthropogenic usage with considerable geo-strategic stakes – as a major component of oil, carbon was and is connected to several armed conflict worldwide.

By updating the colour of the carbon element in its Periodic Table, EuChemS wants to address issues surrounding this specific element, such as the carbon cycle, fossil fuel reserves, recycling, and the need for a transition in the energy sector.

Read more about it here.

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