Diversity, Access and Inclusivity Best Practice
The Royal Society of Chemistry Environmental Chemistry Group
June 2021
June 2021
The Environmental Chemistry Group is a voluntary member-led interest group of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Our focus is the promotion of interests and expertise of members across all areas of environmental chemistry, including water, soil and atmospheric, natural, anthropogenic, biogenic or geochemical territories, and between peoples of all demographics, including all ethnicities, cultures, genders, sexualities, geographies, abilities, and career stages.
We are dedicated to supporting and increasing inclusion, access and diversity in environmental chemistry. We believe that for the chemical sciences to prosper, they must attract, develop and retain a diverse range of talented people.
This statement and the following strategy are based upon those of the Royal Society of Chemistry: https://www.rsc.org/globalassets/22-new-perspectives/talent/inclusion-and-diversity/strategy/rsc-inclusion-diversity-strategy-2025.pdf
The ECG Approach
The remit of the Environmental Chemistry Group involves the organisation and delivery of scientific meetings, outreach, and the publication of scientific texts in our biannual Bulletin. We offer bursaries and support for some events, such as supporting access for early career researchers and retired members. We also represent expertise on committees and recognise the achievements of those in the field of environmental chemistry, such as by the award of our annual Distinguished Guest Lecture medal. As such, our efforts are directed towards:
v18_co_member-networks-conference_inclusive-event_a5_4pp_web.pdf (rsc.org)
This statement and the following strategy are based upon those of the Royal Society of Chemistry: https://www.rsc.org/globalassets/22-new-perspectives/talent/inclusion-and-diversity/strategy/rsc-inclusion-diversity-strategy-2025.pdf
The ECG Approach
The remit of the Environmental Chemistry Group involves the organisation and delivery of scientific meetings, outreach, and the publication of scientific texts in our biannual Bulletin. We offer bursaries and support for some events, such as supporting access for early career researchers and retired members. We also represent expertise on committees and recognise the achievements of those in the field of environmental chemistry, such as by the award of our annual Distinguished Guest Lecture medal. As such, our efforts are directed towards:
- Promoting inclusive language, such as avoidance of ableist terms, and sensitivity towards use of pronouns
- Working from a diverse committee of individuals and backgrounds
- Creating events and publishing works that showcase and support a diverse community of speakers and authors
v18_co_member-networks-conference_inclusive-event_a5_4pp_web.pdf (rsc.org)
Update: November 2021
In November 2021, the RSC Networks team ran a diversity forum to update members on changes that had been made following the previous consultation, and how these changes would affect committees and members.
In particular, committee member election was touched upon: previously, this had moved from committee to member selected, via email vote. However, committees had complained this narrowed rather than broadened their diversity, including subject expertise diversity, because members were inclined to vote for "people like me". The new recommendations were to include an overview of the existing committee and outline of the expertise gaps (you will have noticed this appearing already on ECG calls for new committee members). The Networks team are also offering to proofread call outs and responses for "buzzwords" that make applicants stand out and, in particular, their absence, especially from overseas applicants, who may promote themselves differently. Voting now takes place through anonymised individualised links that can only be used once.
The Networks team are still keen to encourage hybrid events that mix virtual and physical meeting attendance. The hurdle of learning how to use hardware, and which hardware, remains on the agenda. The purchase of such kit for committee use now needs to be recorded as a committee asset, a new initiative detailed in this handbook: https://rsc.li/member-networks-handbook
In November 2021, the RSC Networks team ran a diversity forum to update members on changes that had been made following the previous consultation, and how these changes would affect committees and members.
In particular, committee member election was touched upon: previously, this had moved from committee to member selected, via email vote. However, committees had complained this narrowed rather than broadened their diversity, including subject expertise diversity, because members were inclined to vote for "people like me". The new recommendations were to include an overview of the existing committee and outline of the expertise gaps (you will have noticed this appearing already on ECG calls for new committee members). The Networks team are also offering to proofread call outs and responses for "buzzwords" that make applicants stand out and, in particular, their absence, especially from overseas applicants, who may promote themselves differently. Voting now takes place through anonymised individualised links that can only be used once.
The Networks team are still keen to encourage hybrid events that mix virtual and physical meeting attendance. The hurdle of learning how to use hardware, and which hardware, remains on the agenda. The purchase of such kit for committee use now needs to be recorded as a committee asset, a new initiative detailed in this handbook: https://rsc.li/member-networks-handbook
A PDF of our Diversity, Access and Inclusivity Best Practice statement can be downloaded here.
