A new government and a new school year, the RSC's Director of Science and Education takes stock and explains what can you expect from the RSC in the future
Society faces demanding challenges, both economically and in terms of addressing major issues associated with health, energy supply, food supply, water quality and supply, and the stewardship of scarce natural resources. Those of us connected with the chemical sciences are in a unique position to address these challenges. A Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) report to be published later in the year shows that those industries that are underpinned by chemistry research contribute approximately 20 per cent of the UK's GDP, some £250 billion. Additionally, chemistry is a creative subject, manufacturing new materials that are tailored to meet a particular application, whether that's as a new medicine or as a more efficient means of capturing and storing energy.
However, for chemistry to continue to invent, innovate, and contribute to the economic and material well-being of society, we need to continue to excite and attract a new generation of students to the chemical sciences. That's only going to happen if young people are guided by talented, knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers, so it's vital that we support and encourage those entering the profession and also those already in the profession including those for whom chemistry is not their specialist subject.
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