Royal Society of Chemistry at CHEMUK
See the full RSC show programme below and meet with the team on stand F112
RSC Chief Executive confirmed to keynote
Join the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Chief Executive, Dr Helen Pain as she outlines the RSC’s recent activities and achievements and the society’s vision for the future of the chemical sciences.
Keynote title: Chemistry: a catalyst for change
Speaker: Dr Helen Pain MBE CSci CChem FRSC, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Chemistry
Wednesday 14.00 to 14.30
RSC Mini Conference – Skills and Pathways for a Sustainable Chemical Sciences Workforce
Wednesday 20th May, 14.30 to 16.00
As the chemical sciences evolve, so do the skills and career pathways that shape its workforce. This mini conference explores how professional development, technical and vocational routes, and the application of transferable skills are enabling chemical scientists to build resilient, future focused careers. Hear from the RSC and industry contributors on how we are broadening pathways into the profession and supporting the skills needed for a sustainable future.
Programme:
14:30–14:45 – RSC Perspective
Technical and vocational pathways for professional development
Catherine Perry RSciTech MRSC, Professional Registration Specialist, Royal Society of Chemistry
14:45–15:00 – Industry Case Study
Degree apprenticeships in the pharmaceutical industry
Christina Dumitriu Jackson, Peptide Discovery Scientist, AstraZeneca
15:00–15:15 – Industry Case Study
Transferable skills to succeed in industry: perspectives from a battery tech SME
Dr Gary Baker CChem MRSC, Anaphite Ltd
15:15–16:00 – Panel Discussion & Q&A
Skills development, future skills, and emerging workforce needs
Panel: Catherine Perry (Host; Christina Dumitriu Jackson; Dr Gary Baker; Dr Alex Reip, Advisor, Oxford nanoSystems & RSC Trustee
How can the RSC support your business?
Supporting the chemical sciences industry is a key priority for the RSC. We can work with you and your colleagues to support the professional development of your staff, enhance your reputation, and grow your business.
You can meet with the RSC Industry Engagement team at any time over the two days on stand F112.
RSC Members’ Networking Reception (RSC Members Only)
The RSC will be hosting a members reception on the RSC Networking Area at 5pm on Wednesday 20th May 2026 and are really looking forward to having the chance to chat with their members over refreshments.
RSC Members’ Careers Clinic (RSC Members Only)
The RSC will be running one-to-one careers consultations for their members at the show over the two days, providing a chance to discuss career planning and professional development opportunities.
Introducing the RSC Change Makers. Powering positive change through Deep Tech chemistry
We are delighted to announce that the RSC Change Makers team will be exhibiting on stand F104 at CHEMUK 2025. The Change Makers organisation has been setup to establish an ecosystem for deep tech chemistry, providing much needed visibility and support for ventures in the UK.
‘Shining a light on deep tech chemistry and the innovation journey’ – Mini Conference by RSC Change Makers
Wednesday 21st May, 11.30 to 13.00, Stage 5
Learn more about how the new Royal Society of Chemistry initiative, Change Makers, is bringing together ventures, mentors, advisors, impact investors, and others from across the innovation ecosystem in a joint mission to power positive change through deep tech chemistry entrepreneurship.
In this mini conference from Change Makers, hear about the technologies being developed, our ventures’ social and environmental missions, and their journeys and the support needed on the way to impact. After this showcase of innovation, get your questions about the road to impact answered by your peers and experts who have been through it before.
Then join us to hear how the RSC is convening the key actors to tackle persistent systemic challenges in deep tech chemistry entrepreneurship. Our RSC expert will share more about our first mission and how it will tackle the shortage of appropriate laboratory space for deep tech chemistry.
Session 1: How the RSC is powering positive change through deep tech chemistry entrepreneurship
What do we mean when say deep tech chemistry and how will our entrepreneurial ecosystem, Change Makers, support ventures and target the systemic challenges they face?
Session 2: Beyond the lab: how SMEs are turning deep tech chemistry into impact
Hear from four of our Change Makers ventures about the ways their ground-breaking technologies will have impact on key societal challenges, learn about their journeys so far, and hear their insights into one of the major challenges they have overcome and how they did it.
Session 3: Tackling the deep tech chemistry commercialisation journey
Turning a deep tech chemistry idea into a viable product capable of impacting key societal challenges, like treating currently incurable disease or reducing plastic waste, is plagued with unique challenges.
Join our panel of experienced entrepreneurs, mentors with a wealth of industry experience, and an investor with a track record in turning deep tech chemistry ideas into impact, and hear their insights on topics from finding investment, scaling-up, and spinning out a deep tech chemistry idea, then get the chance to ask your burning questions about the commercialisation journey.
Session 4: Converging the chemical sciences, property sector, investors, and policy to catalyse more chemistry labs for start-ups
Deep tech chemistry technologies are at risk of not reaching their full potential due to a shortage of chemistry labs across the UK. We must build a supportive landscape, make the case for chemistry labs, and build the value case for investment.
Find out more about the Unlocking Innovation (see below) report that details the challenge and our cross-sector initiative, More ChemLabs, that will bring together the chemical sciences, property development, investment, government, and advocacy to unlock lab spaces that work.
