The newsletter includes a number of interesting and highly relevant contributions, news, and upcoming events, such as an editorial by Robert Parker, RSC CEO and Member of the Executive Board on the recent EuChemS Chemistry Congress in Liverpool; an analysis on Open Education; input from the European Young Chemists’ Network and the Professional Networks; as well as news concerning the new Periodic Table we published, and a summary of the online course on Good Chemistry.
Launch of the 2019 International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT2019)
29 January 2018
Paris, France
Website: https://bit.ly/2DJkkSC
6th International Conference on the Chemistry and Physics of the Transactinide Elements (TAN 19)
25 – 30 August 2019
Wilhelmshaven, Germany
Website: https://bit.ly/2POpQcl
The European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) has launched the second edition of its video competition Chemistry Rediscovered, this time putting the International Year of the Periodic Table at its heart. All chemists between the ages of 12 and 35 years are invited to send in videos on the theme “In Your Element”. More information available online: https://www.euchems.eu/divisions/european-young-chemists-network/chemistry-rediscovered/
Each year, the major achievements of one junior scientist working in chemistry in a country with a EuChemS Member Organisation will be rewarded. The call for nominations for this award is now open and submissions must be made online here. The winner will receive a statuette and the opportunity to give a lecture at the next European Chemistry Congress (ECC) or at a conference of an EuChemS Professional Network (PN).
Deadline: 31 December 2018
All EuChemS Member Organisations, Divisions/Working Parties and individuals are invited to submit nominations for the 2019 EuChemS Award for Service. This award acknowledges outstanding commitment with regard to fostering chemistry and molecular sciences in Europe and the goals of EuChemS. In addition to recognised service to EuChemS, this may include activities in governmental, non-governmental or funding organisations, publicity-related activities, etc. Nominations must demonstrate achievements for improved competitiveness, visibility, coherence or structure of chemistry in Europe. Nominations are now open and must be submitted here.
The Royal Society of Chemistry recently published an extensive report which explores the barriers to women’s retention and progression in the chemical sciences, along with a series of recommendations to tackle the issue. Whilst change is happening, if it continues at the current rate, “a simple statistical analysis of the data tells us that we will never reach gender parity”. Whilst 44% of undergraduate students are women, this drops down to 39% for PhD students, dropping down to 29% for non-professional staff, and down again, to the very appalling figure of 9% of women Professors. Together with evidence of inequality, are “reports of bullying, discrimination and harassment”. You can read the full report here.
The European Commission recently published a call for feedback on setting a legal limit for industrial trans fats in foods, Draft Regulation – Ares (2018)5103401.
EuChemS welcomes and supports the European Commission’s draft text (regulation amending Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council). EuChemS agrees that the limit for industrial trans fats in foods, which are intended for the final consumer should not exceed 2 grams per 100 grams of fat. Further reductions in the future should in turn be encouraged. Indeed, it was pointed out that the 2% limit can still be considered too high when applied to products consumed in large quantities.
A number of important votes took place in the European Parliament end of October.
First up, Members of the European Parliament voted on banning a range of single-use plastics such as plastic cutlery, straws, cotton buds, and balloon sticks amongst others. The move which is hoped to go into effect across the European Union by 2021 is part of the growing concern over the quantities of plastic ending up in oceans around the world. MEPs also set a target for the collection and proper recycling of 90% of plastic bottles by 2025. With more than 150,000 tonnes of plastic ending up in European waters every year, and with the time for some products to biodegrade reaching over 500 years, ambitious and decisive actions are needed. MEPs also tackled the issue of antimicrobial resistance following a report prepared by MEP Françoise Grossetête. The new regulation on veterinary medicinal products aims to prevent “the spread of antibiotic resistance from animals to humans” comments the European Parliament, whilst ensuring that “consumers are not exposed to antibiotic residues in food products and to make sure antibiotics remain effective against infection”.
Antibiotic resistance, most often caused because of the overuse or misuse of antibiotics, is an increasingly problematic issue. Because of the far-reaching consequences this may have, EuChemS has placed its prevention within its proposed ‘Missions’ for the future research framework programme, Horizon Europe. The focus on antibiotic resistance is not new. EuChemS had in April 2016, organised a joint European Parliament STOA, and EFMC workshop on ‘Solving Antibiotic Resistance’ to analyse and discuss possible ways forward.
On 17 October, the third meeting of the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) Stakeholder Bureau took place in Brussels under the chairmanship of Bernhard Url, EFSA Executive Director. EuChemS is one of academic stakeholders, represented at the Bureau by one of the 7 category representatives, whose role is to advise EFSA on civil society’s concerns regarding food safety, health, the environment, and other issues. Included in the discussions, were the “goals and practicalities” of the upcoming Stakeholder Forum on 20 November in Brussels, as well as “EFSA’s opinion on the presence of dioxins in feed and food […]; risk perception among the general public, and EFSA’s work to inform and educate consumers on risk assessment in food safety”. EFSA has also confirmed it would reply to a letter provided by the Academia category (under which EuChemS falls) regarding the importance of maintaining independence of science.
An Open Letter has been making the rounds in reaction to ‘Plan S’, a plan put forward by European funding agencies and supported by the European Commission to accelerate the transition to full open access in scientific publishing.
The Open Letter, which has been signed so far by over 1200 researchers, including two Nobel laureates, claims that Plan S would seriously damage the state of science in Europe, risk making Europe a less desirable place to work, study, and publish, as well as violate academic freedom.
EuChemS is currently preparing a Position Paper on the matter which will aim to address the concerns with Plan S, as well as look at possible alternatives, whilst taking into account the qualms of all relevant stakeholders. Keep an eye on this space for the latest information!
Negotiations surrounding Horizon Europe are in full swing, although the likelihood of an impasse looms. There have been some proposals to address the research and innovation divide in Europe by allocating Horizon Europe funding on a geographical basis. EuChemS recognises that the research divide needs to be addressed, but existing cohesion funds, as well as increased national funding for research are what is needed. Horizon Europe’s aim should be to award the very best science, reaching the very best results, and should continue to be the main aspiration for those applying – regardless of where in Europe they are coming from.
There have also been discussions surrounding the idea of a ‘’Europe first’’ programme. However, science knows no borders, and closing off possible collaboration, exchange and participation of non-EU countries risks harming European science. In light of the still unknown outcome of the Brexit negotiations, we have called on the European institutions to make sure countries that have in the past participated in EU research framework programmes, such as Horizon 2020, can continue to do so in Horizon Europe.
On 21 November, the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy will vote on the Horizon Europe files. On 30 November, the EU Competitiveness Council, which brings together ministers responsible for research and innovation, economy, trade and industry will meet for a Council meeting to discuss Horizon Europe.
As you may already know, EuChemS has launched a unique Periodic Table which depicts the very real issue of element scarcity in light of the upcoming International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT2019) for next year. To spread the message further, we are making the Periodic Table freely available in as many languages as we can. You can now download it in: Catalan, Czech, Dutch, Estonian, French, German, Greek, Italian, Luxembourgish, Macedonian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Serbian, Slovenian, Spanish and Turkish – with more versions soon on the way.
Not sure what to do with it? We think it makes for a wonderful and educational poster to be put up in schools, labs, or even your bedroom! The Royal Dutch Society of Chemistry (KNCV) recently distributed at the Woudschoten Chemie Conferentie
EuChemS was very pleased to once more participate in the Circular Economy Missions organised by the European Commission Directorate-General for Environment. From 20-27 October 2018, the EU delegation, made up of over 50 representatives of European companies, associations, foundations, government organisations, and research centres, made their way to Japan and Indonesia. The Missions aimed at extending and deepening the dialogue on the circular economy, expanding and sharing legislation, as well as spreading best practices. EuChemS Executive Board member Nicola Armaroli was on site as representative. You can read the full debrief online here.
On 8 November, experts from the scientific community, alongside Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), came together to discuss the latest treatments for Parkinson’s disease, but also its causes, and how we are to move forward at the clinical and political level.
The discussion which took part in the European Parliament in Brussels, was chaired by Member of the European Parliament Pavel Poc, and jointly organised by the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) and the European Federation of Medicinal Chemistry (EFMC).
The aim of the workshop was to provide a kaleidoscopic overview of the latest treatments for Parkinson’s, but also to take a closer look at some of its causes. Talking about the disease, and trying to address its challenges will only grow in importance as it becomes more common in the face of an ageing population. The speakers highlighted the complexity of the disease as well as the variety of causes that can trigger its development, whether age-related, genetic predispositions, but also due to contact with potentially harmful toxins. The session also highlighted the importance of creating spaces of discussion between the scientific community and policymakers to better ensure understanding and support. EuChemS also highlighted the need for a more ambitious budget for the future research framework programme, Horizon Europe, which could very well enable important steps being taken in developing novel and more efficient treatments for Parkinson’s disease. For more details of the session, you can take a look at the presentations online.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease which is characterised by difficulty in moving and tremor, as well as psychiatric issues. It leads to a progressive reduction in the quality of life and those affected require increasing care. The physical suffering, emotional distress, and the economic burden this provokes is at risk of increasing as our populations live longer and become more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease as they age.
The Royal Society of Chemistry recently published an extensive report which explores the barriers to women’s retention and progression in the chemical sciences, along with a series of recommendations to tackle the issue. Whilst change is happening, if it continues at the current rate, “a simple statistical analysis of the data tells us that we will never reach gender parity”. Whilst 44% of undergraduate students are women, this drops down to 39% for PhD students, dropping down to 29% for non-professional staff, and down again, to the very appalling figure of 9% of women Professors. Together with evidence of inequality, are “reports of bullying, discrimination and harassment”. 
As you may already know, EuChemS has launched a 
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