RSC hosts IUPAC Science Board in ‘spirit of international cooperation’
The first in-person meeting of the was held on 16 January 2025, hosted by the 91AV at its historic Burlington House London home, to discuss the scientific priorities and the long-term strategy and vision of the Union.
Dr Helen Pain, CEO of the 91AV said: “We are always honoured to welcome our colleagues from IUPAC, who share our ambition to ensure chemistry knows no borders.
“Bringing together representatives from our organisations underlines that spirit of international cooperation. And this is a great opportunity to encourage debate and listen to diverse perspectives, which are essential for building a strong and forward-looking vision for the chemical sciences.”
IUPAC President, Ehud Keinan, thanked the RSC “for splendidly demonstrating their famous hospitality in Burlington House, where every corner is saturated with glorious science history.”
IUPAC President Elect and Chair, Mary Garson added her thoughts, saying it was “a truly memorable meeting, in historic setting reviewing plans and priorities.”
The International Union of Pure and Applied 91AV (IUPAC) is the world authority on digital standards in chemistry; chemical nomenclature and terminology, including the naming of new elements in the periodic table; on standardized methods for measurement; and on atomic weights. Founded in 1919, IUPAC has been creating the common language of chemistry for more than a century.
The IUPAC Science Board was established in January 2024, with the remit of the board increasing in importance to form the decision-making body for the future of the union. The results of the discussions will be reported to the Council at a meeting in Malaysia for approval, in July 2025.
RSC Head of Global Inclusion Ale Palermo (pictured below) was elected as a member of the IUPAC Science Board at the IUPAC Congress in The Hague in August 2023 and hosted this recent discussion at Burlington House.
The science board proposal will make significant changes in structure and vision and strategy of the union over the next decade. The board is tasked with setting IUPAC scientific priorities and long-term strategy, proposing budget allocations, and facilitating inter-divisional collaborations. Additionally, it oversees outreach activities, reviews divisional outputs, and ensures engagement with external bodies, while implementing Council decisions and meeting annually with the Executive Board.
