Science Council

The Science Council is a UK organisation that was established by Royal Charter in 2003. The principal activity of The Science Council is the promotion of the advancement and dissemination of knowledge of and education in science pure and applied, for the public benefit. The Science Council is the Competent Authority with respect to the European Union directive 2005/36/EC.

Not to be confused with Council for Science and Technology.

It is a membership organisation for learned and professional bodies across science and its applications and works with them to represent this sector to government and others. Together, the member organisations represent over 350,000 scientists.

The Science Council promotes the profession of science and scientists through the Chartered Scientist (CSci),[1] Registered Scientist (RSci), Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) and Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTech) designations and the development of codes of practice; it promotes awareness of the contribution of professional scientists to science and society and advances science education and increased understanding of the benefits of science.

Chartered Science Teacher was launched in 2004. Registered Science Technician and Registered Scientist were launched in October 2011 alongside the Chartered Scientist award, to build a framework of professional standards and recognition across the science workforce.

The Science Council provides a forum for discussion and exchange of views and works to foster collaboration between member organisations and the wider science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical communities to enable inter-disciplinary contributions to science policy and the application of science.

The Science Council was founded by the late Professor Sir Gareth Roberts FRS, who served as the Council's Founding President. In February 2007, Sir Tom McKillop FRS, became the President of the Science Council and he was succeeded in June 2011 by Professor Sir Tom Blundell. Professor Sir Keith Burnett FRS became the new President in 2016.

In November 2008 the Science Council launched Future Morph,[2] a website aimed at providing children, parents, teachers and the general public with information about science and how it might help in future careers.

Purpose

The Science Council’s charitable purpose as stated in its Royal Charter is “to promote the advancement and dissemination of knowledge of and education in science, pure and applied, for the public benefit.”[3]

To fulfil this purpose, the Science Council advances professionalism in science through the professional registration of scientists and technicians who meet a high professional standard and competence and follow an established code of conduct.

The Science Council’s Royal Charter also defines its role as an umbrella organisation, providing a forum to connect members for discussion and information exchange. This supports our members in furthering their own commitment to advance science for the public’s benefit.

The Science Council provides member bodies with a forum to raise standards through sharing practice and knowledge, and to hold each other to account through a peer-review approach. A successful example of this approach is the recent Diversity, Equality and Inclusion programme of work.

Member organisations

To become a member of the Science Council your organisation must:

  • Be an independent professional body which exists for the collective pursuit of professional aims and objectives with practicing scientists in your membership
  • Have at least one membership category which is based on standards of competence (i.e. appropriate qualification and / or relevant professional practice)
  • Become a signatory to the Science Council Declaration on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
  • Have a code of conduct for your members

References
  1. "Search the Professional Registers". The Science Council.
  2. Solutions, iWeb. "Home - Future Morph". Future Morph. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
  3. "Read our Strategy 2019-2022". The Science Council.
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