Gender diversity quotas to be introduced for Royal Society of Chemistry events

To increase diversity and inclusivity in the chemical sciences, the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has put in place new requirements for the events it supports, beginning in 2020. The plan is to broaden the type of speakers, chairs and attendees at all RSC events to better reflect the current gender balance of the chemical science community. In future, women will have to comprise at least one-third of the speakers and chairs at RSC-sponsored events. ‘Events from organisers who fail to comply with this target will not be supported financially nor associated with the RSC brand,’ explained Jo Reynolds, the RSC’s director of science and communities.