ICorr is a member of the Science Council, which means we can offer you the opportunity to become a Chartered Scientist (CSci). In this article, they explain what they do and what 2025 has in store.

The Science Council was established by Royal Charter just over 20 years ago and registered as a charity in 2009. Its official purpose is ‘to promote the advancement and dissemination of knowledge of 
and education in science, pure and applied.’

It does that by being a membership organisation for professional bodies and learnt societies across the breadth of science and by providing professional registration. This interdisciplinary community of over 30 organisations is mutually supportive and can amplify the achievements and concerns of the scientific disciplines where there is common interest.

The Science Council holds four professional registers: Registered Science Technician (RSciTech), Registered Scientist (RSci), Chartered Scientists (CSci) and Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach).

In order to join a register, you need to be a member of ICorr or another of its Licensed Members, hold a relevant qualification or demonstrate equivalent achievement, meet the standards of competence for the relevant register, and agree to follow the code of conduct and undertake continuing professional development (CPD).

They help potential Registrants by holding a free online Introduction to Professional Registration workshop every month. Last year they also introduced Application Sprint: A Masterclass in Professional Registration. This intensive one-day workshop supports you to prepare a first draft of your competence report, the main part of your application. Dates for this year will be announced soon.

The Science Council is run by a small but effective team, led and supported by chief executive Professor Della Freeth. Della took up the role in August 2023, bringing significant experience of education, training and leadership developed in secondary school teaching, several senior roles in universities and the Royal College of Physicians.

Over the past 18 months, Della has worked with the team to make sure the Science Council is focused on bringing its members together and supporting its current and future Registrants. Key work has included making sure professional registration is accessible, continuing the technical education project in partnership with the Gatsby Foundation, and championing equity, diversity and inclusion through its Progression Framework in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Last year, Della worked with Science Council Members, staff and the Board of Trustees to develop the organisation’s strategy for 2025-2028. It will be published in spring this year, but Della was happy to give us a taste of what is to come.

“We are excited about working with our Members, Registrants and partners on the next stage of our journey,” she said. “We always start with our vision and purpose, as they remind us why we are here in the first place. We aim for a diverse and growing science profession that is trusted, respected, innovative and equipped to meet regional, national and global challenges. And our role in that is to connect the science professions and offer professional recognition for scientists, science technicians and science teachers.

“Over the next three years, we will focus on delivering our core business as effectively as possible. We’ll keep reviewing our standards to make sure they inspire current and future Registrants. We’ll bring our members together, amplifying their achievements and views in areas of common interest. We’ll work to increase the number and diversity of Registrants and volunteers, and to enhance their sense of belonging to our community.

“We’re also going to develop relationships with more employers, supporting them to invest in and support their staff. We’ll make sure our work on apprenticeships, T Levels and other technical qualifications is embedded in what we do for the long term. And we’re going to make sure that our website and other elements of our digital architecture are fit for purpose.”

Interested? 

Read more information about professional registration with the Science Council and applying via ICorr or visit the Science Council website:

www.sciencecouncil.org

Photo: An example of the Science Council website homepage.