The UK's Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has stated that in recent weeks, since the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) made its first announcement in connection with its Shaping Capability programme, there have been many questions raised. These centre on how decisions were reached on areas whose funding will be increased or decreased, based upon the EPSRC priorities, with synthetic organic chemistry receiving reduced funding, and catalysis seeing an increase. The EPSRC also plans to fund significantly less studentship and to channel this funding instead through Centres for Doctoral Training. Clearly, the Shaping Capability programme has major implications for the future of the chemical sciences, in fact, all the physical sciences, in all regions of the UK, it has been noted.
Some of the reaction has been very adverse, especially from those directly affected. These include Anthony Barrett from Imperial College and Paul Clarke from the University of York, who wrote a letter, which was supported by 100 chemists, to the Prime Minister and to the Guardian newspaper.
Against this background, staff and relevant governance members have been in detailed discussions with senior staff at EPSRC about the issues. A letter has been written to the Chief Executive of EPSRC, David Delpy, expressing the RSC's concerns and stressing the need for an open dialogue on the way forward. The RSC has asked the EPSRC about the evidence that they need from the Society and other learned societies in order to decide on the second and third tranches of funding under their priorities.
Representatives of the RSC recently met with the Royal Society, Institute of Physics, Royal Academy of Engineering and Council for Mathematics. They agreed to produce a joint letter to EPSRC recommending that they pause, take account of conversations that have taken place and reflect upon what has been said and see if any modifications of the current plans/processes are possible.
The EPSRC have decided to hold a town hall meeting in London on September 26, 2011 to discuss the Shaping Capability programme. Delegates will include representatives from various disciplines in the physical sciences, including university science departments and the RSC, and working together with other learned societies will help to make this as productive as possible.
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