Royal Society of Chemistry Visit Showcases AWE Excellence
AWE recently welcomed colleagues from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for a visit that highlighted the very best of our people, facilities, and professional culture.
The RSC is the world’s oldest chemical society, founded in 1841 with a Royal Charter for the “general advancement of chemical science.” It is now a global professional body representing more than 60,000 members and plays a leading role in setting professional standards, supporting careers, and advancing chemical sciences worldwide.
The RSC exists to:
- Promote excellence in chemical science
- Set and uphold professional and ethical standards
- Support education, training, and career development
- Enable collaboration across academia, industry, and government
For organisations such as AWE, maintaining a strong relationship with the RSC is essential. It provides independent assurance of our professional standards, supports the development and recognition of our people, and strengthens confidence in our ability to deliver our mission safely and effectively.
This visit formed part of our ongoing engagement with the RSC and builds on a relationship spanning more than 20 years of accreditation and collaboration.
The day started with an engaging introductory talk and a leadership overview and then moved onto a highly informative tour. Our visitors experienced the depth of expertise, professionalism, and enthusiasm that defines our science community.
Another highlight of the day was a visit to the RAICo exhibition, which showcased the forward-looking application of robotics and artificial intelligence within our mission space. This reinforced AWE’s commitment to innovation and demonstrated how advanced technologies are shaping the future of our work.
The visit was complemented by a tour of the AWE Educational Collection, providing further insight into how we communicate science, build understanding, and inspire the next generation.
One of the most impactful sessions was the discussion with some of our active RSC mentees. Colleagues spoke openly about their development journeys, highlighting the strength of our accreditation scheme and the supportive mentoring culture embedded across AWE.
Our RSC-accredited Scheme plays a key role in enabling colleagues to achieve professional recognition, from early career stages through to chartership and fellowship, helping individuals build their capability while strengthening the organisation.
Our continued partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry is more than accreditation, it is a strategic relationship that:
- Validates the quality and professionalism of our science capability
- Supports career development and recognition for our people
- Enables collaboration across the wider scientific community
- Reinforces trust in AWE as a leading science and technology organisation
The positive feedback received from our visitors reflects the outstanding effort, preparation, and teamwork from everyone involved.
*Pictured: Left to right: Jenny Boxwell (AWE), Duncan Broughton (AWE, Head of Profession Chemistry and Materials), Toby Underwood (RSC, Head of Professional Standards), Dario Castiglione (AWE), Dave Knox (AWE), Amy Newman (AWE), Elizabeth Woods (RSC, Director of Customer Experience & Marketing).
