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Announcing #RealTimeChem Week 2022 – #Inclusivechem (7th November-13th November 2022)

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Hi Real Time Chemists,

We’re back! It’s #RealTimeChem‘s 10th Anniversary and we’ve teamed up with C&EN magazine once again to bring you another Week of chemistry-related fun.

The #RealTimeChem Week 2022 logo for the theme #Inclusivechem
The #RealTimeChem Week 2022 logo – #Inclusivechem

For those not already in the know, #RealTimeChem Week is a 7 day themed event to help raise awareness of the #RealTimeChem chemistry community on Twitter and encourage as many chemists as possible to connect with each other by tweeting about their chemistry as they are doing it. During the week there are events to take part in with prizes on offer, so it’s the perfect week to jump in and share some chemistry with your fellow chemists.

If you are completely new to the community and want to know more about #RealTimeChem in general, then follow this link to the regular “About…” page, where you can learn all about the project and the community.

I’m sure you have questions, you are scientists. Here’s some common questions and the related answers below, including details on this year’s theme, events and prizes:

When is it?

7th November to 13th November 2022
7th November to 13th November 2022

It runs all day, for all 7 days.

How do I take part again?

Just tweet about chemistry using the hashtag #RealTimeChem. Simple as that. You should also use this year’s theme hashtag #Inclusivechem. That hashtag will also be monitored by me (& our sponsors at C&EN) during the event. We also have a series of other hashtag based daily roll calls during the week to highlight different communities that you can be involved in, so check those out below.

What is this year’s theme?

#Inclusivechem
#Inclusivechem

#RealTimeChem has a global community with Tweeters from all over the world. They come from a diverse range of cultures and with a huge variety of backgrounds and experiences.

This year we have chosen to both recognise and celebrate this diversity using the hashtag #Inclusivechem. It is so important that we value every member of this community and show that all are welcome. It is our greatest strength. For chemistry to prosper and help the world, it must be inclusive and accessible to all.

Chemistry is for everybody. Let’s celebrate what makes it great. All of you.

Image by Andy Brunning showing different chemists walking across the LGBTQ+ progress pride flag in the style of The Beatles Abbey Road cover.
Image: Andy Brunning/Compound Interest

Throughout the week we and our friends at C&EN magazine will be asking:

  1. What does #InclusiveChem mean for you?
  2. Show us your #RealTimeChem! Where do you find chemistry around you?
  3. Give a shout out to a mentor, teacher, or colleague who has opened doors in your #InclusiveChem journey
  4. What are your #FlagsOfChem?
  5. What is your favorite queer molecule and why?
  6. What languages do you use to communicate your science?
  7. How have you changed in the last 10 years of #RealTimeChem? – how did it start and how is it going?
A how it started how it's going meme showing the logos for RealTimeChem in 2012 and 2022.
How #RealTimeChem started (yes 24 was vaguely culturally relevant back then) and how it’s going!

What are the Daily Events?

In addition to above we will be celebrating #InclusiveChem throughout the week with the following daily roll calls to highlight diversity in our chemistry community:

Nov. 7: #InclusiveChem kick off and Fly your #FlagsOfChem – this can be any flag that you feel is important to who you are – you don’t need to just chose one there are lots! You’ll find quite a few on our banner this year.

Nov. 8: #BlackInChem in partnership with @BlackInChem & @NOBCChE

Nov. 9: #DisabledInChem in partnership with @DisabledInSTEM

Nov. 10: #LatinXinChem in partnership with @LatinXchem

Nov. 11: #QueerInChem in partnership with @PrideinSTEM

To take part in a roll call all you need to do is introduce yourself and/or your chemistry using the relevant hashtag. You can just tweet hello, include photos or video. It’s up to you. We’d love for you to take part and help showcase the wonderful diversity in our community. We’ll also be making shout outs all week to chemists in these communities via @RealTimeChem – we’d love to hear yours too. Do also check out our partners and the great I&D work that they are doing within chemistry.

What are the prizes during #RealTimeChem Week 2022?  

Like in previous years there will be prizes for #RealTimeChem Week tweets. However, this year to celebrate 10 years of #RealTimeChem and Inclusion and Diversity in the chemical science, we will be giving away 100 limited edition mugs (yes folks the mugs are baaaaack) featuring the #Inclusivechem art by Andy Brunning.

Winners this year will be selected at random from those who tweet during the week using #InclusiveChem, so everyone has an equal chance of winning!

C&EN Nameplate logo red

C&EN magazine will also be running a story online highlighting some of their favourite Tweets during the event, so make it a good one.

Winners will be asked to provide name and address details via DM or email after the event.

#RealTimeChem Week Adverts

Below you will find banners to help you share the word about #RealTimeChem Week 2022. Our graphics whizz Andy Brunning (www.compoundchem.com) is back this year with some fantastic new banners to promote and celebrate #inclusivechem.

Feel free to share these adverts far and wide.

A banner for #RealTimeChem Week 2022 showing a variety of flags for Inclusion and Diversity including the hashtag #Inclusivechem and the date 7th-13th November 2022.
#flagsofchem banner
Latinx in Stem banner
#disabledinchem banner
#blackinchem banner
LBGQT #queerinstem banner

Want to run a competition or event?

There is always room for more chemistry-based fun. If you would like to run an event or competition during #RealTimeChem Week, then please get in touch with me via realtimechem@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to chat about the possibilities.

See you all during the week! 

-Doctor Galactic-

Advertisement

Introducing #RealTimeChem Ambassador (N. America) – Gabriele Laudadio

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Hi everybody,

Back in February we opened up applications to become a #RealTimeChem Ambassador and we are very pleased to be able to announce the first set of newly appointed Ambassadors. This is the last member of that first set. We’re still looking at new applications though!

So without further ado please meet our 5th #RealTimeChem Ambassador (again based in North America):

Gabriele Laudadio (@g_laudadio) – https://twitter.com/g_laudadio

Gabriele Laudadio was born in 1991 in Italy. He received his M.Sc. degree in Organic Chemistry at the University of Pisa. In 2020, he obtained his Ph.D. degree with Cum Laude under the supervision of Prof. Timothy Noël. Currently, Dr. Laudadio joined Prof. Baran group at the Scripps Research Institute in California. His research is focused on solving synthetic problems in Organic Chemistry embracing new technology, like photochemistry, electrochemistry and flow chemistry. Gabriele has previously worked with #RealTimeChem team on the #Chem4Life theme for #RealTimeChem Week in 2018.

Please join us in saying a big hello to Gabriele either in the comments below or, more likely, on Twitter (you should follow him)! We’ll be working with Gabriele and all of our other new Ambassadors to generate new and exciting content for #RealTimeChem in the coming weeks, months and years ahead!

If you’d like to apply to be a #RealTimeChem Ambassador check out how here.

Signing off.

@doctor_galactic
@lauraksmith2015

Introducing #RealTimeChem Ambassador (N. America) – Soren Lipman

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Hi everybody,

Back in February we opened up applications to become a #RealTimeChem Ambassador and we are very pleased to be able to announce the first set of newly appointed Ambassadors.

So without further ado please meet our 4th #RealTimeChem Ambassador (this time based in North America!):

Soren Lipman (@sorenlipman) – https://twitter.com/sorenlipman

Hello, my name is Soren (@sorenlipman) and I am a first-year graduate student in the chemical biology program at UC Berkeley. I am an advocate for academic mental health. In my free time, I love to explore new music (especially alternative rock), cross-stitch, and bake! 

Please join us in saying a big hello to Soren either in the comments below or, more likely, on Twitter (you should follow her)! We’ll be working with Soren and all of our other new Ambassadors to generate new and exciting content for #RealTimeChem in the coming weeks, months and years ahead! More ambassadors to be announced soon!

If you’d like to apply to be a #RealTimeChem Ambassador check out how here.

Signing off.

@doctor_galactic
@lauraksmith2015

Introducing #RealTimeChem Ambassador (Europe) – Henry Powell-Davies

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Hi everybody,

Back in February we opened up applications to become a #RealTimeChem Ambassador and we are very pleased to be able to announce the first set of newly appointed Ambassadors.

So without further ado please meet our third #RealTimeChem Ambassador (still focusing on Europe):

Henry Powell-Davies (@hpowelldavies) – https://twitter.com/hpowelldavies

Hi, I’m Henry, currently a graduate researcher in the Cronin Group at the University of Glasgow. My research is focused on developing 3D-printable reactionware devices which are capable of, in theory, performing any chemical synthesis in a series of simple steps. I have a real interest in automated approaches to doing chemistry, especially those which seek to make practical work more accessible for those of us with disabilities. As a RealTimeChem Ambassador, I will look to encourage even more people to takepart in events such as #RealTimeChem Week, as I view this as a great chance not only to build a global network of scientists with varied interests who can interact with each other in this global space, but also break down barriers to communication and ensure everyone has a place they can freely express their interests in chemistry and the associated sciences, ultimately allowing the community to grow and learn together!

Please join us in saying a big hello to Henry either in the comments below or, more likely, on Twitter (you should follow him)! We’ll be working with Henry and all of our other new Ambassadors to generate new and exciting content for #RealTimeChem in the coming weeks, months and years ahead! More ambassadors to be announced soon!

If you’d like to apply to be a #RealTimeChem Ambassador check out how here.

Signing off.

@doctor_galactic
@lauraksmith2015

Introducing #RealTimeChem Ambassador (Europe) – Charlotte Pugsley

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Hi everybody,

Back in February we opened up applications to become a #RealTimeChem Ambassador and we are very pleased to be able to announce the first set of newly appointed Ambassadors.

So without further ado please meet our second #RealTimeChem Ambassador:

Charlotte Pugsley (@cepugsley)
https://twitter.com/cepugsley

Hi, my name is Charlotte, and I am a PhD student at the University of Leeds in the UK. My research is in the field of soft matter, and I spend most of my time in the lab synthesising polymers by RAFT polymerisation. However, at heart, I’m a physical chemist who is fascinated by colloids! As a woman in chemistry I have often felt like an impostor. Being able to connect with other women through #RealTimeChem has made me more confident within a scientific community that reflects my own experiences.

Please join us in saying a big hello to Charlotte either in the comments below or, more likely, on Twitter (you should follow her)! We’ll be working with Charlotte and all of our other new Ambassadors to generate new and exciting content for #RealTimeChem in the coming weeks, months and years ahead! More ambassadors to be announced soon!

If you’d like to apply to be a #RealTimeChem Ambassador check out how here.

Signing off.

@doctor_galactic
@lauraksmith2015

#RealTimeChem Ambassadors: Apply now!

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Introduction

Since 2012, chemists around the world have been connecting on Twitter using #RealTimeChem to tell the everyday story of their lives in chemistry. The number of tweets using #RealTimeChem has exceeded 70,000 during that time and it remains one of the most used hashtags by the ever growing community.

From its incpetion #RealTimeChem has be curated solely by me (@Doctor_Galactic), but times they are a changin’ and as the community has grown it has been necessary to look at ways for #RealTimeChem to evolve and grow with it. I have never tried to control the hashtag in any significant way, it has developed organically and is the sum of all the wonderful chemists who have tweeted over the years. So, it makes sense now to open the proverbial doors to the community and invite you to take part in #RealTimeChem’s future.

Hence, the launch today of the #RealTimeChem Ambassador program.

Program aims

The overall aim of the ambassador program is to promote and grow the #RealTimeChem community and providing a home for chemists on Twitter. This will be achieved by recruiting an inclusive and diverse range of chemists covering a whole range of chemistry subjects from across the entire world. It is envisaged that we will recruit up to 12 ambassadors with 2 from each continent (bar Antarctica).

Each ambassador will generate #RealTimeChem content based upon their everyday chemistry and experiences, but they will also find and promote chemistry within their local community and subject area by flagging it with the hashtag. Ambassadors will also be encouraged to engage with the community to generate discussions and build a supportive network.

Other opportunities for Ambassadors may include (but are not limited to):

  • running themed weeks where they will “take over” the @RealTimeChem feed.
  • chairing #RealTimeChem socials online.
  • promoting, running and taking part in #RealTimeChem Week events.

Interested? Here is how to apply.

If you would like to put yourself forward to be a #RealTimeChem Ambassador then please send your application via the following Google form:

https://forms.gle/H3TKW1MkAnbmSyp66

A note about expectations: Please note that this is NOT a paid position. There is no external funding for #RealTimeChem, although it does often work with partners on events. Ambassadors will not be expected to spend a set amount of time working on #RealTimeChem, only what they can spare in their free time.

If there are any questions about the program or applying please either DM via @RealTimeChem on Twitter or email realtimechem@gmail.com.

– Dr Jay and Laura S –

The meaning of #Chem4Life: Chemistry for Life and Life in Chemistry

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Welcome to the 2018 #RealTimeChem week! My suggestion for this year’s theme was the most voted on Twitter and it’s now time to explain to all of you why I proposed this hashtag.

Chem4Life

First of all, my name is Gabriele Laudadio, and I am currently pursuing my PhD at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the group of Dr. Timothy Noël. Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by chemistry and how the interaction between different molecules originated life as we know it. For this reason, as soon as I graduated high school student, I decided to go for it: I wanted to be a chemist!

From the very beginning, I realized how tough studying chemistry can be. So many different disciplines, so many different courses to attend. None of this scared me though, quite the opposite happened: the more I got into the field, the more I knew that it was worth all my time.

Learning the basics of chemistry felt like learning a new language. Atoms make up the alphabet, molecules can be used to form sentences and drawing reaction mechanisms pretty much compares to grammar: the rules are clear but there’s always an exception! The amazing thing about the chemical language? It’s universal! Chemistry can be used to communicate with any other fellow chemist around the world and to unravel the mystery of our universe.

Looking back to the last couple centuries, it’s so clear that chemistry not only serves the purposes of the chemical community, but affects society as a whole. From the understanding of microbiology to new approaches in the synthesis of bioactive compounds, from the production of polymers to the relevance of transition metal complexes in drug discovery…this list could be so long! What’s certain is that the Chemistry in all these discoveries radically changed the Life of every human being on this planet.

And that’s where the theme I suggested comes from: a reminder that Chemistry and Life are indissolubly linked together. What’s left to us chemists, scientists, and curious tweeps around the world is the task to learn the language of chemistry to interact with Nature. Have you had the chance in your career to glimpse into the bond between Chemistry and Nature? How did your research contribute to bring us one step further as society? Tell us all about it this week! This will be an awesome discussion I am certainly looking forward to!

But there’s also a second meaning for this #Chem4Life RealTimeChem week, one for all the insiders of the chemistry world. Nothing in life binds people together like common passions and interests, so this week we want to know how Chemistry impacted your own life. Which people/places/adventures changed your life as a chemist? Myself, I had the chance to meet fantastic people during my studies: many of my lab mates are among my best friends and I even had the luck to find love over chemistry books (My wife probably knew I liked her the moment I enthusiastically offered her my jealously guarded Org Chem notes during our masters ☺)

So let’s use the great platform of Twitter to talk about Life in Chemistry!

And don’t get me wrong: I know life as a chemists is not all sunshine and rainbows. There’s many challenges all of us face when devoting our time to Chemistry, both as scientists and as human beings. So don’t hold back and feel free to start any discussions on “the dark side” of chemistry as well… (what about working-life balance, funding situation, preprint papers, issues with the peer-reviewing systems, diversity in science, intercultural awareness in international labs…)

I certainly hope that this #Chem4Life will be a great opportunity for all chemists to remind ourselves of how lucky we are to work in this great field, to inspire and support each other through real-life examples and to reflect as a community on what we hope to achieve/improve in the future.

 

Chemistry for Life and Life in Chemistry, one for all, all for one!

 

Enjoy this lovely week, and don’t’ forget the hashtag! #Chem4Life.

 

–Gabriele–

Gabriele_Laudadio_ST_PO_VH_3555_PhD

Author Biography: 

Gabriele Laudadio received his masters degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Pisa in 2016. 
He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in the group of Dr Timothy Noël at the Eindhoven University of Technology. 
His research focuses on the application of Green Chemistry to improve Organic Chemistry methodologies, 
combining continuous-flow microreactor technology with electrochemistry and photochemistry.

 

 

#RealTimeChem Week 2016 – FAQ

Posted on by doctorgalactic

rtc-week-2016

Hello everybody,

It’s almost that time again, time for #RealTimeChem Week! For those not in the know, #RealTimeChem Week is a 7 day event to help raise awareness of the #RealTimeChem chemistry community on Twitter and encourage as many chemists to tweet about their chemistry as possible. During the week various events, competitions and prizes are on offer, just to make it all the more fun and exciting.

If you are completely new and want to know more about #RealTimeChem in general, then following this link to the regular FAQ, where you can learn all about the project and the community.

If you don’t use #RealTimeChem all that regularly, this is the week to give it a go. Why not take some time during #RealTimeChem to share some chemistry and connect to other chemists in the world and have some fun while you’re at it?

 

When is it?

31st October-6th November. It runs all day for all 7 days.

 

How do I take part again?

Just tweet about chemistry using the hashtag #RealTimeChem. Simple as that.

 

So what’s going on during this year’s event?

This year has seen the proposed addition of four brand new elements to the periodic table: nihonium, moscovium, tennessine and oganesson (due to be ratified in November). And with these additions the periodic table is now full. Row 7 is done folks! Such a big change doesn’t happen all that often and it’s been just one of a number of big changes that have occurred, and not just in chemistry, in chemistry during 2016.

From a personal perspective, I became a father for the first time this year and while asking about the community for ideas for #RealTimeChem Week this year, a theme that resonated with me was a suggestion from @nadineborduas:

As such, this year’s overall event theme is “New Elements in Chemistry” i.e. #NewElemChem – but this is not just about the periodic table’s new additions, it’s all about you. What new elements have been introduced in your life as a chemist or to your chemistry this year? Perhaps you’ve just started your life as a chemist? Maybe you’ve made some new, ground breaking discoveries? Had to learn new skills? Got new equipment or glass ware?  All the new things.

Of course the event isn’t limited to the theme, but this is just a few suggestions to think upon and will also be the subject of all #RealTimeChem Blog Carnival posts (more on that below).

 

#RealTimeChem Week Advert

Below you can find some banners to help you share the word about #RealTimeChem Week 2016. Designed again by the awesome Andy Brunning of @compoundinterest (www.compoundchem.com)

rtcw-about-poster

Plus in a few different colours:

rtcw-about-poster_bluertcw-about-poster_redrtcw-about-poster_purple

#RealTimeChem Awards 2016 (31st October – 4th November)

Just like previous years, I will be offering awards for the best tweets during #RealTimeChem Week. The format has, again, changed a little due to circumstances and budget. This year, after noting that tweets are often quite slim on the weekend portion of #RealTimeChem week, I’ve decided to focus the awards on the 5 days of the working week, with The Great #RealTimeChem Cook off taking up the weekend slot.

So, all you have to do to potentially win a prize in the awards is tweet using #RealTimeChem on the Monday-Friday. There are three different awards available: Ag, Au and Pt. 10 awards will be given each of the five days (6 Ag, 3 Au, 1 Pt). Those winning the coveted Platinum award (5 total) will each win a prize, which is, as usual, a #RealTimeChem mug with this year’s snazzy logo emblazoned on it:

mug-preview

This years mug prize.

Sadly, due to severe budget restrictions this year, Gold and Silver award winners don’t get a prize unfortunately, except recognition that you are, completely awesome.

 

The Great #RealTimeChem Cook Off (5th– 6th November) 

 

It’s back! Introduced last year, The Great #RealTimeChem Cook Off celebrates the perfect combination that is chemistry and cooking.

This year’s contest is sponsored by @WileyVCH‘s society chemistry journals.* Five winners will receive a ChemPubSoc Europe package containing

–A copy of What’s Cooking in Chemistry: How Leading Chemists Succeed in the Kitchen
-An exclusive #chemquackers scientist rubber duck (which you can use for all your #RealTimeChem posts!)
-Other Wiley-VCH goodies!

cpse-realtimechem-whatscooking-2016-prizes

This year’s cook off prizes

The competition only takes place on the weekend of #RealTimeChem Week. Feel free to cook something during the week, but the tweet must be shared on the weekend of November 5th-6th to count.

All you have to do to enter the competition is to tweet your culinary creation (anything cooking, baking or food related) and include #RealTimeChem #whatscooking & @ChemPubSoc_Euro at the end of your tweet. Your tweet should include a picture or video of your creation and ideally have a short description (the description can even talk about the chemistry in your cooking! It’s up to you). Alternatively, you can write/link a recipe for others to try.

Everyone who tweets a cooking-related post using these hashtags will be entered into the competition, and 5 favourites will win a prize.

Hopefully with a bit more notice this time, you’ll all have time to get some ingredients in and post a tweet. I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!

—
*@ChemEurJ, @ChemistrySelect, @ChemistryOpen, @ChemBioChem, @ChemCatChem, @ChemMedChem, @ChemElectroChem, @ChemPhysChem, @ChemPlusChem, @ChemSusChem,@ChemPhotoChem, @EurJIC, and Eur. J. Org. Chem (all journals of @ChemPubSoc_Euro); @ChemAsianJ, @AsianJOrgChem, and @ChemNanoMat (all journals of the Asian Chemical Editorial Society); and @angew_chem (a journal of @GDCh_aktuell).

 

 

The #RealTimeChem Week Blog Carnival – #NewElemChem (31st October-6th November)

rtcw-new-elements

While the primary action for #RealTimeChem Week takes place on Twitter, there is also a blog carnival that runs alongside it. Chemistry bloggers are part of a thriving community and there are some excellent writers out there just waiting for readers.

Last year, #RealTimeChem Week had a “Back to the Future” theme, resulting in some fantastic posts on #OldTimeChem and #FutureTimeChem (highlights from last year are available here at SciTechConnect).

This year the theme is “New elements in chemistry” (#NewElemChem) and here’s the brief:

Write a blog post about the new chemistry in your life or the new life in your chemistry. The key is the “new” part. Our lives in chemistry are made up of many elements, both chemically and non-chemically speaking, and this is your chance to tell the community all about it. What new reactions have you run this year? Have you had fun with new chemicals? Did you learn something mind-bogglingly for the first time? Are you adapting to a new life situation that’s affecting your chemistry? Have you just started your life as a chemist? You can answer any of these questions and more. Write as little or as much as you like and share it during #RealTimeChem Week with #NewElemChem to be part of the blog carnival.

So, if you are a blogger, write a post and share it during the Week on Twitter using the hastag #NewElemChem. The carnival this year is being kindly hosted again by Elsevier’s SciTechConnect (thanks Katey Birtcher!). They will be looking out for this hashtag and will collect your blog post into a round up each day so they are all in one place for easy access.

Please note, if you don’t use the hashtag, then your post won’t be included in the carnival, so please make sure you remember to add it. I’ll also be retweeting these via @RealTimeChem to draw attention to them during the week. Happy writing!

 

Compound Interest competition

rtcw-chemunicate-competition

Want a graphic made based on your research? For this year’s #RealTimeChem Week, we’re once again after chemistry researchers who want to explain their research in easy-to-understand terms. To enter, all you have to do is write a piece no longer than 500 words, detailing your work and its potential applications. Note that it should be written so it’s understandable for an audience of non-scientists!

From the submitted pieces, three will be chosen to have graphics made based on them, and these graphics will then be featured alongside your written piece on the Compound Interest site during #RealTimeChem Week, which this year runs from 31 October until 6th November.

You can find details on how to enter here.

 

Other events/competitions

There is always room for more chemistry-based fun. If you would like to run an event or competition during #RealTimeChem Week or to sponsor one of the above events, then please get in touch with me via realtimechem@gmail.com and I’ll be happy to chat about the possibilities.

 

-Doctor Galactic-

 

 

  

It’s #Time4Chem

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Hello everybody,

First off, apologies for the lack of updates recently. I’ve been rather busy so far this year both at work and at home so haven’t had the time to do much on the blog. I’m hoping to relaunch the major features like #RealTimeChemInFocus soon.

In the meantime, it’s no secret that I work for the Royal Society of Chemistry as a publishing editor. Generally, I’ve kept #RealTimeChem and the RSC apart, but this year I’ll be making a bit of an exception.

175years

The RSC is the world’s oldest chemical society and is celebrating is 175th anniversary in 2016. As such, it’s going all out this year to recognise it’s history and the chemical community.

It’s hoping that everyone will take some time this year to dedicate 175 minutes to chemistry and then share your story with the rest of the community. Obviously, I know a lot of your spend near 24/7 dedicating yourself to chemistry, but this is a good opportunity to try something different that you may not have considered before.

How does this link into #RealTimeChem and social media? Well, you can share your stories via the dedicated hashtag #Time4Chem, which I’ll be keeping an eye out for this year too.

I’d greatly encourage everyone in the #RealTimeChem community to have some fun with this if you have the time this year. It’s only 175 mins (that’s, like, less than 3 hours) The possibilities of what you can do for your 175 minutes are pretty much endless, but here’s a few suggestions:

  • Take part in some education outreach – a lot of Universities have outreach departments
  • Start a chemistry podcast/youtube channel – chat about chemistry, show off some reactions or chemistry concepts, have some fun.
  • Spend some time editing wikipedia – chemistry articles can always be updated and your knowledge may be just what the world’s biggest free encyclopedia needs.
  • Start a chemistry blog – enjoy writing? Enjoy chemistry? Why not combine both together?
  • Contribute to ChemSpider Synthetic Pages (http://cssp.chemspider.com/)

 

There are many more examples on the RSC website:

http://www.rsc.org/about-us/our-history/175-anniversary/

Just don’t forget to let the RSC know by keeping them up-to-date with #Time4Chem.

Now in particular is a great time to start, as this week is the anniversary week and sees the start of the RSC’s 175 faces of Chemistry exhibition at Burlington House in London – so why not spend some of your 175 minutes celebrating diversity in science? It runs from 22nd February to 4th March.

More information at the link:

http://www.rsc.org/diversity/175-faces/

http://www.rsc.org/events/detail/21557/175-faces-of-chemistry-exhibition

 

Ciao for now,

-Doctor Galactic and The Labcoat Cowboy-

#RealTimeChem Week 2015 Awards and Cook Off prize winners

Posted on by doctorgalactic

Hi RealTimeChemists,

Once again I have to say a massive thank you every single chemist out there who took part in #RealTimeChem week. This community only exists because of you and it’s always great fun to witness the massive variety of chemists taking part from all over the world. It was nice to see tweet not just from regulars, but also a lot of newcomers. Welcome to #RealTimeChem I hope you enjoy your stay.

While the week event is over for another year, don’t forget that #RealTimeChem is a 24/7 project, so feel free to keep sharing chemistry whenever you want and engage with your fellow chemists around the world.

I have some very special thank yous to give out this year to the following folks:

  • Andy Brunning of @compoundchem fame. Not only did Andy design all of the graphics for this year, he also provided a really cool infographic competition of his own to celebrate #RealTimeChem Week. I look forward to working with Andy again in the future.
  • Katey Birtcher and all the folks at Elsevier’s SciTechConnect who ran the Blog Carnival this year and promoted the week. Your enthusiasm for the project has really kept me going and I loved the round ups.
  • Nicola Burton, formerly @Elements_UD now @SpaceBambee, thanks greatly for the #RealTimeChem Award badges
  • Kudos to the Royal Society of Chemistry and all my friends at work for supporting the project and also getting on board from time to time.
  • Finally, thanks to Guido Kemeling, Editor-in-Chief of @ChemSusChem, who was kind enough to organise the prizes for the The Great #RealTimeChem Cook Off. Thanks to all the other ladies and gentlemen at WileyVCH for the support as well.

With all of these out of the way, it’s time to get onto this years awards. This was, as ever, ridiculously tough because there were many excellent tweets all deserving a prize. Thankfully, I have a few more prizes to give out this time around!

Below you will find out the results. Drum roll please?

 

RTCWTOW

TOP PRIZE WINNERS

The three tweeters below all win a #RealTimeChem Week 2015 mug of their very own like the below:

Everyone loves a mug right? You can do all kinds of things with them!

BrianWagner

From Wednesday. Brian Wagner (@drummerboy2112) is one of THE chemists to follow on Twitter in my humble opinion and this simple demonstration of Boyle’s Law using a marshmallow, a flask and some suction was arguably the most popular tweet of the whole week in terms of retweets and favourites. Science can be fun and informative both at the same time.

Lauravanlaeren

From Wednesday. Laura van Laeren (@lauravlaeren) strikes again, sharing a lot of great tweets throughout the week, including several pictures of her beautifully painted finger nails. However, it was her starry night flask that caught a lot of attention this year and I couldn’t ignore it’s awesomeness. Pretty colours for the win!

emilyhardy

From Saturday. Speaking of pretty colours, it was National Chemistry Week in the US at the same time, with colours being the big theme. Emily Hardy (@EmilyEHardy) snuck in on the Saturday to show off some fantastic chemiluminescence. Really spectacular.

Don’t forget to DM me your address so I can post your prize to you.

RUNNERS UP

The remaining 9 Pt Awards winners will all get a #RealTimeChem keyring like the one below:

keyring

All winners, DM me your address & I’ll post your key ring to you.

NOTE: Au/Ag award winners. Unfortunately, you don’t get a prize (except the kudos),  but thank you for taking part!

GRTCCO

I was lucky this year to be given some extra prizes for a new competition. The first #RealTimeChem Cook off! There were quite a few entries and below you can find the 6 chosen winners.

The Grumpy Chemist (@Chemistry_Kat) 

Henrik Pedersen (@hacp81)

Victoria Stafford (@ToriaStafford)

Massimo Grillo (@MassimoGrillo63)

Tom Kuntzleman (@pchemstud)

Debbie Mitchell (@heydebigale)

 

All 6 of these tweeters win a copy of “What’s Cooking in Chemistry?: How Leading Chemists Succeed in the Kitchen“.

Send me your address details via DM and the folks at Wiley will send you your prize*!

 

*Book prizes sponsored by @WileyVCH’s society chemistry journals. These are: @ChemEurJ., @ChemistryOpen, @ChemBioChem, @ChemCatChem, @ChemMedChem, @ChemElectroChem, @ChemPhysChem, @ChemPlusChem, @ChemSusChem, @EurJIC, and Eur. J. Org. Chem (all journals of ChemPubSoc Europe); @ChemAsianJ, @AsianJOrgChem, and @ChemNanoMat (all journals of the Asian Chemical Editorial Society); and @angew_chem (a journal of @GDCh_aktuell)

 

 

Well, that’s all folks. All awards are now given and #RealTimeChem Week is officially over for this year. Once more, thank you to everyone who took part. May all your chemistry dreams come true.

mischief managed

-Doctor Galactic & The Lab Coat Cowboy-