Member survey 2026

Proud to be part of the RSC

One of the strongest findings from this year's survey was the pride members feel in their membership. Nearly 90% of members said they are proud to be part of the RSC, while almost 75% feel a sense of belonging within the organisation and its wider community.

Members linked this pride to the professional recognition associated with membership, the RSC's reputation and influence, and being part of a global community of chemical scientists.

"Being associated with such a prestigious institution carries professional recognition and a sense of belonging to an established scientific community." MRSC, Malaysia

"I have made the acquaintance of many other chemists working in different fields which over the years has been valuable professionally." FRSC, UK

Members also continue to recognise the RSC as an important voice for the chemical sciences, particularly in advancing scientific knowledge, supporting education and helping address wider societal challenges, including sustainability.

What members value most

The survey explored which aspects of the RSC's work matter most to members. Three areas emerged as clear priorities:

• Professional recognition and chartership
• Disseminating chemical science knowledge
• Creating a professional community of chemical scientists

The findings highlight the range of ways the RSC delivers value, combining practical benefits such as professional recognition and access to knowledge with the sense of belonging that comes from being part of a professional community.

Priorities vary across different member groups. Early-career and international members place greater importance on networking opportunities, career support and skills development. In contrast, members who are more established in their careers as well as those based in the UK are more likely to prioritise professional recognition, influencing policy, and supporting the future of the chemical sciences.

These insights help us better understand how member needs evolve throughout their careers and where we should focus future investment and support.

Supporting careers and professional development

Career development remains a key priority for members. Across all career stages, members identified enhancing their skills, improving performance in their current role and taking on greater responsibility as their main professional goals over the next two years.

Members continue to value the RSC's professional development offer. Mentoring, training courses, career consultations, transferable skills guidance and employment information were all rated highly. Early-career professionals in particular reported strong demand for careers support, development opportunities and professional guidance.

Since the last survey, we have expanded our support through initiatives including Mentorloop, a mentoring platform already being used by more than 1,000 members for career development, and the RSC Learning Experience Platform, which offers tailored courses to help members build skills across a range of topics.

The survey also informed our What Chemists Earn report, providing valuable insight into salary and career trends across the profession. Members will be able to access this report from early November.

Members highlighted the impact professional recognition and development opportunities have had on their careers:

“The RSC have been very supportive of me personally by providing CPD opportunities, and through funding research and outreach through their grants.” MRSC, UK

“Becoming a Chartered Chemist gave me more recognition of my qualifications in the workplace.” MRSC, UK

“RSC membership gives professional recognition. It helps PhD students and researchers with career development, access to mentors, funding to attend conferences, training and skills development and networking opportunities.” MRSC, UK

The survey also provided important insight into the challenges members face. Work-life balance, workload and finding time for professional development remain the most common challenges reported across the community.

Members working in education continue to report particularly high levels of workload pressure and administrative burden. While members reported fewer professional challenges overall than in 2024, many of the issues identified remain consistent with previous surveys, reinforcing the need for accessible and flexible support.

The findings will continue to inform how we develop services, events and professional development opportunities that help members navigate an increasingly complex working environment and develop their careers.

Networking, volunteering and community

Connection and community remain central to the membership experience.

Members highlighted a range of reasons for networking, including connecting with researchers in their field, supporting career progression, building interdisciplinary relationships and meeting others with shared professional interests.

A notable finding was the growing demand for interdisciplinary networking opportunities. As the chemical sciences become increasingly interdisciplinary, members are looking for opportunities to connect and collaborate across sectors and disciplines.

Supporting multidisciplinary careers is already an important part of how membership is evolving. Over the past year, we have expanded our membership pathways to better reflect the breadth of the chemical sciences community, including the introduction of Partner Scientist membership and the upcoming launch of Partner Teacher membership. These developments will help members connect with professionals working across the wider scientific landscape and ensure the RSC remains relevant to an increasingly diverse community. We’ll continue to launch new membership pathways and services to support a range of backgrounds as the profession itself changes over the coming years.

The survey also highlighted growing engagement with volunteering. The proportion of members who currently volunteer increased from 13% in 2024 to 19% in 2026, while more than a third of non-volunteers expressed an interest in becoming involved in future.

Peer review, subject communities and public engagement activities remain among the most popular ways members contribute their expertise and time. These activities play an important role in supporting both the RSC and the wider chemical sciences community.

However, the findings also suggest there is more we can do to improve awareness of volunteering opportunities. Only around half of current and prospective volunteers feel confident they understand the opportunities available and how to get involved. This represents a significant opportunity to make volunteering more visible and accessible to members.

Listening to members

Alongside many positive findings, the survey identified opportunities to strengthen engagement with some parts of our membership.

Some members working in large industrial and commercial organisations find it more difficult to see the direct relevance of membership within their day-to-day roles. These members often have access to professional development and networking opportunities through their employers and are looking to the RSC to provide broader professional leadership, insight and advocacy for the chemical sciences.

Members also highlighted opportunities to improve awareness of existing support, services and resources.

Although 65% of members said they feel supported by the RSC, only half agreed that the organisation listens and responds to member needs. While both measures have improved since 2024, they remain important areas for continued focus.

We will continue to explore ways to strengthen our support for members, including working with professional bodies and organisations around the world to champion the chemical sciences, partnering with sectors and employers to support chemical scientists, and influencing government policy. We are also reviewing how we communicate the support available through our channels, activities and events to better demonstrate the impact of our work and deepen engagement across different sectors and career stages.