Czech Chemical Society

ChemPubSoc Europe – Chemical Society Profile

Česká Společnost Chemická – Czech Chemical Society
Date of founding: 1866
Homepage: http://www.csch.cz/

The Czech Chemical Society (est. 1866) is one of the oldest chemical societies in the world. Historically it has split several times and merged with the Society founded on the chemical industry. The members are (and historically were) from academia (all educators, researchers, and students), from schools, from industry, from services, and as well as from government institutions. Altogether the number of members in the last 10-20 years oscillates around 2300.

How would you describe the role of your society today?

The current role of the Czech Chemical Society may be seen mainly in service to the members. The main aspects of the service are first, publication of the highest level journal Chemicke Listy that traditionally publishes papers in Czech and Slovak languages of three types: Critical reviews, Laboratory equipment and methods, and all kinds of information in a quarterly Society bulletin (www.chemicke-listy.cz); the second type of service is maintaining the platform on which any member or any member group may organize scientific or educational action (or any other, ad libitum) with the professional support of the employees, boards, and committees of the Society; the third aspect of the service are information, contacts and liaison to the sister societies around the world as well as to the associations of international character (EuCheMS, IUPAC, ECTN etc.); the fourth aspect shall be seen in the role of the Society as a member of ChemPubSoc Europe and in participating in the ownership of the leading European chemical journals. Last but not least, the Society offers to its members services, perks and benefits of third parties, linked to the Society.

What are the main challenges for your society?

The main challenges seen within the Czech Chemical Society are to maintain its high reputation, to continuously serve as a supporting party for all chemists in the Czech Republic and to attract new and active members.

What would your society like to do better?

The biggest challenge of the Society today is in perpetual quest of “anything” that may be attractive to the younger generation of chemists.

What is the secret of running a successful society?

The secret of running a successful society is simple: the Society as such must always act in service to its members. Also, the elected dignitaries of the Society must know (and act that way) they were elected for their service to the Society and its members rather than the sake of their own greatness.

Do you have any tips for fruitful collaborations?

Collaboration must be bi- or multilateral, which means it must bring positive aspects (and feelings) to all parties.

What aspects of your society are the most exciting?

Most likely, the opportunity to meet renowned chemists across the Czech Republic, as well as Slovakia.

What was the biggest surprise for your society in the last 10 years?

Most exciting aspect (and the biggest surprise) of the Society is it still exists after all those years and that there still are so many “crazy” people that invest their blood, sweat, and tears to the Society and colleagues.

What have been the most exciting developments in your society?

The most exciting development may be seen in the growth of the ChemPubSoc Europe family of journals.

What future opportunities do you see for your members?

One future opportunity may be (still a vague) the possibility to offer the members professional (regulated) registration at the European level.

What other projects is your society working on?

Always, on the top of activities of the Society are joint congresses with the Slovak Chemical Society (http://www.schems.sk/).

What initiative will you be supporting in the near future?

A possible initiative for the near future is a junior chemical competition for pupils from the 1st cycle schools on a national and, in the future, international level.

Who are your most famous/notorious members past and present?

Among the pioneers and notoriously known members of the Society we can see long list of “big” names, such as Prof. Jaroslav Heyrovský, Prof. Otto Wichterle, and Prof. Rudolf Zahradník.

Who are the leaders today?

The executive committee of the Society:

  • President: Prof. Ing. Jan John, CSc. (Czech Technical University in Prague)
  • Vice-President: Prof. RNDr. Jitka Ulrichová, CSc. (Palacky University Olomouc)
  • Vice-President: Prof. RNDr. Pavel Drašar, DSc. (Prague Institute of Chemical Technology)
  • Treasurer: Prof. Dr. RNDr. Oldřich Lapčík (Prague Institute of Chemical Technology)
  • Doc. Ing. Filip Bureš, Ph.D. (University Pardubice)
  • Doc. RNDr. Václav Slovák, Ph.D. (University Ostrava)
  • Prof. Ing. Petra Šulcová, Ph.D. (University Pardubice)
  • Doc. Ing. Pavel Chuchvalec, CSc. (Prague Institute of Chemical Technology) – Editor in Chief of Chemické Listy.

How does your society communicate science to the general public?

The Society has own web page as well as newly established Facebook profile. In addition to the Chemicke Listy journal, a bulletin disseminating the activities of the Society is published regularly.

How does your society reach out to students?

Our Chemicke Listy is not only aimed on the members but is available to the general public, so are the lectures and presentations. Special issues are aimed towards young students and pupils from 1st and 2nd cycle schools (chemical fairs, competitions …).

What role does your society play in lifelong learning?

There are very active committees and a community oriented towards the chemical education and lifelong learning that organize, sometimes in collaboration with the local higher education institution courses, lectures for members, as well as for the general public.

How does your society make big decisions?

The decisions within the Society are always taken as a consensus of majority. The executive committee of the Society has in the complex and broadly biased issues the final word. Beyond that, for those who are not satisfied with any decision there is the “audit committee” that may act in the role of point of appellation.

A selection of the TOP Czech papers in ChemPubSoc Europe Journals from the last 5 years