Becoming a Licensed Body of the Science Council and offering Chartered Scientists (CSci) to BASES members.
What do you want from me?
To know whether you support BASES becoming a Licensed Body of the Science Council and offering Chartered Scientists (CSci) to BASES members.
In a nutshell what is this proposal all about?
At the next BASES Board meeting we will discuss whether BASES should seek to become a Licensed Body of the Science Council. The Science Council is a membership organisation that brings together learned societies and professional bodies across science and its applications. The key benefit of joining the Science Council is that it “advances professionalism in science by enabling member bodies to offer Chartered Scientists (CSci) to their individual members.” There are currently around 15,000 Chartered Scientists working in a vast array of settings and across all scientific and related sectors.
What’s the background to this proposal?
Most members will be unaware that in 2004 it was agreed at the AGM to apply for membership of the Science Council (when BASES had sufficient funds). At a later date it was decided to focus our efforts on an application to the Health Professions Council and at the September 2010 AGM, members voted an overwhelming “yes” to the proposal that BASES should seek Health Professions Council regulation of the profession of sport and exercise scientist. However, in March 2011 HPC announced they will no longer consider adding new professions and so the option of becoming a Licensed Body of the Science Council is being re-visited.
What is The Science Council?
The Science Council is a membership organisation that brings together learned societies and professional bodies across science and its applications. The key benefit of joining the Science Council is that it “advances professionalism in science by enabling member bodies to offer Chartered Scientists (CSci) to their individual members.” The Science Council upholds the standards for CSci but it delegates responsibility for its award to professional bodies which are granted Licensed Body status. If you feel you have the required combination of qualifications and experience and can show you meet the CSci competencies, and are a member of one of the Science Council’s Licensed Professional Bodies, you could apply to become a Chartered Scientist.
What is a Chartered Scientist?
CSci represents, a single chartered mark for all scientists, recognising high levels of professionalism and competence in science. There are currently around 15,000 Chartered Scientists working in a vast array of settings and across all scientific and related sectors. Being chartered is the mark of professional recognition. Being a Chartered Scientist allows all scientists working at the full professional level to be recognised on an equal footing.
How do I qualify for CSci?
To qualify for the Chartered Scientist designation applicants must possess a combination of high-level scientific knowledge and experience. This is typically demonstrated by an accredited Masters qualification together with four years of post graduation-level experience sufficient to meet the CSci competencies.
Education
Chartered Scientist is set at the same high level as other chartered titles such as Chartered Mathematician and Chartered Engineer, with the exemplifying educational standard being at M-Level. Candidates for CSci must have met the M-Level learning outcomes as exemplified by the QAA descriptors. Licensed Bodies accredit Masters programmes for the purposes of CSci. The standard route is through an accredited Masters degree. Where a candidate does not hold an accredited degree, they may still show equivalence of M-Level learning through:
- academic qualifications (including those at D-Level),
- accredited prior learning,
- portfolios, and
- assessed scientific and technical reports (including published peer-reviewed papers)
Competence
Five overarching competency statements illustrate the professional skills and attributes Chartered Scientists are expected to demonstrate through a combination of their knowledge and experience:
- Deal with complex scientific issues, both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences
- Exercise self-direction and originality in solving problems, and exercise substantial personal autonomy in planning and implementing tasks at a professional level
- Continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and competence to a high level and demonstrate a commitment to CPD
- Demonstrate an understanding and commitment to Health and Safety and environmental issues related to employment
- Comply with the relevant Codes of Conduct
CPD
Applicants are expected to demonstrate a minimum of two years' prior CPD activity in order to register as Chartered Scientists, and must continue to participate in and record CPD throughout their working lives in order to retain the award.
How long is CSci awarded for?
It is awarded with annual renewal. Annual CPD monitoring is the process which all Chartered Scientists undergo in order to retain their CSci status. All Chartered Scientists must confirm that they remain professionally active and competent to perform their role, and be able to support this attestation with evidence of CPD activity.
What are the costs?
The costs to BASES are Science Council annual subscriptions, a one-off application fee, an annual Licensed Body fee and a fee for each individual Chartered Scientist. Year 1 approx costs = £7,840, Year 2 (and thereafter) approx costs = £6,340.
What are the Website addresses?
· Science Council (www.sciencecouncil.org) is a membership organisation that brings together learned societies and professional bodies across science and its applications.
· Chartered Scientist CSci (www.charteredscientist.org) represents, a single chartered mark for all scientists, recognising high levels of professionalism and competence in science.
Who do I contact in BASES if I require any further information?
Dr Claire Hitchings, BASES Executive Officer chitchings@bases.org.uk (Wednesdays and Thursdays only).