Society of Glass Technology

The Society of Glass Technology exists to serve people who are interested in the production, properties or uses of glasses, whether from a commercial, aesthetic, academic or technical viewpoint. It is a non-profit making organisation serving a worldwide membership publishing journals and text books, organising meetings, symposia and conferences on glass related topics, coordinating the activities of special interest groups and technical committees, and providing a communication framework geared to the needs of the glass community.

Origins

In 1916 Dr W. E. S. Turner, a chemistry lecturer at Sheffield University in the United Kingdom, recognised the importance of drawing together in one organisation the various groups of people interested in glass. So the SGT was formed. From this beginning the Society has responded to the needs of industry and academia, and remains a model for other glass societies. The Society continues to grow in stature and importance with members in over fifty countries.

Today it is increasingly important to link together those whose interests lie in the many faceted world of glass. There is still the need for mutual support within and between the various fields of interest and particularly between industry and academia. The Society achieves its objectives through establishing clear channels of communication and by encouraging technical advance and educational initiative.

The SGT offers a network spanning the glass community, providing a medium for the diffusion of ideas and experience, cutting across the barriers of narrow specialisation.

Publications

The SGT publishes two bimonthly journals: Physics and Chemistry of Glasses is the leading international publication directed towards the specialised interests of research scientists in the fields of glass structure and properties. Glass Technology covers a wider range of topics, including scientific, commercial and artistic aspects of glass manufacture and its supporting and dependent technologies. In addition to refereed papers, Glass Technology contains SGT and industry news together with conference proceedings and review papers.
The Abstracts sections of both journals are of particular value to members and are considered to be the most comprehensive in the glass community.

SGT monographs provide definitive texts on subjects of direct relevance to those working in glass and related areas.

Local Sections

Particular geographical regions are served by Local Sections. Programmes of a technical and social nature are maintained to meet the requirements of each area. Works visits usually figure prominently, as do meetings of historical and aesthetic interest.

An excellent vehicle for professional development and the formation of valuable personal contacts, involvement with the SGT at this level offers useful opportunities to link into the glass community.
The Sections are: Scotland, North East, North West, Yorkshire, Midlands, London, India and North America.

Specialist Interests

Various specialisms are served by SGT Technical Committees and Special Interest Groups. These are supported by relevant links into related national and international bodies (including Standards Organisations).
Technical Committees have a formal remit to monitor particular areas of technical interest and to communicate the latest developments. The areas covered include:

Basic Science and Technology
Analysis and Properties
Engineering
Furnaces
Hand-made Glassware
Refractories

Special Interest Groups are smaller and more flexible in order to stimulate activity in particular fields as the need becomes apparent. They arrange meetings, coordinate research activities and report their findings in SGT publications. Examples are:

Glasses for Opto-Electronics
Glass Information

Meetings

The Annual Meeting complements formal sessions of scientific and technological presentations with the invaluable opportunity for members to establish and renew personal contacts. The event includes the Society’s Annual General Meeting, Presidential Address and Annual Dinner and Dance.
Meetings, specialist workshops and clinics are also organised on a regular worldwide basis by the Local Sections of the SGT, the Technical Committees and the various Special Interest Groups.
The Society has established a reputation for holding successful high profile international conferences on glass topics in the UK, providing an added focus for Members.
SGT membership also provides access to meetings organised by both the European Society of Glass Science and Technology and the International Commission on Glass.
The Society were hosts to the International Congress on Glass held in Edinburgh, July 2001 and the 8th ESG Conference on Glass Science and Technology (Glass Art Science) held in Sunderland during September 2006.

Student Project Prize

The annual Student Project Prize is awarded for the best written report by an undergraduate student on a glass related topic which forms part of their degree course.

Frank Wood Library

SGT Members have free access to The Frank Wood library based at the University of Sheffield. The library is located within St George's Library, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 4DT and houses one of the world’s foremost collections of glass related books and periodicals, containing artistic, commercial and historical texts in addition to scientific and technological publications. Postal services are available to Members. SGT Members may also obtain photocopies of material for personal use (subject of course to the usual copyright restrictions).
If you would like further information ring the Librarians on the University telephone number (0114) 222 7307 and ask for St George's Library. Mary Parker, the SGT Librarian, or the Librarian appointed by the University, would be happy to answer Members' queries.

Links with other Institutions

The Society of Glass Technology covers a broad range of interests in the art, science and the practical aspects of glass, and is strengthened by strategic links with other organisations.

It can help its members gain internationally recognised professional qualifications through its link with the Institute of Materials, which is a body incorporated in the United Kingdom by Royal Charter and registered with the Engineering Council. Professional membership (MIM), fellowship (FIM), EngTech, (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng) are available to suitably qualified members of the Society of Glass Technology. In addition this link with the Institute of Materials gives access to the materials information service, continued professional development and careers and employment advice.

The Society was a founder member of the International Commission on Glass (ICG) and subsequently the European Society of Glass Science and Technology (ESG). As a consequence, members of the SGT have access to international technical committees at the forefront of glass technology and the opportunity to debate glass issues at international conferences and seminars. These international links together with the SGT’s worldwide membership and its active Local Sections in the UK, North America and India enable members of the Society to interact and exchange ideas with the global glass community.

Links have also been established between the SGT and other specialist glass groups, through common membership or through agreements based on joint meetings and shared publicity. The British Society of Master Glass Painters invites interested SGT members to participate in its meetings. The Glass Association based in Stourbridge has members in common with the SGT, pursuing interests in the design and history of vessel glass. The Institute of Measurement and Control holds collaborative meetings with the SGT, exploring areas of mutual importance to the two bodies.

The Benefits of Membership

There are various levels of Society membership, each of which enjoy particular benefits.

Personal Membership is for individuals who are interested in any aspect of glass, whether academic or industrial.

Collective Membership is for associations or organisations

Journal Patrons The most frequent form of communication worldwide between members of the Society is through the publication of SGT News and the journals, Glass Technology and the Physics and Chemistry of Glasses. These publications are expensive to produce and distribute, and their costs account for the major part of the Society’s income. Companies and Institutions who become Journal Patrons provide invaluable support to the furtherance of the Society’s aims and objectives by contributing directly to publication costs.
In addition to the benefits of Personal Membership both Journal Patrons and Collective Members receive additional copies of the Society’s publications for distribution to employees and preferential rates for meetings and advertising.

The objects of the Society of Glass Technology are to encourage and advance the study of the history, art, science, design, manufacture, after treatment, distribution and end use of glass of any and every kind. These aims are furthered by meetings, publications, the maintenance of a library and the promotion of association with other interested persons and organisations.