In this collection we explore fostering a positive research culture and scientific practices, covering topics such as reproducibility, open science, diversity and inclusion, leadership and mentorship, career instability, discrimination, misconduct and the evolving landscape of research ethics and integrity.
A knotty mess of problems affects people doing academic research in the UK. Rachel Brazil tries to untie the tangle
Five ways to make chemistry departments better places to work
The pandemic has provided valuable lessons for funders to rethink research culture
The Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted long-existing issues that leaders need to take a stance on
Not enough has been done to support students during the pandemic
Afghan researchers and scholars flee or go into hiding as the Taliban’s return to power sees the science academy and universities closed
Pledge to improve understanding and monitoring of inequality comes a year after open letter was first published
The influential chemist on nurturing confidence in students and taking inspiration from the humanities
Researchers and funders are exploring ways to make large collaborative projects more successful
Taking inspiration from nerd culture
The role of background beliefs and assumptions in the development of science
Improving research culture requires effort – but it’s worth it
We have to accept that we can’t catch up on time lost in lockdown
While the pandemic has introduced more efficient and global ways of working, researchers and educators still have challenges to overcome
Researchers reported spending more time on peer-review activities, teaching and writing
Emphathy is vital to support mentees effectively
The rise of ChemRxiv might mean that chemists can tackle thornier cultural problems
Move derided as ‘hopelessly outdated’ and a setback for open science by researchers
Agency aligns itself with principles of Plan S by insisting on immediate open access
Nina Notman takes stock of how preprint severs have settled into the chemistry community
The Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, recently brought chemistry alive for students with sight loss
’What do you mean you had to lock the NMR with an oscilloscope and shim the magnet by hand?’
The trailblazing computational chemist on the joys of teaching, inaugurating a virtual conference, and the importance of doing things the hard way
Milko van der Boom talks to Chemistry World about dealing with destruction at the Weizmann Institute, saving samples and people coming together
After three years at the helm, Gur to step down from blue-skies research funder
The element sets now found in over half of Australian high schools
Career success is easier with help from others
Celebrating what started when Faraday found the molecule with no end
Instruction on how to be as much at home in the lab as was the man himself
100 years ago, Cecilia Payne deduced that the sun is mainly made of hydrogen – but was encouraged to downplay her findings by her PhD supervisor. Mike Sutton takes up the story
Taking part in a mentoring programme can provide you with the support you need for career success
Items included a personal letter from his mother and an original copy of his only chemistry paper
A philosophical discussion about how much we can trust our senses
St Andrews librarians and physicists partner to create sensor that can detect the spectrum of toxic green colourant
As we celebrate the anniversary of benzene’s isolation, we must remember that scientific centenaries carry additional agendas
Andrea Sella explains how inaction over Elon Musk’s membership motivated him to act
Study highlights need for mentorship and more inclusive networks
Understanding why individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are underrepresented in the chemical sciences
Argentinian start-up Apolo Biotech is teaching plants to fight infections
Work could aid conservation of Egyptian artefacts
The continuing adventures of John Thomas Way under the mercury-powered spotlight
Maintaining culture and investment is key, especially in the absence of incidents