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Move derided as ‘hopelessly outdated’ and a setback for open science by researchers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
Why is it so controversial to do the right thing for the environment?
India looks to the future as survivors fight on to receive adequate compensation and medical care
Department closure follows series of similar proposals at UK universities
The 90-year-old colour chemist on overcoming discrimination and the three loves of her life; Latin, chemistry and Italian opera
Exploring an alternative to a traditional list of achievements
Rebecca Trager speaks to a US team developing a sign language lexicon for chemistry concepts that combines form with meaning to make the field more accessible for everyone
Asma Sheikh talks about growing up, discovering her passion for chemistry and being a teaching assistant
Maintaining a healthy chemistry pipeline requires affordable education and training routes
Death notices for chemists suggest perhaps not, despite the hazards found in many labs
We need to help more people break through the barriers of tight networks
More students in the UK are studying chemistry at A-level than 20 years ago, but how does that translate to universities?
When anxiety threatens, Phoenix is on hand to help
Mapping a spectrum of developments
Join us 14 February 2025 to discover the real-life chemistry that inspires the art of the silver screen
The father of green chemistry on his love of the environment, striving for unattainable perfection and breathing life into an old town library
The chemists who have achieved professional success by getting business and management degrees
Unless barriers are broken down, the future of the industry is unsustainable
The importance of the expert eye in scientific progress
Winners today come, on average, from less wealthy families than when the prize began but there is still a long way to go
82 Nobel laureates warn of the threat Donald Trump poses to science, climate and living standards
The drug delivery expert and multidisciplinary researcher on the importance of learning from failure and how a summer in a margarine factory influenced her career