Opinion
Willie May: ‘We need to find and support the “missing millions”’
The analytical chemist on growing up Black in Alabama in the 1950s and 1960s and his journey through NIST, academia and the AAAS presidency
Careers
Bridging the gap after submitting a PhD thesis
Finding ways to fund students as they search for jobs and complete lab work for publications
Opinion
The value of good software extends beyond its cost
Whether third-party or built in-house, thoughtful design and implementation can improve workflows and make science more inclusive
Opinion
I use storytelling to write great lab reports
A formal writeup of an experiment has much in common with a thrilling story
Opinion
I can’t believe it’s not…
The analytical techniques revealing the true identity of what you spread on your bread
Careers
From professional ballet dancer to quantum chemist
Creativity has been central to James Shee’s career across both art and science
Opinion
Paul Alivisatos: ‘Physical chemistry brought me back into the fold’
The nanomaterials pioneer talks about coming from a family of immigrants, wandering as an undergraduate and finding his compass
Opinion
Paneth’s mirrors and the isolation of methyl radicals
Laying the groundwork for the study of combustion and photochemical reactions
Highlights
Melanie Sanford’s route from college gymnast to groundbreaking researcher
One-time gymnast Melanie Sanford has made a name for herself in catalysis and organometallic chemistry. Rebecca Trager charts her path to success, from her mentors to her mentoring
20 years. 20 chemists. 20 stories. Part 2
How has chemistry changed in the last two decades?
The new signs bringing greater understanding to organic chemistry
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
The health of chemistry across the pipeline
More students in the UK are studying chemistry at A-level than 20 years ago, but how does that translate to universities?
How AI protein structure prediction and design won the Nobel prize
David Baker, Demis Hassabis and John Jumper won this year’s Nobel prize in chemistry. Jamie Durrani investigates the origins of a biochemistry revolution
Analysis reveals ethnic minority applicants’ grant success rates still lower
Engineering and physical sciences’ review panels in UK more likely to award white researchers
News
American Chemical Society diversity programme comes under attack
Lawsuit argues that ACS’ Scholars Program discriminates against white and Asian applicants
Opinion
Classifications, racial discrimination and Covid-19
Lessons with philosophical significance for how we group people and objects
Opinion
Scientific institutions have a long history of anticipatory obedience
Societies should learn from this and speak up to support inclusion
Opinion
Donna Nelson: ‘Being the science advisor to Breaking Bad was so much fun’
The well-known organic chemist on growing up in a small Oklahoma town, asking demographic questions and advising a hit television series
Careers
New UKRI terms do more to acknowledge the diversity of PhD researchers
But further stipend increases are needed to fully widen access to doctoral study
Mary Sherman Morgan: The best kept secret in the space race
Anna Demming reveals the scientist who invented the fuel that powered the first US satellite into orbit, yet died with barely a trace on record of her achievements
Martin Gouterman: the gay man behind the four-orbital model
Abhik Ghosh tells the story of a porphyrin chemist who was a leading figure in Seattle’s gay rights movement of the 1960s
William Knox, the only Black supervisor in the Manhattan Project
The story of the Knox family is one of education overcoming adversity, finds Kit Chapman
Willie May: ‘We need to find and support the “missing millions”’
The analytical chemist on growing up Black in Alabama in the 1950s and 1960s and his journey through NIST, academia and the AAAS presidency
Paul Alivisatos: ‘Physical chemistry brought me back into the fold’
The nanomaterials pioneer talks about coming from a family of immigrants, wandering as an undergraduate and finding his compass
Jon-Paul Griffiths: ‘Starting a small company is a phenomenal experience’
The chief technology officer of Oxeco on spinning out, supporting entrepreneurs and the difficulties of identifying a market
I use storytelling to write great lab reports
A formal writeup of an experiment has much in common with a thrilling story
Forming bonds through Covid-19
How studying chemistry helped ward off loneliness during the pandemic
Exploring the origins of our chemical terms
A chemical by any other name would smell as sweet
Quick chemistry crossword #082
Knowledge of Nobel laureates and inventors will stand you in good stead for this chemistry puzzle
Chemistry wordoku #090
This puzzle could help relieve high blood pressure…
Cryptic chemistry crossword #082
Hot aircon? Broken timer! Can you solve this cryptic crossword?
Cryptic chemistry crossword #081
’Old English bilge about person owed’ and other fiendish clues
Opinion
Classifications, racial discrimination and Covid-19
Lessons with philosophical significance for how we group people and objects
Opinion
The moral theories behind climate deadlock
Why is it so controversial to do the right thing for the environment?
Opinion
Did AI just win the Nobel prizes in physics and chemistry?
The importance of the expert eye in scientific progress
Opinion
How much science should there be in philosophy?
A debate about metaphysics that’s crucial to how we understand the world
Opinion
Proteins’ shape and function are two sides of the same coin
A new perspective on the relationship between chemistry and biology
Opinion
There’s more to alchemy than its mystical nature
It was crucial to the development of chemistry
Opinion
The nuances of chemical confirmation
Supporting a hypothesis is more difficult than it might seem
Opinion
Vogel’s textbooks and their international impact on teaching
A shared reference that we risk losing in a digital age
Opinion
Super-powered science
Screaming fans excited about your research, the Sharpie on your lanyard for signing autographs – wouldn’t that be nice?
Opinion
Paneth’s mirrors and the isolation of methyl radicals
Laying the groundwork for the study of combustion and photochemical reactions
News
Eleven chemists who have been honoured with a blue plaque
Celebrating the link between historic figures and the buildings they lived and worked in
News
Blue plaque honours founder of the Chemical Society set up 185 years ago
Historical sign commemorates Robert Warington’s life with tribute at his home
Opinion
Scientific institutions have a long history of anticipatory obedience
Societies should learn from this and speak up to support inclusion
Opinion
Donna Nelson: ‘Being the science advisor to Breaking Bad was so much fun’
The well-known organic chemist on growing up in a small Oklahoma town, asking demographic questions and advising a hit television series
Careers
Bridging the gap after submitting a PhD thesis
Finding ways to fund students as they search for jobs and complete lab work for publications
Opinion
The value of good software extends beyond its cost
Whether third-party or built in-house, thoughtful design and implementation can improve workflows and make science more inclusive
Careers
Hidden from view: being a scientific advisor for the emergency services
Stephen Yao’s expertise helps the emergency services deal with chemical incidents
News
‘A mix of amazement, pure joy and relief’: chemists reflect on their Eureka moments
Cultivating your surroundings and work practices can make your own Eureka moment more likely
Opinion
Chemists amid coronavirus five years on
Rebecca Trager catches up with four chemists to see how their working lives have changed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic
Opinion
Chemists amid coronavirus five years on: Krystle McLaughlin
An assistant chemistry professor at a small college in New York gets her career back on track, thanks to a tenure clock extension and teaching release
Opinion
I use storytelling to write great lab reports
A formal writeup of an experiment has much in common with a thrilling story
Careers
Does gamification have a place in chemistry education?
Escape rooms, murder mysteries and virtual reality are being used to try to make the subject more attractive to students
Careers
How Lisa Alford inspires students and celebrates technicians
She was awarded the Royal Society’s 2024 Hauksbee award in recognition of her extraordinary achievements ‘behind the scenes’
Opinion
Take part in the #ChemistryConversations challenge
Will you share your enthusiasm for chemistry with more non-chemists?
Feature
The new signs bringing greater understanding to organic chemistry
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
News
Online archive of Humphry Davy’s notebooks opens to the public
Historic collection is the result of a five-year long citizen science project