Rachel Brazil
Rachel has been a freelance science writer for almost a decade.
Based in London, she writes for a variety of publications on scientific areas, including chemistry, materials science, biomedical and pharmaceutical science, and science and innovation policy.
Prior to this, she worked in a number of scientific organizations, including the RSC, the Royal Institution and the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (Nesta). From 2006–2010 she ran Nesta's national researcher development programme, Crucible. Focused on encouraging creativity and stimulating interdisciplinary encounters between early career researchers, Crucible has now been adopted by a number of UK Universities.
Rachel herself has an interdisciplinary academic background, with degrees in chemistry and a PhD in archaeological conservation. She is also a trainer for the British Council’s Researcher Connect programme, teaching in China, Russia and Mexico.
FeatureThe perchlorate Martian mystery
Rachel Brazil looks at how the compounds might have formed on our neighbouring planet and whether they could be useful for future exploration
FeatureAre hair relaxers damaging to health?
Different chemistries have been designed to turn curly hair straight, but in all cases questions remain about their safety, finds Rachel Brazil
CareersGiving technicians the recognition they deserve
Schemes such as the Technician Commitment are starting to address problems with authorship and career development
FeatureThe long-term energy storage challenge
In a renewably powered future, how will the grid cope when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing? Rachel Brazil looks at the options
FeatureThe messy chemistry that led to life
To understand how chemistry became biology, some chemists are eschewing simple reactions to study complex systems with many reactants and products. Rachel Brazil peers through the tangle
CareersAdvising on science policy at the House of Commons Library
Xameerah Malik helps MPs to navigate the science that influences policy
ResearchResidues from embalming vessels cast new light on ancient Egyptian mummification
Chemists reveal the compounds and sources of embalming treatments
CareersThe importance of mentoring networks for female scientists
Networks for female chemists are providing the missing mentorship that many hope will help women flourish in chemistry careers
FeatureUnwrapping ancient Egyptian chemistry
From mummification to metallurgy, Rachel Brazil looks at the impressive chemistry used by this ancient civilisation
CareersWork or study… or work and study?
How employers are helping employees to gain new qualifications, including PhDs
CareersBaking to perfection, with a pinch of chemistry
Katarina Cermelj’s training in synthesis informs how she develops new gluten-free recipes
FeatureSoil searching
Rachel Brazil talks to the scientists trying to understand – and improve – the health of the planet’s soil
NewsWellcome Trust’s anti-racism initiatives a failure
UK’s largest non-governmental science funder is ‘still an institutionally racist organisation’, admits director Jeremy Farrar
CareersThe many career benefits of apprenticeships
On-the-job training combined with a qualification provides apprentices with a solid first step on the scientific career ladder
NewsFears that the war in east of Ukraine could lead to deadly chemical disaster
Fierce fighting in the Donbas region has already resulted in the destruction of a number of chemical plants
FeatureIs synthetic petroleum the missing link in the route to net zero?
Weaning our economy off liquid fuels could be impossible, so can we make them without the carbon emissions? Rachel Brazil surveys the scene
OpinionElizabeth Fulhame, the 18th century chemistry pioneer who faded from history
More than 200 years ago, a female chemist introduced the concept of catalysis and made early steps towards photography. Rachel Brazil develops her story
FeatureThe secrets of the sulfur cycle
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the biogeochemical cycling of sulfur, and this could impact our ability to correctly model the climate. Rachel Brazil talks to the researchers trying to fill in the gaps.
