Collections
Research culture
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.
Leadership
What’s wrong with research culture?
A knotty mess of problems affects people doing academic research in the UK. Rachel Brazil tries to untie the tangle
How to improve research culture
Five ways to make chemistry departments better places to work
How EPSRC fosters inclusion
The pandemic has provided valuable lessons for funders to rethink research culture
Support and wellbeing
Act now to support early-career researchers
The Covid-19 pandemic has further highlighted long-existing issues that leaders need to take a stance on
Mental wellbeing in academia
Not enough has been done to support students during the pandemic
Science and research ‘are dead’ in Afghanistan
Afghan researchers and scholars flee or go into hiding as the Taliban’s return to power sees the science academy and universities closed
UKRI response to Black female academics on funding decisions called inadequate
Pledge to improve understanding and monitoring of inequality comes a year after open letter was first published
Diverse cultures
In situ with Tebello Nyokong
The influential chemist on nurturing confidence in students and taking inspiration from the humanities
The science of team science
Researchers and funders are exploring ways to make large collaborative projects more successful
Science faction
Taking inspiration from nerd culture
Science as a product of culture
The role of background beliefs and assumptions in the development of science
Change at the top
Improving research culture requires effort – but it’s worth it
Impact of Covid-19
Let it go
We have to accept that we can’t catch up on time lost in lockdown
How Covid-19 has changed us
While the pandemic has introduced more efficient and global ways of working, researchers and educators still have challenges to overcome
Pandemic continues to disrupt and depress UK researchers, survey finds
Researchers reported spending more time on peer-review activities, teaching and writing
Leading a lab through pandemic-induced uncertainty
Emphathy is vital to support mentees effectively
Publishing
Depositing hope for the future
The rise of ChemRxiv might mean that chemists can tackle thornier cultural problems
Australian Research Council’s ban on preprints in grants prompts outcry
Move derided as ‘hopelessly outdated’ and a setback for open science by researchers
Chemists react to UK umbrella funding body’s new open access mandate
Agency aligns itself with principles of Plan S by insisting on immediate open access
Four years of chemistry preprints
Nina Notman takes stock of how preprint severs have settled into the chemistry community
OpinionThe simple machine that visualised atomic orbitals
In 1931, Harvey Elliott White developed a device that traced out the shapes of electron clouds by approximating solutions to the Schrödinger equation
ResearchReviving organobismuth chemistry
Despite its low cost and low toxicity, bismuth has found limited applications in organic synthesis. Liam Ball is working to change that
CareersNavigating parenthood and the return to the bench: A paternal perspective
Advice for how to combine fatherhood with a career in research
ResearchTale of Britain’s post-Roman economic crash overturned by ancient metal pollution discovery
Analysis points to metal-working industry continuing long after Romans left
FeatureFrom flying ointments to healing herbs: the forgotten chemistry behind historical witchcraft practices
The unusual concoctions of village witches have historically been dismissed as nonsense hocus pocus – but is this the whole story? Victoria Atkinson investigates the chemistry behind the myth and whether there was more to witchcraft than ritual and superstition
CareersComic book chemistry
The scientists using visual storytelling to communicate their work – and how you can do it too
OpinionAsk probing questions to work effectively in diverse teams
Sometimes, what you really want may not be what you say you want
NewsProposal to limit US student visa durations draws criticism
Academic groups warn that the proposed rule will deter talented researchers, harm the economy and add bureaucracy
OpinionWhat I learned from going back to university in my 30s
Advice for the young student (at heart)
OpinionThe conceptual challenge of consumer safety
Understanding causation can motivate product improvements
FeatureHow stable isotope analysis reveals what ancient humans and Neanderthals ate
Analytical chemistry can tell us what our ancestors ate thousands – or even millions – of years ago. Rachel Brazil gets her teeth into the evidence
OpinionI’m sorry, I’ve forgotten the words
The challenges of learning chemistry in your non-native language
CareersHow to use an individual development plan to advance your career
Four steps to assess your current position and set your goals
BusinessMerck & Co to cut 6000 jobs, Moderna to cut around 500
Both firms aiming to make significant reductions in annual costs by reorganising
CareersThe additional costs of visas
On top of the financial expense, applications and renewals are slowing scientific progress and damaging researcher mental health
NewsHow the extraordinary science of everyday items is bringing chemistry to the public
Three analytical chemists explain how turning powerful techniques towards ordinary objects inspires public engagement with science
OpinionWordle meets the periodic table: Five games to test your chemistry knowledge
Love Wordle and chemistry? Combine the two with these daily chemistry-themed word games
CareersEven in difficult times, leaders should inspire hope
Finding positives is a vital part of leadership
OpinionLearning about chemistry in prenatal class
Opportunities for infographics to contribute to health literacy
CareersHow I became the crossword compiler for Chemistry World
Paul Board has been setting Chemistry World’s crosswords for over 15 years. To celebrate the centenary of the (fully) cryptic crossword, he explains his crossword setting process and dissects some of his favourite science-based clues
OpinionNora de Leeuw: ‘Some of my best PhD students weren’t that great at passing exams’
The computational chemist on perspectives from outside academia and the importance of inquisitiveness
WebinarNature’s amazing chemistry: reflections on its complexity and diversity
Take a walk on the wild side to discover the wacky and wonderful chemical mysteries of the natural world