Chemistry Communication Leadership Institute

The field of chemistry faces formidable challenges in terms of public understanding.

We need to remove "the cloak of invisibility that often conceals the good performance of chemists and chemistry from public appreciation," says Bruce E. Bursten, Past President of the ACS.

Former ACS President Thomas H. Lane urged ACS members to "make a dent in the misperceptions surrounding chemistry, chemists, and chemicals."

This course responds to that need. It is a week-long intensive communication training experience for chemists developed with support from the National Science Foundation and the American Chemical Society.

The most effective strategies developed over the past decade in teaching communication to science students have been combined into this hands-on, intensive course. Sessions are led by a chemist and former reporter for Chemical & Engineering News in conjunction with nationally acclaimed communicators and science reporters. The format alternates short lecture and discussion periods with active exercises and communication activities so that participants can apply what they're learning.

Our goal is to provide chemists with the preparation they will need to serve as champions and ambassadors for chemistry and to mentor colleagues and others now in the pipeline to be tomorrow's chemistry communicators.

These same skills willl help chemists succeed in their scientific careers. They will be able to communicate more effectively about their research with

  • Granting agencies
  • Industry leaders
  • Administrators
  • Foundations and donors
  • Students
  • Community members
  • Policymakers
  • Journalists & media relations officers

Learn more about the program and outcomes of the 2009 Insititute.

Read about the 2009 Institute in Chemical & Engineering News.

Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.