Blogs

Foundations Maintained, but Concerns for Future R&D Capacity

By Jenny Pham posted yesterday
Foundations Maintained, but Concerns for Future R&D Capacity The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) acknowledges the Federal Government’s continued investment in education, science and innovation in the 2026–27 Budget, while raising concerns about the long-term impact on Australia’s research and development capability. The Budget maintains investment in science, skills and engagement and signals support for reform and better coordination across the research system, including through the establishment of the National Resilience and Science Council. However, it also includes savings measures affecting the research and commercialisation ...

Understanding Concepts Taught Commonly across Science

By Jenny Pham posted 2 days ago
Understanding Concepts Taught Commonly across Science Oxidation reduction (redox) reactions and elevation of boiling point are two key topics discussed here, but concerns occur whenever fundamental units are changed (like from imperial to metric). When teaching concepts change approach, care is needed to ensure there are no errors in revised formats. Undergraduate texts like Vogal and Ewing taught redox reactions and by convention prior to the 1970s, authors chose reduction equations (M x+ ---> M (x-n)+ + ne). However, the associated Nernst equation taught was in the form E = E o + 0.0591/n*log [ox]/[red] with E o being the ...

CO₂ Isn’t the Only Driver: What the Climate Change Debate Leaves Out

By Jenny Pham posted 27 days ago
CO₂ Isn’t the Only Driver: What the Climate Change Debate Leaves Out As a youngster first getting about and joining the social world, others suggested avoid religion and politics when joining in conversations, saying it would be safer to merely chat about the weather. For about the last 30 years climate change has become a topic of interest to many. Increasingly, this has become a topic that can develop into arguments, so chatting about the weather is less advisable. Initially global warming caused by human activity was the concern quoted, however quantitating this requires numerous readings to measure on a global scale. ...

Have your say - RACI Policy Priorities

By Jenny Pham posted 13-04-2026
Have your say Help shape RACI’s policy priorities and advocacy focus by completing a short survey. Your input will guide where we focus our efforts, support opportunities for funding, and help deliver outcomes that benefit you and the chemical sciences. This survey is only open to RACI members. >> Access Survey Here << Join the RACI and make your voice heard >> Not A Member? Join Now!! #Feature #News

Have your say

By Jenny Pham posted 13-04-2026
Have your say Help shape RACI’s policy priorities and advocacy focus by completing a short survey. Your input will guide where we focus our efforts, support opportunities for funding, and help deliver outcomes that benefit you and the chemical sciences. This survey is only open to RACI members. >> Access Survey Here << Join the RACI and make your voice heard Not A Member? Join Now!! #News #Feature

RACI welcomes ‘Ambitious Australia’ report

By Jenny Pham posted 17-03-2026
RACI welcomes ‘ Ambitious Australia ’ report The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) welcomes the release of ‘ Ambitious Australia – Strategic Examination of R&D ’, a landmark report calling for bold, systemic reform to secure Australia’s long‑term prosperity through a stronger, more coordinated research, development and innovation (RD&I) system. The expert panel behind the report is clear that Australia must move beyond incremental adjustments to an increasingly fragmented RD&I system and instead commit to a focused national strategy that lifts foundational research, accelerates translation and strengthens industry ...

STEM She Leads: Mapping Futures with Sandra Flores‑Castillo

By Jenny Pham posted 17-03-2026
STEM She Leads: Mapping Futures with Sandra Flores‑Castillo What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM? My interest in STEM began in high school, when I participated in MnDOT’s Phoenix Internship Program. It was my first exposure to a professional work environment and to the real-world impact of science, engineering, and transportation. Working at the Materials and Road Research Lab showed me that STEM careers aren’t just technical, they’re deeply connected to public service. As I continued through MnDOT’s Career Pathway Programs, especially Seeds and MnROW, I discovered my passion for mapping, GIS, and photogrammetry. Seeing ...

RACI STEM She Leads: Helen Evans-Lemmo Breaking Barriers & Building Solutions

By Jenny Pham posted 13-03-2026
RACI STEM She Leads: Helen Evans-Lemmo Breaking Barriers & Building Solutions What inspired you to pursue a career in STEM? I was fortunate to grow up in a household where my parents instilled in me the belief that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. From an early age, I gravitated more toward Lego sets and building blocks than traditional "girls' toys," drawn to activities that encouraged creativity and problem-solving. In high school, I was lucky to have one of those rare, truly inspirational science teachers who nurtured my curiosity and encouraged me to explore the world through a scientific lens. Their influence ...

The United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme

By Jenny Pham posted 11-03-2026
The United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme Registration is now open for the United Nations Chemicals and Waste Management Study Programme , a 5-day in-person immersion in Geneva , delivered by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). This flagship programme offers participants a unique opportunity to engage directly with the global institutions shaping international chemicals and waste policy , while gaining first-hand exposure to multilateral environmental governance in a UN hub. Why participate? Hosted in Geneva – a global centre for chemicals and waste ...

🌟 Introducing the Judges for the 2026 International Chemistry & Art Competition

By Hannah McCarthy posted 16-02-2026
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute is pleased to announce the judging panel for the 2026 International Chemistry & Art Competition (ICAAC) . This year’s theme— “Chemistry powering our planet” —invites young people to explore and celebrate the central role chemistry plays in sustaining and transforming our world. Our diverse panel brings together leading educators, scientists, communicators and artists who are united by a shared passion for expanding public engagement with chemistry. 🔬 Sarah Chapman A champion for STEM equity, Sarah Chapman is the founder of STEM Changemakers and the Townsville STEM Hub , initiatives that ...

Celebrating International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Creating Space for Every Future Chemist

By Hannah McCarthy posted 11-02-2026
Each year on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we pause to recognise the extraordinary women and girls who are shaping the future of chemistry and scientific discovery — in our classrooms, laboratories, industries, and communities. Across Australia and around the world, women in science are leading innovation, tackling global challenges, mentoring the next generation, and redefining what leadership in STEM looks like. Their impact is not only measured in breakthroughs and research, but in the doors they open for others to follow. At the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, we believe that when girls can see themselves represented ...

Invitation to Join Our School & Teacher Laboratory Tour Directory

By Hannah McCarthy posted 09-02-2026
Dear Members, Following feedback from secondary school chemistry teachers, we are inviting organisations to join a new initiative designed to connect schools with industry and laboratories across the country. Our goal is to help teachers and students gain hands-on experience, insight into real-world chemistry, and exposure to professional careers in STEM . By being part of our School & Teacher Tour Directory , your organisation can: Showcase your workplace to students and educators eager to learn about chemistry (or science more broadly) in action. Support professional development for teachers through behind-the-scenes tours and engagement ...

National Skills Shortage Survey for Laboratory Technicians

By Jenny Pham posted 27-01-2026
National Skills Shortage Survey for Laboratory Technicians The Occupation Shortage List (OSL), produced by Jobs and Skills Australia, provides a list of occupations in shortage at the national level and in each state and territory. Insights from this list can also inform advice to government on labour market policies and programs, including financial incentives offered to employers for training their staff! LTT encourages all of our employers to complete the survey so that your industry insights are counted and heard. Occupation Shortage Definition Jobs and Skills Australia defines an occupation as being in shortage when employers ...

Sustainability in Chemistry: Australian Innovations

By Jenny Pham posted 22-01-2026
Sustainability in Chemistry: Australian Innovations Chemistry plays a pivotal role in addressing the pressing challenges of a carbon-constrained world, particularly through sustainable practices that minimise environmental impact while maximising resource efficiency. The 2026 RACI National Congress , themed " Enabling Innovation in a Carbon-Constrained World ," features seven key sessions that mirror these priorities: Water Security, Earth History, Climate and Environment, Future Energy, Advanced Manufacturing, Transforming Food and Health, Quantum, Modelling and Machine Learning, and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage . Australian ...

Update on the RACI Careers Centre

By Jenny Pham posted 15-01-2026
Update on the RACI Careers Centre Dear members, We would like to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, the organisation supporting the RACI Careers Centre is no longer able to continue its support. As a result, the Careers Centre has been taken down. RACI remains committed to supporting members and organisations wishing to promote job opportunities within the chemistry community. Job advertisements will continue to be accepted through our previous process using the WuFoo submission form, available on our Career Development page below. We appreciate your understanding as we work to identify an alternative ...

The Abbott Legacy: Two Generations Advancing Australia's Chemical Sciences with the RACI

By Jenny Pham posted 07-01-2026
The Abbott Legacy: Two Generations Advancing Australia's Chemical Sciences with the RACI Clifford Arthur Abbott The Abbott RACI story begins with Clifford Arthur Abbott, who was born in Adelaide in 1892 and graduated from the SA School of Mines and Industries in 1912, and was granted Associateship in Metallurgy in 1914 after the required two years practical experience. He worked in the WA eastern gold fields at Norseman, Southern Cross, and Bullfinch. While at Bullfinch in 1916 he volunteered to join a contingent of chemists put together by the Australian Government to help the war effort in UK. Hence in 1917 he found himself at the munitions ...

Correcting Conceptual Errors

By Jenny Pham posted 06-01-2026
Correcting Conceptual Errors Teachers have an important task to pass on scientific or mathematical concepts free from conceptual errors.  From personal experience, teaching is most effective when progressing from known to unknown one step at a time and it follows that each step needs to be conceptually correct, otherwise it becomes an increasingly difficult task to undo misconceptions.   We all have a tendency to recall new concepts as first taught thus correcting errors for long term memory needs repeated determined efforts.  Entrenched conceptual errors have a history of limiting advances in science.  Two chemistry areas where I have found this are ...

Connecting Chemistry with People: A Year in Review for RACI’s Education, Careers & Outreach Unit (2025)

By Hannah McCarthy posted 16-12-2025
2025 has been a year of growth, creativity, and global connection for RACI’s Education, Careers and Outreach Unit — a unit of just two people, driven by one powerful purpose: connecting chemistry with people . From classrooms and laboratories to galleries and global stages, this year has shown what’s possible when education, inclusion, and community sit at the heart of everything we do. Here’s a snapshot of what we achieved together in 2025. Investing in Impact Thanks to the incredible support of partners across government, industry, and universities , we secured more than $358,000 in sponsorship and grants across our education and outreach ...

Introducing the RACI Resource Library: your one‑stop hub for chemistry content

By Jenny Pham posted 08-12-2025
Introducing the RACI Resource Library: your one‑stop hub for chemistry content Staying current in the chemical sciences should not mean trawling through multiple platforms or inboxes. The new RACI Resource Library brings the latest news, recorded webinars, chemistry articles, and member stories together in one easy‑to‑navigate space, exclusively for the chemistry community.​ At a glance, members can move between sections featuring Member Spotlights, original chemistry articles, and organisation news, alongside a growing collection of Australian‑authored publications co‑created with partners. This makes it easier to keep up with developments ...

Championing Inclusion in Chemistry: International Day of Persons with Disabilities

By Hannah McCarthy posted 03-12-2025
Today, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities , we pause to reflect on the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and representation across Chemistry and the broader STEM community. These are more than principles — they’re essential foundations for a future where innovation can truly flourish. At the RACI, we are proud to continue this work through our RACI x Rebel Girls project , an initiative that highlights the stories of remarkable women in STEM, including trailblazers with disabilities whose contributions are reshaping our field. Their experiences, challenges, and achievements remind us that the strength of Chemistry, and stem ...