Blogs

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

By Hannah McCarthy posted 4 days ago
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 5 days ago
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 18 days ago
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 23 days ago
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 30 days ago
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 ...

Inquiry into the extent, regulation and management of PFAS - Final Report

By Jenny Pham posted 21-11-2025
Inquiry into the extent, regulation and management of PFAS - Final Report Hi Members, Shared below is information that been received from the Australian Academy of Science – National Committee for Chemistry, which RACI President Prof. Amanda Ellis is a member of. Please see for your information: The final report from the Select Committee on PFAS regarding the inquiry into the extent, regulation and management of PFAS has been released. Please see the report here: Tabled documents | Document 13852 The Academy's submission ( found here ) recommended: Establishing a coordinated national monitoring ...

MEDIA RELEASE: RACI Expresses Deep Concern Over CSIRO Job Cuts and Their Impact on Australian Science

By Jenny Pham posted 19-11-2025
MEDIA RELEASE RACI Expresses Deep Concern Over CSIRO Job Cuts and Their Impact on Australian Science The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) is deeply concerned about the announcement that the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) will cut up to 350 research positions across the country. This decision, described by CSIRO as necessary for “long-term sustainability,” comes at a time when Australia urgently needs to strengthen, not diminish its scientific capability to address national and global challenges. While strategic prioritisation is important, the scale of these redundancies on top of several hundred ...

Tania’s Story: A Life in Chemistry, Courage, and Leadership

By Jenny Pham posted 14-11-2025
Leading with Courage and Chemistry: The Story of Tania Notaras I came to Australia from the former Yugoslavia when I was three years old. My parents, like many migrants, arrived with nothing but determination. They didn’t speak any English but started work the very next day. My mother, Mira, worked double shifts to get ahead. My father was an abusive alcoholic, and our home life was difficult. I learned early to protect my mum and to be independent. From those beginnings came the drive that has carried me through everything I’ve done since. Tania Notaras and her family By the time I was twelve, I had ...

RACI x Rebel Girls Project Now Live!

By Hannah McCarthy posted 14-11-2025
After nearly 18 months of planning, collaboration, and passion, I’m absolutely thrilled to share that the RACI x Rebel Girls project is officially live — and freely accessible to our members and the public! Many of you will have heard us mention this project over the past year and a half as we worked behind the scenes to bring it to life. This initiative is a powerful collaboration between the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and Rebel Girls , the global brand known for celebrating and empowering young audiences through storytelling. Together, we’ve created a collection of inspiring stories that shine a light on w omen with disabilities ...

Commonwealth Chemistry Webinar: Introduction to Intellectual Property

By Jenny Pham posted 23-10-2025
Commonwealth Chemistry Webinar: Introduction to Intellectual Property Join Commonwealth Chemistry for a free webinar on ‘Introduction to Intellectual Property’ on Monday 3rd November from 11:00 – 12:30 GMT/UTC . This Commonwealth Chemistry Early Career Network Committee are organising this event. Learnings This ‘Introduction to Intellectual Property’ webinar aims to provide an understanding of how IP supports innovation, creativity, and competitive advantage and will cover: the fundamentals of Intellectual Property (IP) and its main forms, including copyright, industrial design, trademarks and geographical indications, ...

Our Future Together: Unveiling the RACI Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030

By Jenny Pham posted 21-10-2025
Our Future Together: Unveiling the RACI Strategic Plan 2025 - 2030 The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) is proud to present its Strategic Plan for 2025–2030, a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen and advance the chemical sciences community in Australia. This plan builds on our commitment to supporting chemistry professionals across academia, industry, education, and government. It identifies strategic priorities that will enhance member value through increased connectivity, expanded resources, and collaborative opportunities tailored to meet the diverse needs of our membership. At the heart of the plan lies a vision ...

Call for nominees for Asian Chemical Editorial Society President.

By Jenny Pham posted 14-10-2025
Dear Member, The Asian Chemical Editorial Society (ACES) invites nominees from the RACI for the post of President of ACES. RACI is a member society of the ACES which publishes several international journals. To nominate for the post please send through a copy of your resume and a half page statement on why you believe you will be suitable for this role. These documents will be shared with the ACES selection committee who will be directly in contact with nominees, as necessary. Please send through your nominations to exec@raci.org.au . Please send through your nominations by 5pm Thursday 23 October . Late applications will not be considered. ...

Help Shape the Theme for the 2026 International Chemistry & Art Competition!

By Hannah McCarthy posted 07-10-2025
We’re already looking ahead to next year’s International Chemistry & Art Competition, and we want your ideas! This year, our theme was “What is chemistry to me?” , and it inspired some truly remarkable submissions from students around the world. For 2026, we’re seeking a theme that is broad enough to engage participants aged 5–19 , but still focused on chemistry — a theme that will spark imagination, creativity, and curiosity. This is your chance to contribute to one of RACI’s most exciting initiatives and help inspire the next generation of young scientists and artists. Share your theme suggestions in the comments below , and we’ll select ...

Experience Chemistry Through the Eyes of Children

By Hannah McCarthy posted 02-10-2025
This year marks the inaugural Children’s Round of the International Chemistry & Art Competition (ICAAC) , and we could not be more delighted with the response. With nearly 500 entries from young people aged 5–19 across the world , the creativity and thought that went into each submission has been nothing short of inspiring. The competition offered us a unique opportunity to see how chemistry is understood and expressed through the eyes of children. Entries included artworks exploring applied chemistry in everyday life, portraits of chemists both past and present (including a few Australian familiar faces!), self-portraits of students imagining ...

Expanding Global Reach: RACI Partners with Pear Academy for ICQ in India

By Hannah McCarthy posted 22-09-2025
The Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) is excited to announce a new international partnership with Pear Academy , an Australian–Indian organisation, who will serve as the sole authorised representative of the International Chemistry Quiz (ICQ) in India . This collaboration marks an important step forward for the ICQ as we continue to expand our reach and strengthen our global engagement. Pear Academy will work closely with RACI to deliver the ICQ to schools and students across India, creating new opportunities for young people to engage with chemistry and develop a deeper understanding of the role chemistry plays in everyday life. We look ...