Chemistry without borders: An overview

Authors: Cheng, Huai; Rimando, Agnes; MILLER, BRADLEY - American Chemical Society; SCHMIDT, DIANE - University Of Cincinnati

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/9/2016
Publication Date: 8/17/2016
Citation: Cheng, H.N., Rimando, A.M., Miller, B.D., Schmidt, D.G. 2016. Chemistry without borders: An overview. In: Cheng, H.N., Rimando, A.M., Miller, B.D., Schmidt, D.G., editors. Chemistry without borders: An overview. ACS Symposium Series, Washington, DC: American Chemical Society. p. 1-13.

Interpretive Summary: Globalization has a major impact on the scientific enterprise in the U.S., affecting job availability, research and educational opportunities, innovation, and business activities. This article provides an overview of the challenges and opportunities posed by globalization and serves as the lead article on an ACS book on “Chemistry without Borders: Careers, Research, and Entrepreneurship.” A summary is given of the perspectives and suggestions of a large number of scientific and organizational leaders, who contributed chapters to the book. Topics covered include educational curricula for the scientists of the future, skills and competencies needed for global scientists, trends and drivers for scientific innovation and entrepreneurship, and the role of ACS in providing appropriate resources and promoting internationalization. This article (and the book) will be useful to scientists who are interested in improving future educational and career opportunities or engaging in innovation and entrepreneurship activities.

Technical Abstract: As chemistry becomes more globalized, it is important for an organization to be interconnected and adaptable, and for an individual to keep up with changes and latest scientific findings and keep options open. Many of the challenges and the opportunities of globalization are in the areas of jobs, research, education, and innovation. It is useful to know what knowledge and skill sets are needed for the jobs in the future, whether students are properly trained for the globalized environment, and if we have the chemical workforce needed to satisfy future needs. A related question involves innovation and entrepreneurship, because they are the key engines for future economic growth. It is useful to know what the global trends and drivers for entrepreneurship and innovation are, and what factors accelerate and hinder international entrepreneurship and innovation in chemistry. An overview is provided in this article, summarizing the perspectives from some of the experts in global chemistry research, education, and entrepreneurship. These experts were invited speakers at two ACS presidential symposia in 2015, and they contributed chapters to this book. To support ACS global interests, ACS International Activities Committee and ACS Office of International Activities have been working hard to advocate, catalyze, initiate, and implement ACS activities, conferences, and initiatives pertaining to international education, research, scientific understanding and appreciation of chemistry. For the benefit of readers, a summary is also given in this article of some of the current ACS activities in the international arena.