Good chemistry
There are all sorts of ways chemists can use their skills to aid global development, writes Josh Howgego
By the time I’m old enough to forget my grandchildren’s names I would like to be able to say I’ve done some good in this world. Maybe you feel the same? If so, I have good news for you: you’ve chosen your specialism well. Chemistry can change the world for the better.
I know this because after several years in university chemical laboratories, I switched careers and became a science journalist. And, somehow, I have found myself writing a lot about how science, including chemistry, plays a part in the growth of developing nations. So if you’ve ever felt a vague sense that you’d like to do something meaningful with your scientific career – well, you can. There are several ways you can go about it – and a few pitfalls to avoid.
Josh Howgego looks at four ways in which chemists are making the world a better place.
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