Good chemistry

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.