Chemophobia and the chemist's mindset: the quest for a new legitimacy of chemistry

Kód výsledku v IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11310%2F25%3A10510105" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11310/25:10510105 - isvavai.cz</a>

Výsledek na webu

<a href="https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=yYNEYR.hKZ" target="_blank" >https://verso.is.cuni.cz/pub/verso.fpl?fname=obd_publikace_handle&handle=yYNEYR.hKZ</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00706-025-03354-0" target="_blank" >10.1007/s00706-025-03354-0</a>

Jazyk výsledku

angličtina

Název v původním jazyce

Chemophobia and the chemist's mindset: the quest for a new legitimacy of chemistry

Popis výsledku v původním jazyce

In this article, we address the growing challenge of chemophobia-an irrational fear of chemicals and chemistry-that deeply affects not only science education and public trust, but also the identity of chemists themselves. We examine how cultural narratives, educational gaps, and misinformation contribute to this phenomenon, which has led to a significant decline in chemistry enrollment and a worrying shortage of chemistry teachers across Europe. Based on recent studies and our own reflections, we argue that tackling chemophobia requires more than just correcting misconceptions. It demands a renewed commitment from within the chemical community. We therefore introduce the concept of the chemist&apos;s mindset-a dynamic framework that unites scientific rigor with imagination, perseverance, and the courage to engage with society. Through the example of Louis Pasteur, we illustrate how this mindset can become a catalyst for change-not only in laboratories but in public discourse and cultural understanding. Pasteur&apos;s legacy reminds us that chemistry must be both precise and visible, both technical and human. To reclaim chemistry&apos;s legitimacy, we believe chemists must communicate not only data but meaning, not only discoveries but stories. Our goal is to help redefine the public role of chemists in the twenty-first century-as credible, empathetic, and imaginative contributors to solving global challenges. It is time to embody chemistry in its fullest sense: as a science of transformation and as a force of trust. Ultimately, chemists must become not just discoverers, but visible and credible actors in the public sphere.

Název v anglickém jazyce

Chemophobia and the chemist's mindset: the quest for a new legitimacy of chemistry

Popis výsledku anglicky

In this article, we address the growing challenge of chemophobia-an irrational fear of chemicals and chemistry-that deeply affects not only science education and public trust, but also the identity of chemists themselves. We examine how cultural narratives, educational gaps, and misinformation contribute to this phenomenon, which has led to a significant decline in chemistry enrollment and a worrying shortage of chemistry teachers across Europe. Based on recent studies and our own reflections, we argue that tackling chemophobia requires more than just correcting misconceptions. It demands a renewed commitment from within the chemical community. We therefore introduce the concept of the chemist&apos;s mindset-a dynamic framework that unites scientific rigor with imagination, perseverance, and the courage to engage with society. Through the example of Louis Pasteur, we illustrate how this mindset can become a catalyst for change-not only in laboratories but in public discourse and cultural understanding. Pasteur&apos;s legacy reminds us that chemistry must be both precise and visible, both technical and human. To reclaim chemistry&apos;s legitimacy, we believe chemists must communicate not only data but meaning, not only discoveries but stories. Our goal is to help redefine the public role of chemists in the twenty-first century-as credible, empathetic, and imaginative contributors to solving global challenges. It is time to embody chemistry in its fullest sense: as a science of transformation and as a force of trust. Ultimately, chemists must become not just discoverers, but visible and credible actors in the public sphere.

Druh

J_imp - Článek v periodiku v databázi Web of Science

CEP obor

—

OECD FORD obor

60301 - Philosophy, History and Philosophy of science and technology

Projekt

—

Návaznosti

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Rok uplatnění

2025

Kód důvěrnosti údajů

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Název periodika

Monatshefte für Chemie - Chemical Monthly

ISSN

0026-9247

e-ISSN

1434-4475

Svazek periodika

156

Číslo periodika v rámci svazku

10

Stát vydavatele periodika

AT - Rakouská republika

Počet stran výsledku

7

Strana od-do

987-993

Kód UT WoS článku

001541840200001

EID výsledku v databázi Scopus

2-s2.0-105012367527