Communicating Chemistry Landscape Study

The National Research Council’s (NRC) Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology (BCST) and Board on Science Education (BOSE) received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a framework for effective chemistry communication, outreach, and education in informal settings, with the ultimate goal of increasing the effectiveness of such efforts in engaging the public with chemistry. BCST and BOSE are assembling a committee of experts to execute this work. To support their efforts, BCST and BOSE also commissioned this landscape study, which serves as background for the committee. This study aims to describe how and where chemistry is presented to the public, as well as identify the theories and rationales that guide such efforts. It identifies barriers and opportunities in communicating chemistry, and synthesizes the recommendations that have been made to date to address them.