Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry

Siu Yee New; Mei-Hung Chiu

doi:10.1515/ci-2025-0433

Artikel Open Access

Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry

Siu Yee New
Siu Yee New <SiuYee.New@nottingham.edu.my> is Associate professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia; orcid.org/0000-0003-4392-3852
und Mei-Hung Chiu
Mei-Hung Chiu is a Distinguished Professor of Science Education at the Graduate Institute of Science Education of the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU); orcid.org/0000-0002-4783-8471

Veröffentlicht/Copyright: 29. Oktober 2025

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The issue of gender has been highlighted as one of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. To further raise public and policymakers’ awareness, the IUPAC World Chemistry Congress 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, organized an SDG5 (Gender Equality) symposium. The event brought together participants and experts to exchange ideas and share actions aimed at reducing gender disparity, while promoting inclusion, diversity, and equality.

The SDG5 symposium convened a vibrant and diverse group of scientists, educators, and leaders to explore how chemistry can serve as a catalyst for gender equality and inclusive innovation. Titled “Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry,” the session attracted strong participation and featured dynamic, engaging Q&A discussions that encouraged open dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Rethinking Leadership and Redefining Success

Speakers emphasized that advancing gender equality in chemistry demands systemic change—reimagining who leads, who participates, and how success is defined. Josephine Tsang (Chemical Institute of Canada) called for a transformation in scientific culture through inclusive leadership and allyship, urging institutions to amplify underrepresented voices and build equitable frameworks that support resilience in the sciences. Javier García-Martínez (University of Alicante) introduced IUPAC’s initiative to establish Guiding Principles for Responsible Chemistry [1], grounded in ethics, diversity, and inclusion. He stressed that chemistry must align with societal goals and embed equity across research, education, and public engagement.

Mentorship and Visibility: Building Inclusive Communities

The symposium highlighted the importance of mentorship and visibility in supporting women and underrepresented groups in STEM. Chao-Ping Hsu (Academia Sinica, Taiwan) shared three impactful initiatives: the Women in Science & Technology (WiST) Convention, the NSTC Career and Gender Equality Workshop, and a Mentor-Mentee program launched by the Taiwan Chemical Society—all aimed at strengthening professional networks, fostering thematic discussions, and supporting junior chemists.

From left, Nurul Huda (Universiti Kebangsaan, Malaysia; SDG5 Symposium organizing committee), Zuriati Zakaria (Institut Kimia, Malaysia), Mei-Hung Chiu (National Taiwan National University), and Siu Yee New (University of Nottingham, Malaysia)

Keynote speaker Frances Separovic (University of Melbourne) discussed Australia’s Women in STEM Decadal Plan and the STEM Women Global directory, which enhances visibility and career progression. She also introduced a mentoring program launched in 2024 that connects early-career researchers from low-income countries with experienced mentors worldwide.

Inclusive Education and Equitable Access

Education emerged as a central theme, with calls to develop inclusive curricula and accessible learning environments. Mustafa Sözbilir (Atatürk University, Türkiye) presented inclusive strategies for blind and low-vision (BLV) students, including adapted lab activities and 3D-printed materials. His work demonstrated how simple, cost-effective modifications can enhance learning and motivation for visually impaired students.

Ghada Bassioni (SEU Egypt) emphasized the role of inclusive education strategies in promoting gender equality. She advocated for chemistry curricula that feature diverse role models and for workshops focused on leadership and communication skills tailored to women in chemistry. She also emphasized the importance of internships and hands-on research opportunities for female students.

Chemistry for Climate and Community

The intersection of sustainability and gender equity was compellingly illustrated by Rozzeta Dolah (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia), who introduced the metaphorical shift from a “Periodic Table” to an “Equal Table.” Her work on MIZU Paint and ZetaTech™ nanocarbon coatings demonstrated how green chemistry innovations can address environmental challenges while empowering women scientists and entrepreneurs.

Global Perspectives, Shared Challenges

Jane Catherine Ngila (University of Johannesburg) provided insights into the African context, outlining how digital divides and systemic barriers deepen gender gaps in STEM. She highlighted policy frameworks and success stories from the continent that showcase how inclusive science, technology, and innovation (STI) ecosystems can contribute to multiple SDGs.

Tracey Peter and collaborators (University of Manitoba, with partners in Sweden and Germany) presented cross-national research on how workplace incivility and perceptions of inequity contribute to emotional exhaustion and attrition among women in STEM. Their findings underscore the urgent need for supportive workplace cultures and institutional reforms.

From left Supawan Tantayanon (Thailand, newly elected member of the IUPAC Executive Board), Sieng Huy (Cambodge), Zuriati Zakaria (Malaysia), Ale Palermo (UK, member of the IUPAC Science Board)

Attendees of the “Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry” event at IUPAC2025

A Call to Action

The symposium concluded with a collective commitment to embed ethics, equity, and inclusion into the core of chemical research, education, and leadership. The engaging Q&A session reflected the enthusiasm and urgency among participants to collaborate across borders and disciplines. Chemistry, as the speakers affirmed, must not only solve technical problems but also contribute to a more just and sustainable world.

These efforts build on IUPAC’s long-standing commitment to equity, reflected in initiatives such as the Global Women’s Breakfast [2], the Gender Gap in Chemistry project [3], and the Distinguished Women in Chemistry Award [4]. By linking the symposium outcomes to these global initiatives, the chemistry community strengthens its collective efforts to embed diversity, equity, and inclusion into the heart of scientific progress.

https://iupac.org/what-we-do/awards/iupac-distinguished-women/

About the authors

Siu Yee New

Siu Yee New <SiuYee.New@nottingham.edu.my> is Associate professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia; orcid.org/0000-0003-4392-3852

Mei-Hung Chiu

Mei-Hung Chiu is a Distinguished Professor of Science Education at the Graduate Institute of Science Education of the National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU); orcid.org/0000-0002-4783-8471

References

1. IUPAC Guiding Principles of Responsible Chemistry https://iupac.org/responsible-chemistry/ (viewed 18 Aug 2025)Suche in Google Scholar

2. IUPAC Global Women’s Breakfast https://iupac.org/gwb/Suche in Google Scholar

3. IUPAC project The Gender Gap in Chemistry – Building on the ISC Gender Gap Project https://iupac.org/project/2020-016-3-020/Suche in Google Scholar

4. IUPAC Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical EngineeringSuche in Google Scholar

Published Online: 2025-10-29

Published in Print: 2025-10-01

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