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Chemistry for a Fairer, Safer, and More Sustainable World

  • Helen Pain, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Chemistry
Published/Copyright: October 29, 2025
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Chemistry International
From the journal Chemistry International Volume 47 Issue 4

Public trust in science—especially chemistry—is more vital than ever said Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry in her talk. She says chemistry lies at the heart of the materials we use, the medicines we depend on, and the solutions we seek for today’s challenges. But it’s not just the science that matters—it’s how society perceives and interacts with it.

Pain emphasized that chemistry must serve the public good. Ethical considerations now shape both research priorities and regulatory frameworks, especially in areas such as sustainability and chemical safety. Chemistry cannot be divorced from the societal values it impacts.

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) is actively ensuring that chemistry contributes meaningfully to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes advancing ethical standards, influencing chemical policy, and fostering global equity in science. A key part of this mission is expanding opportunities in the Global South through initiatives like the Pan Africa Chemistry Network and support for early-career researchers.

Inclusivity is another cornerstone of the RSC’s vision. From gender and ethnicity to disability and socioeconomic background, the RSC is working to dismantle barriers within the field. By supporting inclusive education and research, they aim to broaden participation and harness the full potential of diverse talent.

Pain’s message is clear: chemistry is not just a technical discipline—it’s a force for justice, safety, and sustainability. But to fulfill that potential, it must be guided by care, collaboration, and conscience. Through ethical practice and inclusive engagement, chemistry can build a world that is not only more advanced—but also more equitable.

About the author

Helen Pain

Helen Pain, Chief Executive, Royal Society of Chemistry

Published Online: 2025-10-29
Published in Print: 2025-10-01

©2025 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Can the “Right to Science” Restore Public Trust?
  2. The Future of Science in the Digital Age: Chemistry at a Crossroads
  3. Chemistry for a Fairer, Safer, and More Sustainable World
  4. Science at a Crossroads: Restoring Integrity and Public Trust
  5. Building Trust in Science: A Two-Way Commitment
  6. Science: A Truth Worth Defending
  7. Science Under Siege: Confronting the Hydra’s Many Heads
  8. Masthead - Full issue pdf
  9. Past President’s Column
  10. Chemistry at the Crossroads: Enabling Solutions for a Changing World
  11. Features
  12. IUPAC’s 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
  13. Preventing spread of chemical weapons in an era of rapid technological change
  14. Why think philosophically about chemistry?
  15. Spotlight on IUPAC Young Observers
  16. Spotlight on IUPAC U.S. Young Observers
  17. IUPAC Wire
  18. IUPAC Launches Global Call to Action for Responsible Chemistry
  19. IUPAC Announces the 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
  20. Actions Taken by IUPAC Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 2025
  21. Recognising Excellence: CCE 2026 Awards—Call for Nominations
  22. 2026 IUPAC-Richter Prize—Call for Nominations
  23. 2026 IUPAC–Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry—Call for Nominations
  24. 2026 IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists—Call for Applicants
  25. Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education—Call for Papers
  26. Special issue IYQ in PAC
  27. In Memoriam
  28. Project Place
  29. Terminology for Dynamic Polymer Networks and Hydrogels
  30. Systems Thinking, Sustainability and Chemical Industry
  31. Small-Scale Chemistry Initiative in India
  32. Making an imPACt
  33. Definitions and preferred symbols for mass diffusion coefficients in multicomponent fluid mixtures including electrolytes (IUPAC Technical Report)
  34. IUPAC/CITAC guide: interlaboratory comparison of categorical characteristics of a substance, material, or object (IUPAC Technical Report)
  35. Blockchain technology: driving change in the scientific research workflow
  36. IUPAC Provisional Recommendations
  37. Basic Classification and Definitions of Polymerization Reactions
  38. Conference Call
  39. IUPAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur Opened with Focus on Sustainability and Excellence
  40. Restoring Trust in Science: A Global Imperative
  41. Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry
  42. Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future
  43. Advancing Scientific Terminology & Standards for the Digital Era—DUST Conference 2025
  44. Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future
  45. Mark Your Calendar
  46. Index
https://doi.org/10.1515/ci-2025-0427
Creative Commons
BY-NC-ND 4.0

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Can the “Right to Science” Restore Public Trust?
  2. The Future of Science in the Digital Age: Chemistry at a Crossroads
  3. Chemistry for a Fairer, Safer, and More Sustainable World
  4. Science at a Crossroads: Restoring Integrity and Public Trust
  5. Building Trust in Science: A Two-Way Commitment
  6. Science: A Truth Worth Defending
  7. Science Under Siege: Confronting the Hydra’s Many Heads
  8. Masthead - Full issue pdf
  9. Past President’s Column
  10. Chemistry at the Crossroads: Enabling Solutions for a Changing World
  11. Features
  12. IUPAC’s 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
  13. Preventing spread of chemical weapons in an era of rapid technological change
  14. Why think philosophically about chemistry?
  15. Spotlight on IUPAC Young Observers
  16. Spotlight on IUPAC U.S. Young Observers
  17. IUPAC Wire
  18. IUPAC Launches Global Call to Action for Responsible Chemistry
  19. IUPAC Announces the 2025 Top Ten Emerging Technologies in Chemistry
  20. Actions Taken by IUPAC Council, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 2025
  21. Recognising Excellence: CCE 2026 Awards—Call for Nominations
  22. 2026 IUPAC-Richter Prize—Call for Nominations
  23. 2026 IUPAC–Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry—Call for Nominations
  24. 2026 IUPAC-Solvay International Award for Young Chemists—Call for Applicants
  25. Systems Thinking in Chemistry Education—Call for Papers
  26. Special issue IYQ in PAC
  27. In Memoriam
  28. Project Place
  29. Terminology for Dynamic Polymer Networks and Hydrogels
  30. Systems Thinking, Sustainability and Chemical Industry
  31. Small-Scale Chemistry Initiative in India
  32. Making an imPACt
  33. Definitions and preferred symbols for mass diffusion coefficients in multicomponent fluid mixtures including electrolytes (IUPAC Technical Report)
  34. IUPAC/CITAC guide: interlaboratory comparison of categorical characteristics of a substance, material, or object (IUPAC Technical Report)
  35. Blockchain technology: driving change in the scientific research workflow
  36. IUPAC Provisional Recommendations
  37. Basic Classification and Definitions of Polymerization Reactions
  38. Conference Call
  39. IUPAC 2025 in Kuala Lumpur Opened with Focus on Sustainability and Excellence
  40. Restoring Trust in Science: A Global Imperative
  41. Sustainable Practices for Promoting Diversity in Chemistry
  42. Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future
  43. Advancing Scientific Terminology & Standards for the Digital Era—DUST Conference 2025
  44. Stockholm Declaration on Chemistry for the Future
  45. Mark Your Calendar
  46. Index
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