Bringing Researchers and Practitioners Together: On the Aims of a Research Network in Organic Chemistry Education

Given current social and ecological challenges such as climate change, energy supply, and e-mobility, the training of future generations of chemists will play a key role in preparing them for future demands and enabling them to develop innovative solutions for current and future problems. However, given the persistent perception of chemistry courses as challenging, the largely consistent high dropout rates in these courses, and the increasing demand for well-trained chemistry graduates, it seems necessary to pursue more coordinated research efforts to support students’ chemistry learning at the university level and to increase the professionalization of instructors to improve the quality of teaching. In this communication, we outline the aims of a research network funded by the German Research Foundation and the growing need for increased collaborative research activities in higher education in the field of academic chemistry training as a blueprint for others in the community. We outline our objectives along four topics to address structured and systematic research efforts in organic chemistry education and teaching at the university level. A focus is placed on organic chemistry, as this discipline can provide a clear subject-specific lens but also allows a systemic perspective, which can serve as a model for other areas of chemistry and other natural sciences at universities.