Comment: Promoting professionalism in the chemistry enterprise

A chemist walks into a reception attended by colleagues, orders a drink from the open bar, and starts to mingle. There is much chatter as the room echoes with scientists enjoying themselves—until someone brings up the subject of ethics in the chemistry enterprise. The room falls silent, and nearly everyone heads toward the exits. Like politics and religion, scientific ethics seems to be a taboo subject seldom discussed in a group setting. Yet, it is one of the foundations upon which the chemistry enterprise stands—a pillar that supports all of chemistry, from the first spark of curiosity to the classroom and laboratory. The practice of scientific ethics and responsible professionalism justifies discovery and innovation. Ethics paves the way for developing concepts and ideas into products and technologies that are intended to improve the Earth and the lives of all who dwell on it.

The American Chemical Society recognized the importance of scientific ethics nearly 20 years ago when it established the Committee on Ethics (ETHX) in 2007. The committee’s charge is to advise, educate, and raise awareness of scientific ethics among ACS members. ETHX is also responsible for coordinating ethics-related activities and content within ACS. Significantly, the ETHX committee’s charge explicitly precludes investigation, adjudication, and disciplinary action in cases of (potential) professional or scientific misconduct within ACS.

ETHX held a strategic planning retreat in May 2024, during which we discussed the implications and meaning of ethics and professionalism. Ethics has many definitions. ETHX has defined ethics as guiding principles that lead chemists to act responsibly and with accountability in their profession. As a result of the retreat, ETHX is undergoing a rebranding to emphasize responsible professional conduct, something the committee believes every chemist strives toward. We also believe that scientific ethics and the responsible practice of chemistry are synonymous.

The ETHX vision is “enabling trust, honesty, and integrity for chemistry and society (ETHICS).” Enabling refers to providing the means and opportunity to make something possible, practical, or easy. Trust is placing confidence or belief in something (for example, energy and matter cannot be created or destroyed by ordinary means). Honesty is the choice to adhere to verifiable facts and to act with fairness in a straightforward and transparent manner. Integrity is adherence to a set of principles (for example, the ACS core values). Chemistry refers to our chosen science and the harmonious and effective interactions among colleagues. Society refers to both ACS and collective humanity living together.

The mission of ETHX is “promoting professional conduct through awareness, education, and recognition.” We enhance awareness of the ETHX committee and the importance of responsible practice via outreach to the chemistry enterprise. We develop, implement, and distribute educational resources and content pertaining to professional conduct. We also develop and promote events and programming that engage members and inform them on the subject of professional conduct.

ETHX also educates and raises awareness through collaborative programming, projects, and workshops—some with other ACS entities such as ACS divisions and other committees. ETHX presents the ChemLuminary Award for “outstanding programming by a local section related to the promotion of ethics in chemistry” and jointly presents the ACS Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Chemical Safety and Ethics with the ACS Chemical Health and Safety Division. We are also currently working with the ACS Society Committee on Education to develop modules that can be used to introduce concepts of academic integrity into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. ETHX hosted a workshop at ACS Fall 2024 that demonstrated gamification to introduce ethics concepts into education by focusing on teaching how to recognize and address cognitive bias. In January, ETHX will host a cosponsored webinar to address topics on employee-employer rights and responsibilities, such as noncompete agreements.

It is an exciting time for ETHX as we prepare for our 20th anniversary and conduct projects that tackle some of the biggest issues facing chemists today. In addition to our ongoing activities, over the next several years, we aim to develop and recommend guidelines for (1) the appropriate and trustworthy use of artificial intelligence in chemistry and (2) an ethical framework for sustainable development via the chemistry enterprise. Input from all relevant parties is welcome.

Most of all, we aim to demonstrate that the practice of ethics and professional conduct inspires chemists and invigorates their best scientific selves. We hope that one day soon, when a chemist walks into a reception and the topic turns to scientific ethics and responsible professional conduct, the room will overflow with the energy of continued conversation. ETHX invites all of ACS and the chemistry enterprise to join us in that discussion by enabling trust, honesty, and integrity for chemistry and society.

Views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of C&EN or ACS.