Editorial: Our evolution continues

Here at C&EN we strive to chronicle changes in the chemical realm and its impact on our world, as well as the changes that this world has wrought upon the realm of chemistry. Indeed, movement and reaction are fundamental to understanding chemistry. It is inevitable that C&EN’s journalistic enterprise will evolve too.

But even as we evolve, the principles laid out in the magazine’s final editorial of 1971 still apply: to share developments in the chemical world and their connection to the world at large. And, of course, to cover the business of the American Chemical Society as one of the largest science societies in the world. Through any change, we retain a strong sense of who we are, delivering a balance between applause and disapproval where required, accountable to our audience but never speaking for it. Just as described in that editorial.

Journalists have been very concerned with a sense of purpose in recent years. A few months ago, reporters here at C&EN spent much of one of our editorial huddles reflecting on whether science journalism had lost its swagger, as suggested by media commentator Jack Shafer. Swagger here is the confidence to tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may. Shafer argued that the threat of lawsuits combined with fundamental shifts in the markets of attention and information have left the once-fierce souls of most journalists timid and nearly irrelevant.

But at C&EN, we believe that certain matters of consequence demand our collective attention and that a thriving community in chemistry expects intelligent coverage of these matters. We will continue to deploy our version of swagger to bring you facts, reason, and a balance of viewpoints that will give you an edge in your professional lives. But how we do this across our media will adapt to a changing environment. To that end we have five aims:

Inclusion: Chemistry news today is not just for chemists. The chemistry enterprise certainly includes chemists working in academia and industry. But it also extends, crucially, to those who might not be chemists themselves but are interested because chemistry is central to their success. Our content will resonate with anyone engaged in the business, teaching, or regulation of chemistry, whatever their training.

Access: With the explosion of digital delivery pathways adding to traditional methods of media delivery, C&EN’s content will meet its audiences where you can most readily and easily find it. We’ll be here for you, where you need it and when you need it!

Timeliness: To be relevant in today’s fast-changing world, C&EN’s team will respond to developments in the global chemistry enterprise, adding context and perspective to an emerging story that you can share with your community.

Global Reach: Our changing world is interconnected, and chemistry should be of benefit to everyone, everywhere. There is no corner of the world not affected by what is a truly global chemistry enterprise. And every corner of the world can influence the chemistry enterprise. You deserve to witness this interconnectedness.

Dialogue: C&EN’s position within ACS gives it the power to access a broad array of expertise and points of view, and to observe the pathways of discovery and application by engaging the best and brightest across the world of chemistry. We believe good journalism is about debate and commentary, and we will be proactive in building a community for conversation.

The changes won’t all happen at once, of course. But consider this a declaration of intent.

We are building from a strong foundation, a reaction that started more than a century ago. Now, as then, we hope to build something relevant, vital, vibrant. Perhaps a jewel, a beacon, or the stuff of swagger. Whether we succeed, whatever we are known for—that, we leave to you.

This editorial is the result of collective deliberation in C&EN. For this week’s editorial, the lead contributor is Nick Ishmael-Perkins.

Views expressed on this page are not necessarily those of ACS.