Report from the EuCheMS Division of Chemistry Education (DCE) and Eurovariety
1.-4.7.2025, Cracow, Poland
EuChemS scientific Divisions and Working Parties enhance networking in their own fields of expertise and promote collaboration with other European and international organisations. These professional networks organise high quality scientific conferences in chemical and molecular sciences and interdisciplinary areas.
The EuChemS Division of Chemical Education (https://www.euchems.eu/divisions/chemical-education-2/) is committed to strengthening the role of chemistry education across Europe and beyond. DCE foresees high-quality education in chemistry to be essential for preparing future scientists, addressing global challenges, and fostering a scientifically literate and engaged society.
The annual meeting of DCE was held 1.7.2025 at the Jagellonian University, Cracow, and hosted by the Polish Chemical Society Division of Chemistry Education.
The meeting was discussing about hosting conferences and especially the future of Eurovariety focusing on higher education chemistry. At least in the upcoming years Eurovariety seems to be continued with so far unconfirmed upcoming locations, but most likely travelling to southern European destination.
Other matters discussed were how to enhance collaboration and funding opportunities thereby, strategies for better social media visibility, and strengthening co-operations with other EuCheMS divisions’ initiatives to share seminars and events. Especially visibility of DCE needs to be enhanced at the EuCheMS congresses via multidisciplinary approaches.
This year the DCE meeting was combined with the biennial European Variety in University Chemistry Education (Eurovariety 2025) conference (https://eurovariety2025.confer.uj.edu.pl/) celebrating the 20th year anniversary of the conference series. The conference was a three-days of fireworks of theory and practice of university-level chemistry education. The days were filled with intriguing lectures, for example, of the impact of modern technology on chemistry teaching. Short lectures highlighted especially practical pedagogical solutions to improve the learning experiences of students tackling with understanding and comprehension of chemistry issues. Hands-on workshops were available for the participants to have first hands experiences with the wonders of chemistry, including a guided tour to the historic chemistry laboratory built on collectibles throughout times.
The conference was a warm (+31 C) gathering of friends of chemistry education, acquaintances, and novice chemistry education scholars to discuss, share and learn from peers and colleagues. The conference guests enjoyed Polish hospitality from coffee to coffee, lunch to lunch. Finally, a traditional Polish conference dinner exhausted everyone – once you think you managed the full menu, there is another dish served.
The conference series started 20 years ago in Cracow. Now it made a reappearance in Cracow. We will see if we return to Cracow in 20-years-time. For sure, research-based university chemistry education is changing and diversifies while highlighting the changing role of chemistry needs and skills in society by large.
Jan Lundell
Professor
University of Helsinki