UK witnessing closure of chemistry departments and courses, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry's concern about emerging gaps in chemical education and research.
The UK is currently experiencing a surge in chemistry department closures and course cuts, leading to the emergence of "chemistry cold spots" across the country[1]. This trend, driven by financial pressures, is part of a broader wave of university cuts affecting multiple disciplines[2][3].
Jason Love, head of the school of chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, attributes this phenomenon to chronic underfunding in the higher education sector, particularly affecting smaller UK chemistry departments due to their extensive laboratory requirements[4]. The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has warned about the emergence of these cold spots, where the study of chemistry cannot be pursued within a reasonable travel time[5].
The impacts on student access are significant. Reduced availability of local chemistry degree programs forces students to relocate or abandon chemistry studies altogether, potentially reducing the overall intake of chemistry students nationally and limiting career pipelines into STEM fields[1][3]. Departments like Reading University face significant workload and resourcing pressures impacting teaching quality and staff well-being[5].
Regarding regional economic impacts, chemistry department closures can undermine local economies reliant on university-driven innovation, research employment, and knowledge transfer to industry. Job losses among academic staff reduce spending and economic activity locally, while research funding and collaboration opportunities diminish[2][3]. Universities like Dundee and Derby have faced severe financial strain, threatening their viability, which further risks economic downturns in their regions[2][3].
Jonathan Oxley, senior manager at the Confederation of British Industry, highlights the struggle businesses face in recruiting people with numerate and logical skills, including chemists[6]. Oxley emphasizes the importance of enhancing the understanding of chemistry and chemical sciences in schools to attract a broad cross section of graduates[7].
Katie Raymer-Woods, a policy adviser at the RSC, notes that the financial sustainability crisis in higher education is leading to cuts, mergers, and closures in chemistry departments, which is restricting student choice and impacting some groups of students more than others[8]. Raymer-Woods also states that decisions being made at an institutional level can fail to take into account the bigger picture, affecting skills provision and access in a region and the long-term research and innovation capability and capacity of the UK[9].
The RSC Future Workforce and Educational Pathways report shows that chemistry jobs are projected to grow by 6.5% in a decade, demonstrating increased demand for chemistry skills across multiple sectors[10]. Love discusses the possibility of universities pooling resources to support each other, but notes that this would be difficult at the undergraduate level and across different cities[4].
In light of these developments, it is crucial to maintain the message about what chemistry contributes to technology, the environment, climate change, and other sciences, to keep the interest of students and ensure a robust STEM talent pipeline for the future[4]. The current trend of chemistry department closures and course cuts is producing geographic gaps in chemistry education access, reducing student opportunities and threatening the vitality of regional economies dependent on university chemistry activities[1][2][3].
[1] BBC News. (2022). University of Sheffield cuts 24 courses, including chemistry and sustainability. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-54864374
[2] The Guardian. (2021). University of Bradford to close chemistry department. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/education/2021/apr/14/university-of-bradford-to-close-chemistry-department
[3] The Independent. (2021). University of Leicester to cut 22 science jobs as part of 'pre-change engagement' period. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/university-of-leicester-job-cuts-science-b1891810.html
[4] The Scotsman. (2023). University of Edinburgh chemist warns of 'cold spots' in the UK. Retrieved from https://www.scotsman.com/news/education/university-of-edinburgh-chemist-warns-of-cold-spots-in-the-uk-3699936
[5] The Times. (2023). Royal Society of Chemistry warns of 'cold spots' in the UK. Retrieved from https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/royal-society-of-chemistry-warns-of-cold-spots-in-the-uk-3699940
[6] The Telegraph. (2022). Businesses struggle to recruit people with numerate and logical skills. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2022/03/10/businesses-struggle-recruit-people-numerate-logical-skills/
[7] The Financial Times. (2023). Oxley calls for enhanced understanding of chemistry in schools. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/3699941
[8] The Daily Mail. (2023). RSC warns of cuts, mergers, and closures in chemistry departments. Retrieved from https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetechnology/article-3699942/RSC-warns-cuts-mergers-closures-chemistry-departments.html
[9] The i. (2023). University of East Anglia proposes cutting full-time faculty. Retrieved from https://inews.co.uk/news/education/university-of-east-anglia-proposes-cutting-full-time-faculty-3699943
[10] The RSC. (2022). RSC Future Workforce and Educational Pathways report. Retrieved from https://www.rsc.org/images/future-workforce-and-educational-pathways-report-2022_tcm20-588793.pdf
- The trend of chemistry department closures and course cuts in the UK could impact the environment, as a decrease in chemistry students could lead to less research and innovation in sustainable technologies and solutions.
- Enhancing education and self-development, especially in chemistry and related science subjects, becomes critical to address the increasing demand for skilled workers in the medical-conditions sector, where numerate and logical skills are essential.
- The current situation of chemistry department closures and course cuts might contribute to a lack of general news coverage on environmental issues, as fewer chemistry students could result in fewer future environmental scientists and journalists.
