Chemistry Outside the Laboratory

Traditionally, many studies of chemistry focus on the work taking place in laboratories – but in reality chemistry has been practiced in so many other contexts: mining, agriculture, toxicology, courtrooms, medicine, domestic spaces, classrooms, and the list goes on.

Inspired by the theme of the 2022 SHAC Postgraduate Workshop, this page tries to answer the question: what happens to our understanding of chemistry once we follow chemists and chemical substances outside of the laboratory and into the wider world?

Bridging the gap between chemistry and society: natural and artificial from a history of flavour’s perspective

Paulina S. Gennermann

Jul 55 min read

Bridging the gap between chemistry and society: natural and artificial from a history of flavour’s perspective

How studying the history of synthetic flavouring agents can help us understand science, industry, society and the relations between them.

The Ardystil Syndrome Case: when chemicals cross through textile factory, hospital and laboratory

Sofiya Kamalova

Sep 26, 20227 min read

The Ardystil Syndrome Case: when chemicals cross through textile factory, hospital and laboratory

In the Ardystil occupational intoxication case, interactions with chemical changed according to the different contexts.

How do we know when water is safe to drink? The early modern origins of water analysis

Armel Cornu

Aug 23, 20227 min read

How do we know when water is safe to drink? The early modern origins of water analysis

Before plumbing infrastructure reached most homes, chemistry was crucial in developing a method to evaluate the safety of drinking water.

Was the Invention of Agent Orange an Invention at All?

Alison McManus

Feb 14, 20228 min read

Was the Invention of Agent Orange an Invention at All?

Agent Orange was born from the knowledge that certain known substances kill plants. But could this knowledge claim constitute an invention?

Chemistry Outside the Laboratory

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