ROChET - Research in Organic Chemistry Education and Teaching - Network

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Current societal and ecological challenges, such as climate change, energy supply and e-mobility, cannot be solved without chemistry. Especially for Germany, a research-intense country, and an important industrial hub, it is essential to train chemists for future challenges and to enable them to develop innovative solutions to current and future problems. However, there is comparatively little substantial research efforts in Germany regarding the support of students at the university level in chemistry learning and in the professionalization of chemistry lecturers to enhance the quality of teaching. The ROChET - Network aims at structuring and systematizing research efforts in organic chemistry education and teaching at the university level to focus on the necessary evidence-based practices to strengthen the quality of teaching and to promote it through joint research and transfer projects. A focus is placed on organic chemistry, as this can provide a clear subject-specific lens but also allows a systemic focus (e.g. type and structure of standard courses, stakeholders), which can be exemplarily transferred to other areas of chemistry and other natural sciences at universities. In the network, subject-specific challenges of teaching and subject-specific competencies will be compiled and concretized to derive a didactic-conceptual framework for future research projects. In discussing the future challenges of teaching, the network aims at highlighting ways for more individualized and interdisciplinary teaching to equip future chemists with the necessary competencies. Finally, this will lead to a discussion about the professional development of lecturers in organic chemistry. The network members are PhD students, PostDocs and professors from the chemistry education field and organic chemistry experts. The network results will be published in chemistry education journals, an edited volume, a digital, international conference, and via science communication channels to initiate a broader exchange about teaching in universities and will inform future DFG research proposals. This initiative will link and summarize previously singular research strands in content and methodology, nationally and internationally, and across locations. These objectives are summarized in four topic areas: 1. systematization of organic-chemistry-specific challenges, 2. support of subject-related competencies, 3. approaches of teaching and learning organic chemistry for a more sustainable future, and 4. the professional development of lecturers.