Have you ever wondered why so many people have such a deep love of chocolate? What is it about this product that makes so many of us powerless to resist? As it turns out, chocolate is one of the most complex chemical mixtures in existence, with more than 1,000 different flavour components. In this episode of the RACI’S Chemically Speaking we chat with supramolecular chemist Dr Nathan Kilah and sensory scientist Gabrielle Kavaliauskaite to unlock the chemistry involved in making this delicious product, and discuss how we might even be genetically programmed to enjoy it.

The work of scientists has revolutionised modern life. But despite their unique skillsets and passion for their work, we often lose our younger researchers from the field before they can establish stable careers. As we kick of our 2022 season of episodes, the RACI’s Chemically Speaking will speak about navigating the transition from early to mid-career research with three of our most recent Rennie Memorial Medal winners – awarded for outstanding achievements in chemists with less than 8 years professional experience. If you’re in the early stages of a job in science and wondering about how to take that next step to build a career, then don’t miss this episode!

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. In this episode of Chemically Speaking, we take an abbreviated journey from a high school classroom, through a University degree and out into industry, exploring the different phases of chemistry education and the emerging trends in the way this education is delivered. We’ll discuss what students should know, how they are currently learning to use their understanding of chemistry, and what they should be able to do with this knowledge as they enter the workforce.