A talent pool for science: an "American dilemma"

PRES 72

Shirley Malcom, smalcom@aaas.org, Head, Education and Human Resources, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 200005
The chemistry community, like other areas of STEM, faces serious challenges associated with the adequacy, composition and skills of its workforce and the attitudes and knowledge base of the larger public with which it must engage. Unlike other areas of STEM, however, chemistry faces some unique challenges, especially in its failure to thoughtfully utilize talent once trained and lack of consistent and savvy engagement with the public. If ignored, these pose serious risk to the enterprise. Chemistry's success will depend on the choices that it makes now... to continue on current pathways or to transform challenges into opportunities.