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Obtaining financial support for scientific research is generally more difficult for work that is fundamental in nature rather than applied. Bruce C. Gibb contemplates how topics such as complexity might get their share — and why it is vital that they do.

Bruce C. Gibb is organizing a workshop for two groups of scientists that study a similar topic, but rarely get together. The different perspectives they bring and the unusual set up of the meeting will hopefully lead to new ideas, but, as he suggests, they will also lead to the attendees leaving their comfort zones.

Bruce C. Gibb wonders why curry is not part of the chemistry curriculum.

In the sink-or-swim world of academia, Bruce C. Gibb considers what support structures should be put in place for those who have only just entered the water.

The e.e.s have had it, argues Bruce Gibb, and it's time to err on the side of e.r.

Although many chemists are no strangers to complicated molecular structures, they are less familiar with complex systems and emergent phenomena. Bruce C. Gibb suggests that teamwork is the best way forward for tackling these subjects, and considers how university departments are changing to promote collaboration.

The closest that most chemists get to the concepts of nonlinearity and emergent properties is a passing acquaintance with a well-known oscillating reaction. Bruce C. Gibb suggests that looking a little deeper into chaos and complexity could help us to answer some very important questions.

Bruce C. Gibb takes a look at the complex cocktail of chemical compounds that make up gin.

Using chemical intuition often allows one to predict what might transpire on throwing a batch of chemicals into a beaker, but sometimes the unexpected can occur. Bruce C. Gibb discusses how you define an 'emergent phenomenon', recognizing that it's not a simple exercise and can actually be different for each of us.

A day in the life of an academic, as told by Bruce C. Gibb.

In the second of two essays looking at organic chemistry that can be found in the Solar System, Bruce C. Gibb focuses on the gas and ice giants as well as their satellites — concluding the tour on Saturn's fascinating moon Titan.

A trio of recent discoveries in physics should be celebrated by everyone, even chemists, argues Bruce Gibb.

Chemical compounds are often taken for granted, argues Bruce Gibb, and the most underappreciated is one that we're all very familiar with.

When it comes to water and its unique properties, Bruce Gibb explains that although there is undoubtedly some mystery, there is certainly no magic.

Tenure is vitally important when it comes to the creation and promotion of knowledge — and Bruce Gibb explains why.

Bruce Gibb ponders what the future of chemistry research might look like if we take a more data-driven approach.

Bruce Gibb finds that time away from the laboratory can help the mind to wander and explore new research ideas — and that inspiration for possible projects can come from somewhat unlikely sources.

Two constitutional isomers with exceptionally similar structures have had very different impacts in chemistry and beyond. With this example, Bruce Gibb highlights just how difficult it is to predict how much a particular compound or piece of chemical research will contribute to society, especially in the short term.

As we learn more about the complexities of water, Bruce Gibb argues that organic chemists shouldn't be afraid to take the plunge into aqueous environments.

As scientists, are the decisions we make all about weighing up cold hard facts or does the last time we ate come into play? Bruce Gibb offers us some food for thought.

Bruce Gibb finds wonder in the landscape of chemistry research.

Bruce Gibb wonders whether our faith in chemistry — and what it can teach us about the Universe beyond our Earthly bounds — will have a role to play in the search for alien life.

Carl Wilhelm Scheele had a hand in the discovery of at least six elements and contributed to the early development of chemistry in numerous other ways. Bruce Gibb looks into Scheele's story and considers why he doesn't get the credit that he deserves.

When it comes to practical chemistry demonstrations designed to provoke the senses, Bruce Gibb suggests that we should follow our noses rather than it all being about bangs and flashes.

Bruce Gibb ponders a future without chemistry departments — and explains why this is a good thing.

Bruce Gibb discusses how and why chemists name reactions and molecules — and what makes such monikers stick.

Sometimes the numbers just don't add up — and Bruce Gibb explains why.

Bringing knowledge management to bear on the process of scientific research may have benefits for everyone, explains Bruce Gibb.

Bruce Gibb looks back at some examples of irreproducible reactions in his own laboratory and suggests ways in which the reproducibility of chemical reactions can be maximized.

Could short, non-traditional sabbaticals help scientists better organize their research groups and make improvements to their laboratory's IT infrastructure? Bruce Gibb ponders this question.

In the first of two essays that offer a chemistry-themed guided tour around the Solar System, Bruce Gibb looks at what sort of organic molecules are out there and just where you can find them.

Bruce Gibb laments the bloated administrations that are damaging universities.

Researchers should spend more time doing science than cataloguing every last detail about how they get it done, argues Bruce Gibb.

The chemical universe is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. Bruce Gibb reminds us that it's somewhat messy too, and so we succeed by recognizing the limits of our knowledge.