The CoReACTER Blog

Communication is a critical aspect of our jobs. As practitioners of science and engineering, we are responsible for clearly communicating our findings to our scientific peers. We also value our role in sharing information with the public and the press, and in teaching and training junior researchers. This blog is part of our efforts to meet these responsibilities!

Every post here has been written by ReACTERs, discussed in a CoReACTER group organizational meeting, and approved through a collective decision-making process. This does NOT mean that each post reflects the views of each individual ReACTER, and in general, only the authors of a post and the CoReACTER as an organization should be held responsible for the views espoused in a given post.

In general, we will not take down a post once it has been edited and approved, as we would not want to pretend that our mistakes had not happened. Exceptions would include if, for instance, we had posted information without appropriate permissions or consent. If we find that we have made incorrect or harmful statements, we reserve the right to edit posts (clearly indicating where edits have been made and why they were made), and in serious cases we may make further posts apologizing for improper statements or explaining how our views have evolved. These guidelines are part of our practices of accountability.

Posts

	Leaving Before the Beginning Evan Walter Clark Spotte-Smith (EWCSS) (they/them) Posted on: May 30, 2025 In response to the rise of fascism in the United States, EWCSS is leaving for University College Dublin in Ireland. This post explains their motivations for leaving Pittsburgh and moving to Dublin, as well as what this move will mean for the CoReA...
	On the Properties of Gender Spaces Evan Walter Clark Spotte-Smith (EWCSS) (they/them) Posted on: Apr 28, 2025 EWCSS attempts to construct a framework for gender based on the mathematical concept of space. Drawing from Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, as well as other theorists such as Judith Butler, they consider how gender categories are constructed from our fluct...
	Foundations of Chemical Ethics: 0. Foundations of Foundations Evan Walter Clark Spotte-Smith (EWCSS) (they/them) Posted on: Jan 6, 2025 In this preview, EWCSS introduces a new series on ethics in the chemical sciences. They discuss their motivations for embarking on this journey, their intended scope and goals, and they raise some possible directions for future posts.
	What If They're Wrong? Evan Walter Clark Spotte-Smith (EWCSS) (they/them) Posted on: Jan 6, 2025 Inspired by a blog post by the mathematician Igor Pak, EWCSS considers mechanisms (e.g., reaction mechanisms) as a form of chemical conjecture. Using a recent example involving electrolyte decomposition in lithium-ion batteries, they explore the p...