Welcome to the School of Chemistry

UNSW School of Chemistry

The School of Chemistry has a proud history, predating UNSW, beginning at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts in 1833 and now our School is a leading centre for both teaching and research excellence in Chemistry in Australia – developing cutting edge knowledge to solve real-world problems. Studying chemistry helps you understand the world from the ground up – from the sub-atomic, atomic, and molecular to the spectacular!

We are now a flourishing community of over 300 staff and research students. We are united by our love for chemistry, and embrace diversity in all of its forms. We take our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion seriously, and truly believe that chemistry should be a welcoming place for all.

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Vale A/Prof Harry Goodwin

Vale A/Prof Harry Goodwin

28 July 2020

The School of Chemistry, UNSW has lost a much-loved and admired former member of staff,  Assoc Prof Harold Goodwin. Anyone who worked in the Heffron Building between 1962 and 2000 would have known Harry, a man with time for everyone, a warm personality and a great, sometimes quirky, sense of humour.

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Scientia Professor Martina Stenzel has been awarded an Australian Laureate Fellowship from the Australian Research Council (ARC)

Scientia Professor Martina Stenzel has been awarded an Australian Laureate Fellowship from the Australian Research Council (ARC)

21 July 2020

The School of Chemistry congratulates Martina. Professor Stenzel will receive $3,372,617 to develop a toolset that allows the design of very small nanoparticles that display enhanced biological activity. The project will provide an in-depth understanding of the relationship between the underpinning polymer structure and nanoparticle properties, which is not only important for nanomedicine, but areas such as catalysis and sensors.  

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Indigenous Science Seminar

Indigenous Science Seminar

14 July 2020

The School of Chemistry was excited to host Dave Harrington as a part of our school seminar series. Dave’s seminar topic was, ‘Researching, Teaching and Communicating Cultural Sciences’. The seminar was originally scheduled to coincide with NAIDOC week, that has now been moved to 8-15th November 2020 due to Covid-19.

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A virtual live book launch for the recently published history of the School of Chemistry

A virtual live book launch for the recently published history of the School of Chemistry

23 June 2020

The current Head of School, Prof Scott Kable hosted a virtual live book launch of the recently published history of the School of Chemistry, where he was joined by three special guests:

Prof Barbara Messerle - former Chemistry Head of School - currently Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor at The University of Sydney

Emeritus Prof David Black - former Chemistry Head of School and our longest serving and most decorated member of academic staff

A/Prof Peter Southwell-Keely - Book Author and former Chemistry staff member.

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Congratulations to the 2019 Chemistry Prize Winners

Congratulations to the 2019 Chemistry Prize Winners

11 June 2020

Each year, the School of Chemistry holds an event to celebrate its brightest and best students, acknowledging the achievements of our prize and medal recipients and scholarship winners for their incredible academic results in the previous year. The event is an absolute highlight in our calendar, as we love celebrating each of our talented chemistry students and thanking our generous Donors and their families. 

So, it is with some regret that, in line with current guidelines on large gatherings, we could not hold the event in 2020. 

In its place the Head of School, Professor Scott Kable and Associate Professor Alison Beavis, Deputy Dean (Education), UNSW Science, recorded a video to personally congratulate our students for their academic achievements and acknowledge and thank our generous Donors. 

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