During the twentieth century, chemistry experienced a series of transformations that arguably greatly affected the collective identity of its practitioners. Among these transformations were the shift of the geographical center from Europe to the United States, and the rise of additional centers such as the Soviet Union, Japan, and China. Next to geographical shifts, transitions in gender roles, and an increased diversity with regards to ethnicity and social background can be observed. In addition, the rise of physical instrumentation expanded the reach of the molecular approach into the life and material sciences, and in doing so changed the outlook of chemists and chemical engineers. In my talk, I will investigate some of the effects of these changes, and discuss the question if we should talk about one professional identity or many.

Identities in the twentieth century

248th National Meeting (2014)

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