Welcome
Join us for ComSciCon-ACS, a dynamic science communication workshop designed specifically for chemistry graduate students and postdocs! Held in conjunction with ACS Fall 2026 in Chicago, IL, this event offers hands-on training in writing, speaking, and sharing science with broad audiences. Participants will network with professional communicators and learn new skills to amplify their outreach and communication. Whether you’re passionate about public engagement or exploring new ways to share your research, ComSciCon-ACS is your gateway to impactful science communication.
This event is co-sponsored by the NSF Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry(CSOE). Their support makes it possible for early-career chemists from across the country to connect, grow, and develop as science communicators. CSOE’s commitment to public engagement and inclusive access to professional development helps empower the next generation of chemists to share their science with the world.
Program
CSC-ACS will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026 at ACS Fall 2026 in Chicago, IL. All activities will be in the Vista Room, S406a, Level 4, South Building.
Morning — Open Session
8:15 am- 8:25 am Introductory Remarks
8:30 am- 10:05 am Workshop
Dungeons & Dragons & Chemistry: Communicating science through science fiction, fantasy, and pop culture
Skyler D. Ware, PhD, chemist and freelance science journalist
10:05 am- 10:20 am Coffee and Networking Break
10:20 am- 12:00 pm Beyond the Bench: Using science communication to build lasting communities
(11:05 am – 11: 15 am Coffee and Networking Break)
Kate Biberdorf, PhD, “Kate the Chemist”, Professor for the Public Understanding of Science, University of Notre Dame, science entertainer, science communicator
Prachi Patel, MA, MS, Senior Editor, C&EN
Hadley Marcek, PhD, ACS Science Communications
Rachel Creager, PhD, Senior Manager, Office of Science Outreach, ACS
Allison Tau, Science communicator, digital storyteller, ACS
Afternoon — Create-a-thon
1:00pm- 3:00 pm Create-a-thon (previous application required)
Interested in communicating your science but don’t know where to start? The Create-a-thon pairs graduate student authors with ACS science communication mentors.
Invited Speakers
Dr. Rachel Creager, Ph.D.
Senior Manager, office of science outreach, ACS
Dr. Rachel Creager is Senior Manager of the Office of Science Outreach at the American Chemical Society. With a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she transitioned from laboratory research to a career focused on science outreach, informal education, and STEM workforce development. Prior to ACS, she worked with the Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education and the Department of Defense to develop programs that connect students and early-career scientists with STEM opportunities. Her work centers on using science communication to build strong, lasting communities and broaden participation in science.
Allison Tau
Science communicator & Social media specialist, ACS
Allison Tau has over ten years’ experience as a science communicator and digital content creator. She is currently part of the team that manages the American Chemical Society’s flagship social media channels, but in previous roles at ACS she contributed to outreach programming for the National Chemistry Week and Chemists Celebrate Earth Week campaigns, website content management and strategy, and science communication training workshops. She got her start in science communication as an undergraduate chemical engineering student. Outside of her studies, she facilitated informal science educational programming at museums and camps. Following her graduation, she went on to obtain an MSc in Science Communication at Imperial College London.
Skyler Ware is a freelance journalist covering physical and Earth sciences. She was a 2023 AAAS Mass Media Fellow at Science News and a 2025 early-career fellow at The Open Notebook. Her work has also appeared in SciShow, Eos, Live Science, and other outlets. Skyler organizes the annual ComSciCon-SciWri workshop on science journalism for graduate students and postdocs in STEM fields. She has a PhD in chemistry from Caltech.
Organizers
Victoria Russell, Director of Education and Outreach, Center for Synthetic Organic Electrochemistry (CSOE)
Interests: Science Communciation and Outreach, carnivorous plants, hiking with her rescue dog
Lokesh Saravanan, Postdoc, University of Utah, CSOE
Research: Cluster electrocatalysis, surface characterizations and modifications
Interests: Raquet sports, cooking and road trips
Zihan Wang, Graduate Student, University of Utah, CSOE
Code of Conduct
All participants will follow ACS’s Code of Conduct, found here.
ComSciCon 