- Wayne Elfed Jones Jr., current Chair of the ACS Board of Directors & recently retired Professor of Chemistry & Materials Science, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, University of New Hampshire
- Sponsored by Stanford Department of Chemistry
- October 8, 2026, 3:00 pm-4:20 pm, In-person, Stanford University, Sapp Center for Science Teaching and Learning, Sapp Lecture Hall (STL 114), 376 Lomita Dr, Stanford, Learn more
Curiosity-driven, fundamental research fuels breakthrough technologies and lifesaving therapeutics—with chemistry at the center of it all. Yet, as scientists, we face a critical challenge: public trust in science is at a historic low, and the policy decisions shaping research funding and implementation are evolving rapidly. How do we as researchers bridge the gap between bench science and societal impact?
Join us for an engaging discussion on the interplay among fundamental research, public policy, and national advocacy. Drawing on the history and modern initiatives of the American Chemical Society (ACS), this talk highlights how scientific societies advocate for the research enterprise and how individual researchers can directly influence policy. You will gain insight into the changing landscape of science funding and regulation, as well as concrete tools, fellowships, and advocacy networks designed to help scientists translate their passion for chemical research into real-world policy outcomes.
About the Speaker
Wayne E. Jones Jr. has served as a chemistry faculty member and researcher for 35 years, recently retiring from his position as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of New Hampshire. He earned a B.S. from St. Michael’s College in 1987 and a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991. He has been a member of ACS since 1989.
He currently serves as Chair of the ACS Board of Directors, leading the Board in its responsibility as the Society’s legal representative and overseeing the administration of its property, funds, and affairs. As a Director-at-Large, he helps provide fiduciary oversight, strategic direction, and governance on behalf of the Society and its members. Learn more
