American Chemical Society names Thomas Holme new editor-in-chief of the Journal of Chemical Education

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2018 — The American Chemical Society (ACS) today named Thomas Holme, Ph.D., professor of chemistry at Iowa State University, as the next editor-in-chief of the Journal of Chemical Education. Established in 1924, this high-impact chemical education publication is co-published by the ACS Division of Chemical Education and the ACS Publications Division. Holme will initially serve in conjunction with current Editor-in-Chief Norbert J. Pienta, Ph.D., of the University of Georgia, with the formal transition taking place in January 2020.

Holme joined the faculty of Iowa State University in the department of chemistry in 2008, where he now serves as a Morrill professor of chemical education and computational chemistry. His chemical education research focuses on the measurement and assessment of student learning in chemistry courses, assessing the cognitive complexity of test items, and improving the quality of information that can be obtained from exams and other forms of assessment. Holme’s computational chemistry interests focus on building models to understand the role of trace chemicals in plant biochemistry.

“The pace of educational innovation has never been more brisk, and the Journal of Chemical Education provides an amazing platform for educators to share and foster such innovation,” says Holme. “I am delighted to have the opportunity to foster the ability for the journal to serve as a home for descriptions of exciting new ways to help students learn chemistry.”

The Journal of Chemical Education publishes peer-reviewed articles and related information that serve as a key resource for professionals in the field of chemical education and to those institutions that serve them. Topics covered in published articles include chemical content, activities, laboratory experiments, instructional methods and pedagogies. Holme served as a feature editor of the journal from 2003 to 2009 and has been on the editorial team for several ACS Symposium Series books covering chemical education topics. In addition to his editorial experience, Holme is an ACS Fellow and was the director of the ACS Examinations Institute from 2002 to 2013.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Professor Thomas Holme to his new role as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Chemical Education,” says James Milne, Ph.D., senior vice president, ACS Publications Journal Publishing Group. “Professor Holme is highly experienced as both an educator and scientific editor, and we look forward to seeing his vision for the journal come to life. I would also like to thank Professor Norbert Pienta for his years of service to the journal and for helping make the journal the premier resource for chemistry educators around the world.”

“The board of publication for the Division of Chemical Education is looking forward to supporting Professor Holme’s vision as he brings his diverse and rich skill set to advancing chemistry teaching and learning through the Journal of Chemical Education,” says Ellen J. Yezierski, Ph.D., chair of the board of publication for the division.

The ACS Division of Chemical Education (DivCHED) is one of 33 technical divisions within the greater Society. Members represent the entire educational spectrum and others who are concerned about the education and professional training of future chemists and other molecular scientists. DivCHED provides a common ground for teachers and students of chemistry to examine chemical education in its broadest sense through its committee and governance structure, website, newsletter, and regional and national meeting programming. The division entered into a co-publication agreement with ACS Publications in 2009 to better serve the scientific community and implement a forward-looking model of publishing. In addition to co-publishing the Journal of Chemical Education, DivCHED hosts the Biennial Conference on Chemical Education and is home to the ACS Exams Institute.

About the American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies. Through its Publications Division, the Society publishes 50+ peer-reviewed journals and eBooks. ACS journals are among the most-cited, most-trusted and most-read within the scientific literature. The Publications Division offers high-quality service to authors and readers, including rapid time to publication, cutting-edge web and mobile delivery platforms and comprehensive open access options. The Society's main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.