A standing-room-only lecture hall collectively gasps in awe: Kate the Chemist scoops a spoonful of stale flour into her mouth, holds up a blowtorch, and exhales with force. A large fireball mushrooms, then disappears—heat from the exothermic reaction is felt by the audience, even multiple rows back.
In December 2023, Kate Biberdorf, Ph.D., popularly known as Kate the Chemist, demonstrated nine chemistry experiments at the third annual Christmas Lecture, an outreach event implemented by Santiago Schnell, the William K. Warren Foundation Dean of the College of Science, and modeled after the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures in London. The lecture auditorium in the Jordan Hall of Science filled to capacity so quickly that more than 100 guests viewed the lecture via livestream in an overflow room.
Biberdorf, then an associate professor of instruction in chemistry at the University of Texas at Austin, was a hit with the Notre Dame and South Bend communities, and beyond. After the strong positive reception to her talk — including an Instagram post that was viewed more than 10.4 million times — Schnell invited her to a newly named professorship at Notre Dame: The professor for the public understanding of science. Biberdorf announced her new position during a live segment on The Today Show in August 2024, and joined the faculty here about a week later.
“I am incredibly honored to join the faculty of Notre Dame,” Biberdorf said. “My goal is to raise the public understanding of science, and I’m optimistic that the brand-new scientific engagement makerspace will help to highlight and amplify the groundbreaking research happening on campus.
“With a little help from fire and explosions, we will elevate Notre Dame’s standing in the worldwide scientific community.”
Her new role, modeled after Oxford’s Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science established in 1995, was created by Schnell with the aim to build bridges between scientists and the general public. It’s the first professorship of its kind in the United States.
“Biberdorf’s appointment reflects the College of Science’s commitment to fostering a deeper public appreciation of and engagement with science. Our goal is to bridge the gap between scientific communities and the general public, ensuring scientific knowledge is widely disseminated and valued by society at large,” Schnell said.
The new position is part of a comprehensive plan to integrate public engagement into the fabric of Notre Dame’s scientific endeavors. Biberdorf will assess the current state of public engagement in science within the college, identify key stakeholders, and set clear and measurable goals for increasing public engagement in science.
Using a comprehensive platform of activities, Biberdorf will engage the local community and amplify the college’s research efforts through national and international platforms such as social media, public lectures, articles, books, and appearances on television, radio and podcasts. In this role, and with a new, collaborative makerspace, Biberdorf will leverage these platforms to make science more accessible and engaging to diverse audiences.
She’s been on a 10-year journey to make science fun and accessible, she told Inside Higher Ed. But even more than sparking an initial interest in science, Biberdorf recognizes the need to correct misinformation amidst a general public that’s increasingly distrustful of scientists.
“Biberdorf’s expertise, passion and dynamic approach to science communication will foster a deeper appreciation of science while inspiring the next generation of scientists,” Schnell said. “We also believe that the professor for the public understanding of science can provide the training, tools and platform needed to help our faculty, postdoctoral fellows and students connect their work to society and make it relevant to people’s everyday lives.”
As “Kate the Chemist,” Biberdorf has inspired millions through her books, live demonstrations and media appearances, promoting science literacy and enthusiasm among people of all ages. She has been featured by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Kelly Clarkson Show and The Today Show.
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Story by Samantha Keller