Dr. Kate Biberdorf, affectionately known as ‘Kate the Chemist,’ is set to make significant waves as the University’s professor dedicated to the public understanding of science. This chemist and self-proclaimed science entertainer holds a unique position as the first to fill this newly created role.

Uniting Science and Public through Notre Dame's New Professorship

Goals and Impact of the Professorship

The professorship comes with a set of diverse goals. It aims to make science more accessible to a wider audience, amplify the research conducted at Notre Dame, connect with the South Bend Community, and raise the University's profile within the scientific community. This multifaceted approach is set to have a profound impact on how science is perceived and engaged with.Science has become increasingly technical and complex, making it essential to have a spokesperson who can explain it to the general public. Dr. Biberdorf's appointment is seen as a crucial step in bridging this gap. The University Strategic Framework, published in August 2023, recommended the establishment of this faculty position, highlighting its significance.

Dr. Biberdorf's Background and Appointment

Before her appointment, Dr. Biberdorf was a prominent figure. She regularly appears in popular media, hosts a podcast with NPR affiliate KCUR Studios, and has written eight books. Her expertise and public profile made her an ideal candidate for the newly created professorship.The position was offered to her after she delivered the College of Science's annual Christmas lecture last year. At that time, she was an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Little did she know that this lecture would serve as a mini audition for the role.Dr. Schnell, the College of Science dean, was quick to recognize her as the right fit. "When Kate came in … it was incredibly obvious," he said. "She had the right personality and the energy that was required to take the position."

Projects and Initiatives at Notre Dame

At Notre Dame, Dr. Biberdorf is currently working on two exciting projects. The first is the creation of a new studio-makerspace, which will be equipped as a wet-lab and also include audio-visual technology. This space will allow her to produce content for television and Instagram, where she has a significant following. With over 125,000 followers on Instagram and 287,200 followers on TikTok, she hopes to feature other Notre Dame scientists and amplify their research.She is also working to create a science communication minor with two distinct tracks: a writing track and a multimedia/video track. This new program, in collaboration with both the College of Science and the College of Arts and Letters, is expected to be launched in the fall of 2025. It will train the next generation of individuals to engage with the general public on science.Training in scientific communication is crucial, as it allows researchers to publish better papers, become more engaged with the academic community, and write stronger grant proposals. As Schnell explains, "You can be an exceptional scientist in the laboratory, but if you are not an exceptional communicator, you don't get very far. Only the best communicators are the ones who advance in science and win the biggest awards."

Reaching Beyond Campus

Beyond the campus, Dr. Biberdorf hopes to bring the Pint of Science Festival to South Bend. This annual festival encourages scientists to share their research in an accessible manner in locations like bars or pubs. With over 500 participating cities globally and currently only 5 U.S. cities hosting events in 2025, with no Midwest or Great Lakes regions represented, she aims to make South Bend a benchmark for the northern United States.She is also planning a traveling science show that will accompany the Notre Dame football team throughout their season. This traveling lab will first visit local South Bend schools to get feedback from students. Then, it will go to every away football game, starting with Arkansas next year. Additionally, she plans to host community engagements the day after the games with citizen science projects.

International Aspirations and Challenges

Dr. Biberdorf's plans don't stop at national borders. She will be traveling to the annual conference of The Network for the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) in Aberdeen, Scotland in May 2025. Notre Dame is bidding to host the PCST 2029 conference, which would be a significant achievement as it would be the first time the event is hosted in the United States.However, the current political climate poses challenges. Trust in the scientific community has fallen significantly in recent years, and scientists need to be careful to maintain political neutrality. Dr. Biberdorf is aware of this and is committed to building bridges and advocating for science in the public square.

Teaching and Learning

Dr. Biberdorf is not only teaching but also continuing to learn about her new home at Notre Dame and South Bend. She loves the people and the campus, but she also admits to the challenges of moving from sunny Austin to northern Indiana.Despite the cold and the driving in snow and ice, she is excited about the convenience of having six grocery stores near her house. She finds it amusing that she can get baking soda anytime she needs.In conclusion, Dr. Kate Biberdorf's new role at Notre Dame is set to have a transformative impact on science communication. Through her various projects and initiatives, she is working to bridge the gap between science and the public, raise the University's profile, and train the next generation of science communicators. Her unique approach and passion for science are sure to leave a lasting mark.