Shall We Teach Actinide Chemistry with a Disciplinary Approach, Only?

While the understanding of the exact breadth of radiochemistry may be a subject of debate, many can agree that, in general, radiochemistry serves as an umbrella term that covers the study of the chemistry of unstable nuclides. Actinide chemistry falls under this definition and is taught today in France under this broader scope of radiochemistry. This identity, i.e., links to the nuclear industry, and a compact history define most of the curricula in actinide chemistry teaching. But does this go far enough? Could we be making stronger connections between the teaching surface of actinide chemistry and other bridging (sub)disciplines such as nuclear and radiation physics, material chemistry, coordination chemistry, and analytical chemistry? On the humanities side, links with sociology could also be explored. On a graduate level, cross-disciplinary studies such as these could broaden student perspectives on what would otherwise be a very narrow domain of chemistry. Examples could include teaching actinide chemistry within the larger context of d-block chemistry within broader inorganic chemistry contexts involving rarely discussed elements. In this Perspective, we aim to open a forum of discussion, presenting possible models for curricular hybridization across disciplines relevant to actinide chemistry. We advocate here for clearing the way to new horizons for teaching and learning in the field of science.