[5] Benson's doctoral research, supervised by William Lash Miller, examined reaction rates of inorganic salt solutions.

[6] Her thesis, The rates of the reactions in solutions containing ferrous sulphate, potassium iodide, and chromic acid was published in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (JPC) in May, 1903.

[7] Benson's early research was in the field of physical chemistry, with an emphasis on reaction rates of inorganic salt solutions.

[6] Her 1902 article "The Rate of Oxidation of Ferrous Salts by Chromic Acid" may make her the second female author (after Marie Curie) to publish in the Journal of Physical Chemistry (JPC).

[6] When food science was incorporated into U of T's medical curriculum in 1905, Benson was promoted to lecturer in physiological chemistry (biochemistry), making her the first woman at U of T to achieve a rank above demonstrator.

[11] During World War I she developed and organized a course of instruction on ways to adapt food chemistry analysis techniques to explosives.

[13] Benson served on the national board of the YWCA (Young Women's Christian Association), chairing their Foreign Committee,[14] and her work with the organization led her to sponsor two French World War II orphans after her retirement.

[7] In 1992, the Canadian Society of Chemistry created the annually-awarded Clara Benson Award to honor female chemists working in Canada.