The 14th Australian Symposium on Analytical Chemistry. Adelaide, 5–9 July 1997

Abstract

 The Analytical Division of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) held its 14th biennial symposium on analytical chemistry (14AC) in Adelaide, South Australia on 5–9 July 1997 [1]. The theme, "A broader view of the world" was an explicit invitation from the organisers to analysts to "take time away from their laboratories and consider how their work affects the world . . . A major challenge to chemists is to redefine their role in industry, education and the community and face, head-on, the demands brought about by free trade, economic rationalism and the environment." Part of this challenge, as reflected in invited plenary and keynote speakers as well as the cut and thrust of debate on the conference floor, is to address the important role of chemical measurement and confidence in the domestic and international systems of measurement.