Distinguished Lecture: Redefining how we measure our world

In November 2018, delegates from around sixty nations voted to redefine the base units of the Système International d’Unités (SI), the international language of measurement. The redefinition is the most momentous change to our global system of measurement since it was first formed, with the signature of the international Convention du Metre or Metre Treaty in 1875. It also brings to fruition the ambition first expressed in France almost two hundred years ago: ‘à tous les temps, à tous les peuples’ (for all time, for all people). 

Bruce Warrington, Chief Metrologist and a/g CEO of the National Measurement Institute, will introduce the international system of measurement and the roles played by both NMI and ANSTO, and describe the changes that will take effect on 20 May this year. This date is World Metrology Day, celebrating the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Treaty. NMI and ANSTO continue to work closely together to maintain and develop Australia’s national system of measurement, and the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding is also an opportunity to highlight the close and ongoing collaboration between the two organisations. 

Bruce Warrington is Chief Metrologist and acting CEO of the National Measurement Institute, which maintains peak measurement standards for Australia and works with research, industry and the community to provide accurate measurement. A graduate of the University of Otago in New Zealand, he completed a DPhil in Oxford on atomic physics research and worked with CSIRO in Sydney on the development of atomic clocks. He has been with NMI since it was formed in 2004, taking on the role of Chief Metrologist in September 2017 and acting CEO in May this year. Last month he led Australia’s delegation to the 26th General Conference on Weights and Measures in Paris, which voted to redefine the kilogram and the other base units of the international measurement system.