Women in Metrology

World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 by representatives of seventeen nations. The Convention set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal applications. The original aim of the Metre Convention – the world-wide uniformity of measurement – remains as important today as it was in 1875.

In recognition of World Metrology Day, we are shining a spotlight on some of our great women metrologists.  To be fair, these are just a handful of the leading metrologists that we chose to feature – there are still plenty more across Australasia, in various fields and stages of their careers, and we wish we could highlight every single one.

It is well known that women and girls continue to be excluded from fully participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), even though we’ve had some global improvement in this matter over the past decade.  For example, there is still a disparity between male and female university graduate numbers in STEM related fields.

So, today we are highlighting some already impressive and leading female metrologists right here in Australasia, with the hope that their examples will show girls and women with an interest in metrology that they can reach the very top of the field.

∞ Dr Lindsey Mackay
General Manager, Chemical and Biological Metrology, National Measurement Institute of Australia

Lindsey looks after the chemical and biological metrology program at the National Measurement Institute (NMI), including its specialised laboratories for drugs in sports (World Anti-Doping Agency accredited testing laboratory), forensics testing and utra-trace analysis.  In addition, she represents Australia in a range of international committees, including Chair of the Working Group on Organic Analysis of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (CCQM-OAWG BIPM).

∞ Eleanor Howick
New Zealand Chief Metrologist
Principal Research Scientist, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Eleanor is the Chief Metrologist for New Zealand, a role whose duty is to ensure the integrity of the measurement system in New Zealand.  She is a research scientist in length and dimensional metrology with a strong interest in three-dimensional coordinate measurement and laser interferometers.  Eleanor has strong links within both the national and international metrology communities through her involvement in the Metrology Society of Australasia, IANZ (technical expert for 20 years) and APMP (Asia Pacific Metrology Programme).

∞ Dr Jane Warne
Manager, Marine In-Situ Measurement, Australian Bureau of Meteorology
Former President, Metrology Society of Australasia

Jane manages the design and development of marine measurement instrumentation and infrastructure such as sea temperature and sea level.  These measurements are used in a range of forecasting and warning services from cyclone and storm warning, climate monitoring, storm surge and tsunami detection and monitoring.  She also provides end to end specialist metrology support for a range of other monitoring programs in the Australian Bureau of Meteorology science and engineering section.  In addition, Jane represents Australia in international committees such as the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and World Meteorological Organisation.  She is a NATA Technical Assessor in Chemical Testing and Metrology and a past President of the MSA. 

∞ Anne Evans
Laboratory Manager, Teltherm Instruments Ltd

Anne manages Teltherm’s IANZ accredited laboratories, which are accredited in pressure, gas detection, temperature, Infrared and humidity.  She co-owned Teltherm Instruments until late 2016 and has formidable metrology technical expertise.  Anne is still actively involved in Teltherm Instruments, where she enjoys the technical challenges of metrology, growing the laboratory scope and training the staff.

∞ Jacinta Hurst
Partner and Laboratory Manager, Envirolab Services

Jacinta is laboratory manager for Envirolab Services. She is a signatory for all tests (except asbestos & SPOCAS) that cover the analysis of soil, water and other matricies by techniques of GC, GC/MS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS AAS and classical techniques.  Jacinta is a NATA Technical Assessor in the field of Chemical Testing for Organics, an Appointed Analyst under NSW DECC legislation and participates in a range of technical groups, reviewing methodology for Australian Standards, ISO and Sydney Water.

∞ Kirsty Russell
General Manager, CPS (NZ) Ltd

Kirsty splits her time between managing CPS and sales. She has worked in every role at CPS and has in-depth knowledge of the industry.  Kirsty is as comfortable in her role as business leader, as she is problem solving for clients, happily taking to the tools to make or modify equipment to clients needs. 

If you would like further information about the MSA including how to become a member, please see our website (www.metrology.asn.au).  Women are particularly encouraged to join the MSA’s management/executive team and may contact Anne Evans (secretary@metrology.asn.au) or Daniel Burke (president@metrology.asn.au) to learn more.

The MSA gratefully acknowledges the John Morris Group for their support of the MSA’s Women in Metrology program.

World Metrology Day is an annual celebration of the signature of the Metre Convention on 20 May 1875 by representatives of seventeen nations. The Convention set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal applications. The original aim of the Metre Convention – the world-wide uniformity of measurement – remains as important today as it was in 1875.

In recognition of World Metrology Day, we are shining a spotlight on some of our great women metrologists.  To be fair, these are just a handful of the leading metrologists that we chose to feature – there are still plenty more across Australasia, in various fields and stages of their careers, and we wish we could highlight every single one.

It is well known that women and girls continue to be excluded from fully participating in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), even though we’ve had some global improvement in this matter over the past decade.  For example, there is still a disparity between male and female university graduate numbers in STEM related fields.

So, today we are highlighting some already impressive and leading female metrologists right here in Australasia, with the hope that their examples will show girls and women with an interest in metrology that they can reach the very top of the field.

∞ Dr Lindsey Mackay
General Manager, Chemical and Biological Metrology, National Measurement Institute of Australia

Lindsey looks after the chemical and biological metrology program at the National Measurement Institute (NMI), including its specialised laboratories for drugs in sports (World Anti-Doping Agency accredited testing laboratory), forensics testing and utra-trace analysis.  In addition, she represents Australia in a range of international committees, including Chair of the Working Group on Organic Analysis of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (CCQM-OAWG BIPM).

∞ Eleanor Howick
New Zealand Chief Metrologist
Principal Research Scientist, Measurement Standards Laboratory of New Zealand

Eleanor is the Chief Metrologist for New Zealand, a role whose duty is to ensure the integrity of the measurement system in New Zealand.  She is a research scientist in length and dimensional metrology with a strong interest in three-dimensional coordinate measurement and laser interferometers.  Eleanor has strong links within both the national and international metrology communities through her involvement in the Metrology Society of Australasia, IANZ (technical expert for 20 years) and APMP (Asia Pacific Metrology Programme).

∞ Dr Jane Warne
Manager, Marine In-Situ Measurement, Australian Bureau of Meteorology
Former President, Metrology Society of Australasia

Jane manages the design and development of marine measurement instrumentation and infrastructure such as sea temperature and sea level.  These measurements are used in a range of forecasting and warning services from cyclone and storm warning, climate monitoring, storm surge and tsunami detection and monitoring.  She also provides end to end specialist metrology support for a range of other monitoring programs in the Australian Bureau of Meteorology science and engineering section.  In addition, Jane represents Australia in international committees such as the United Nations Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and World Meteorological Organisation.  She is a NATA Technical Assessor in Chemical Testing and Metrology and a past President of the MSA. 

∞ Anne Evans
Laboratory Manager, Teltherm Instruments Ltd

Anne manages Teltherm’s IANZ accredited laboratories, which are accredited in pressure, gas detection, temperature, Infrared and humidity.  She co-owned Teltherm Instruments until late 2016 and has formidable metrology technical expertise.  Anne is still actively involved in Teltherm Instruments, where she enjoys the technical challenges of metrology, growing the laboratory scope and training the staff.

∞ Jacinta Hurst
Partner and Laboratory Manager, Envirolab Services

Jacinta is laboratory manager for Envirolab Services. She is a signatory for all tests (except asbestos & SPOCAS) that cover the analysis of soil, water and other matricies by techniques of GC, GC/MS, ICP-AES, ICP-MS AAS and classical techniques.  Jacinta is a NATA Technical Assessor in the field of Chemical Testing for Organics, an Appointed Analyst under NSW DECC legislation and participates in a range of technical groups, reviewing methodology for Australian Standards, ISO and Sydney Water.

∞ Kirsty Russell
General Manager, CPS (NZ) Ltd

Kirsty splits her time between managing CPS and sales. She has worked in every role at CPS and has in-depth knowledge of the industry.  Kirsty is as comfortable in her role as business leader, as she is problem solving for clients, happily taking to the tools to make or modify equipment to clients needs. 

If you would like further information about the MSA including how to become a member, please see our website (www.metrology.asn.au).  Women are particularly encouraged to join the MSA’s management/executive team and may contact Anne Evans (secretary@metrology.asn.au) or Daniel Burke (president@metrology.asn.au) to learn more.

The MSA gratefully acknowledges the John Morris Group for their support of the MSA’s Women in Metrology program.