European Metrology Network POLMO | AGM 2026
In June, I visited the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Teddington, to participate in the European Metrology Network Pollution Monitoring (PolMo) Stakeholder Meeting 2026. I was invited to serve as a panellist in the roundtable discussion, ‘Why and How to Better Integrate Metrology in European and National Project Calls on Environmental Monitoring?’, chaired by Dr Thierry Le Goff, our collaborator from NML.
I was the only academic researcher on the panel, with most participants representing industry, National Metrology Institutes, and the wider European metrology community. Given the strong metrology background of the audience, discussions focused on strengthening the integration of metrology within environmental monitoring research and funding programmes. During the session, I introduced EBIC and its vision to the community and highlighted the role of metrology in Engineering Biology, where it can enhance confidence, reproducibility, standardisation, and the translation of research into deployable technologies.
Some of the key points discussed included:
- The value of metrology in improving confidence, reliability, and comparability of Engineering Biology research outcomes.
- Challenges associated with securing dedicated funding for metrology when it serves as a supporting rather than central project component.
- The importance of metrological validation against gold-standard methods to accelerate technology translation and commercialisation.
- The role of metrology in harmonising methodologies across laboratories and application sectors.
- The need for standards and guidelines for emerging bio-based sensing materials and technologies.
While much of the discussion focused on environmental monitoring, I emphasised the opportunities for metrology within Engineering Biology and highlighted our ongoing collaboration with NML. The panel also discussed the UK’s leadership in Engineering Biology, UKRI’s commitment to the sector, and the importance of embedding metrology principles within future Engineering Biology training and doctoral programmes.
Overall, it was a valuable learning experience and an excellent opportunity to engage with metrology stakeholders while showcasing the role of Engineering Biology, EBIC, and our collaborative work with NML.
Author
Dr Dhiman Chakravarty, of EBIC & Cranfield University, on attending the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), to participate in the European Metrology Network Pollution Monitoring (PolMo) Stakeholder Meeting 2026 in June 2026.
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