Paul Brewer receives Institute of Physics (IOP) Silver Medal for global impact on air quality monitoring

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Paul Brewer, NPL Fellow, has been awarded the 2026 Institute of Physics Edward Appleton Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to atmospheric science and his leadership in improving the accuracy of ozone measurements used around the world.

The award acknowledges Paul's pivotal role in resolving a long-standing scientific challenge at the heart of global air-quality monitoring. Working in collaboration with leading experts from the international atmospheric science and metrology communities, he helped address inconsistencies in the ozone absorption cross-section, a fundamental parameter used to measure atmospheric ozone and underpin air-quality assessments worldwide.

Through a comprehensive review of more than 60 years of scientific research, supported by new independent laboratory measurements, Paul led a five-year international task group that successfully established a new global reference value. The revised value is approximately 1.2% lower than the previous standard and six times more accurate, representing a significant advancement in the reliability of ozone measurements.

The impact of this work extends far beyond the scientific community. The new reference value has now been implemented across global monitoring networks and incorporated into legislation and regulatory frameworks. As a result, governments, researchers and policymakers can have greater confidence in the air-quality data used to inform environmental policy and decision-making. The achievement strengthens efforts to protect human health, safeguard ecosystems and support agricultural resilience through more accurate environmental monitoring.

Speaking about the recognition, Paul emphasised the collaborative nature of the achievement. He paid tribute to colleagues whose expertise and commitment were instrumental to the success of the project. The award highlights the power of international scientific collaboration to address complex global challenges and demonstrates how advances in measurement science can deliver real-world benefits. Through his leadership and dedication, Paul's work has helped establish a more accurate foundation for air-quality monitoring worldwide, providing lasting benefits for science, society and the environment.

View Paul's profile here

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