EDITOR: GEORGE H. MORfllSON
C!mchemistry
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The Gordon Research ConferencesGolden Jubilee This year marks the Golden Jubilee of the Gordon Research Conferences, which have become a unique and vital medium for the exchange of ideas and information. The conferences, which were started by Johns Hopkins University chemistry professor Neil E. Gordon, have grown in number from one in 1931 to 115 this year. Each brings together about 100 researchers for five days in an environment that encourages informality and maximum interaction. Conferees include scientists from academia, industry, and government who are active a t the frontiers of an expanding field. Most of the conferences are held during the summer on campuses of private schools in rural New Hampshire. A limited number of talks are scheduled, and ample time is allowed for discussion. T o encourage open exchange of ideas, the talks and discussions are not recorded. The first conferences of direct interest to analytical chemists were those on “Instrumentation” starting in 1946 and “Ion Exchange” starting in 1949. In 1950, the first conference on “Current Trends in Analytical Chemistry” was held, with leading speakers such as N.H. Furman, H.S. Strain, R.H. Muller, Charles E. White, Grant Wernimont, W.J. Youden, J.J. Lingane, W.E. Campbell, and C.W. Gould covering the topics of instrumental analysis, chromatographic adsorption, fluorescence analysis, statistical methods of analysis, electrical methods of analysis, and organic analysis. T o mark the Golden Jubilee year, the theme of the conference on “Analytical Chemistry,” being held this month a t the New Hampton School, is “Research Trade-off T o Achieve Selectivity in Analyses, Sensitivity of Detection, and Speciation in Determinations.” The conference chairman, Frederick Brech, has organized an excellent program (see the May issue of ANALYTICALCHEMISTRY,p 713 A) that properly reflects the health and vigor of the discipline. There is no shortage of meetings today for the oral communication of research results; however, the Gordon Conferences are something special. They provide a forum where young researchers and graduate students have an opportunity to meet and interact with established leaders in the field. Over the years, many careers have been launched, and lifelong friendships established at these conferences. More importantly, new ideas generated a t these conferences have had a profound influence on the future of analytical chemistry.
Manuscript requirements are published in the January 1981 issue, page 139. Manuscripts for publication (4 copies) should be submitted to ANALYTiCAL CHEMISTRY at the ACS Washington address. The American Chemical Society and its editors assume no responsibility for the statements and opinions advanced by contributors. Views expressed in the editorials are those of the editors and do not necessarily ‘represent the official position of the American Chemical Society.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 53, NO. 9, AUGUST 1981
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