Quality Assurance in Analytical Chemistry

Elizabeth Prichard obtained a first degree in Chemistry from the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, where she went on to obtain her doctorate studying infrared spectroscopy. After a Civil Service Research Fellowship, she moved into academia, initially at Bedford College and then Royal Holloway and Bedford New College, University of London before moving to the University of Warwick as a Senior Research Fellow. While at London University, she continued her research in spectroscopy, as well as some work in biophysical chemistry. At the University of Warwick, she researched the release profiles of steroids from implanted contraceptive devices. During her time at London University, Elizabeth spent sabbatical periods at the Division of Materials Application, NPL, the Biophysics and Biochemistry Department, Wellcome Research Foundation, Beckenham and then as Associate Professor sponsored by the British Council at the University of Gezira and at the University of Khartoum, Sudan.

In 1992, Elizabeth was seconded from the University of Warwick to the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (which became LGC in 1996) to manage the production of the first edition of this book which was part of the ACOL Series. Elizabeth had been an editor for this series since its inception in the late 1980s. In 1997, Elizabeth joined the staff of LGC as Head of Education and Training. She developed there a Quality Assurance Training Programme and continues to deliver these courses. As part of the Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) programme, she also developed courses in analytical science appropriate for A-level chemistry teachers and a Proficiency Testing (PT) competition for the students. She has been involved in the production of a number of quality assurance products for all levels of learning from school to the professional analyst, including books, videos, CDs and web-based e-learning material. In addition, Elizabeth has been a partner in EU projects in the area of quality assurance – these include the QUACHA and SWIFT-WFD projects.

During the last fifteen years, Elizabeth has lectured and delivered training courses on quality assurance topics in the UK, Europe and USA.

Vicki Barwick, B.Sc

Vicki Barwick obtained a first degree in Chemistry from the University of Nottingham. She then joined the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (which became LGC in 1996) as an analyst in the Consumer Safety Group. Vicki was involved with a number of projects to assess the safety of consumer products, including developing test methods for the identification of colourants in cosmetics and the quantitation of phthalate plasticizers in child-care items.

After five years as an analyst, Vicki moved within LGC to work on the DTIfunded Valid Analytical Measurement (VAM) programme. In this role, she was responsible for providing advice and developing guidance on method validation, measurement uncertainty and statistics. One of her key projects involved the development of approaches for evaluating the uncertainty in results obtained from chemical test methods. During this time, Vicki also became involved with the development and delivery of training courses on topics such as method validation, measurement uncertainty, quality systems and statistics for analytical chemists.

In 2002, Vicki moved into a full-time education and training role at LGC. She is currently the Project Manager for VAM knowledge transfer projects aimed at promoting the adoption of the principles of valid analytical measurement. This involves the production of training resources and the organization of workshops for A-level students and their teachers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and professional analysts. Vicki is also responsible for the development and delivery of LGC’s Quality Assurance Training Courses.

Over the last ten years, Vicki has lectured extensively on quality assurance topics and has co-authored a number of papers, books and guides.