Dr Charles Clifford is a senior research scientist in the Surface Technology Group at the National Physical Laboratory, the UK’s national metrology laboratory. He has extensive experience in surface analysis, nanoscience measurement and characterization and international standardization. He is head of the UK delegation to ISO/TC229 (nanotechnologies), CEN TC 352 (European nanotechnologies) and IEC TC113 (electrotechnical nanotechnologies). He is also UK secretary to ISO TC201 (surface chemical analysis). He leads and participates in collaborative projects with a focus on nanomaterials and analysis at the nanoscale. These include projects on graphene standardization through to measurement on nanoparticles in tissues. He has a background in scanning probe microscopy with a focus on developing and understanding scanning probe microscopy techniques in order to give quantitative information on a surface at the nanoscale beyond ‘pretty pictures’.