Mass Spectrometry Down Under: Melbourne’s Strategic Role in Global Science
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2nd Jun, 2025
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In August 2024, Australia hosted a milestone event on the global analytical science calendar. The 25th International Mass Spectrometry Conference (IMSC) took place in Melbourne, marking the first time the event had been held in the Southern Hemisphere. The conference brought together over 1,100 researchers, scientists, and professionals from across the globe to explore advances in mass spectrometry, a foundational technique in modern science used to identify chemical compositions by measuring the mass of particles. It is widely applied across health diagnostics, pharmaceutical development, climate science, planetary exploration and many other fields.
Supported by Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and Business Events Australia, IMSC2024 was a strategic example of how Australia uses international conferences to showcase national research strengths, foster global collaboration, and leave long-term professional legacies. It reflected the country’s broader strategy of aligning its business events pipeline with sectoral priorities such as health, sustainability, and advanced technology.
Scientific Programme and Delegate Reach
Melbourne’s reputation as a global knowledge hub was key to its selection as host city. "Melbourne Convention Bureau was absolutely instrumental in us winning the bid to host the conference here," said Gavin Reid, IMSC2024 Co-Chair. "The support we received from them as well as Tourism Australia enabled us to show that we could put a financially viable programme together that allowed us to attract international delegates."
The event took place at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), which has strong links with University of Melbourne, Monash University, and the Melbourne Biomedical Precinct. These institutions are active in sectors where mass spectrometry is particularly relevant, including bioinformatics, environmental science, and food safety.
The scientific programme was structured around three thematic pillars: Life Sciences, Environmental and Earth Sciences, and Fundamentals and Instrumentation. Sessions explored mass spectrometry’s application in areas such as proteomics, clinical diagnostics, planetary science, mining, agriculture, and food chemistry.
The inclusion of climate research, food security, and sustainability underscored mass spectrometry’s relevance in tackling complex societal challenges. These themes also reflected Australia’s and Melbourne’s strategic focus on sustainability, reinforcing their position as leaders in hosting science-driven, purpose-led business events. The event also embedded career development opportunities, with a clear emphasis on early-career researchers. “The conference itself brings together people from all over the world to this amazing venue to discuss mass spectrometry from everybody’s different perspective,” said Professor Dame Carol Robinson, Director of the Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery at Oxford.
IMSC2024 created a rare platform for Australian and international postgraduate students and professors to present research on an international stage. “My perspective of Australia since my last visit has changed and in a very positive manner,” said Professor Ron Heeren, President of the International Mass Spectrometry Foundation. “The productivity and the innovations that are coming out of Australia have grown tremendously.”
Australia’s geographical position ensured strong participation from across the Asia-Pacific region. “As a gateway between Western and Eastern Hemispheres,” said Professor Myeong Hee Moon of Yonsei University (South Korea), “Australia attracts a considerable number of international attendees from Europe and America and many delegates from Asian countries.”
Cultural Inclusion and Long-Term Impact
IMSC2024 also foregrounded cultural context. Conference organisers acknowledged the significance of holding the event on unceded Indigenous land, and highlighted Australia’s 60,000-year Indigenous heritage. Delegates were invited to participate in Australia’s First Nations experiences during their time in Melbourne, with cultural programming woven into the event’s structure.
The scientific content itself reflected this engagement. Mass spectrometry’s role in studying cultural artefacts and traditional medicines was included in the programme, offering a tangible link between scientific inquiry and First Nations knowledge. The Australian and New Zealand Society for Mass Spectrometry (ANZSMS) and the International Mass Spectrometry Foundation (IMSF) underscored a broader commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with cultural background and representation a key consideration in the conference’s design.
The event’s long-term legacy will be realised through multiple channels. Revenue generated is being used to fund international travel for early-career researchers across Australia and New Zealand, allowing them to present their work at future conferences. These opportunities support mobility, global partnerships, and continued learning, extending the event’s impact beyond its formal schedule.
IMSC2024 also helped solidify Australia’s status as a host for knowledge-based conferences that deliver both sectoral value and professional development. By attracting global attention to its research capacity, event infrastructure, and inclusive scientific culture, Australia strengthened its international visibility and provided a meaningful experience for visiting delegates.
IMSC2024 in Melbourne showcased how targeted business events can support national research objectives, nurture scientific careers and encourage inclusive cultural exchange. With coordinated support from the MCB and Business Events Australia, the conference provided clear benefits to researchers, organisers and the wider scientific community.
To explore more about how Australia is creating long-term impact through science, sustainability, and innovation events, read HQ’s Australia Destination Report.
Published by Meeting Media Group, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.
