The A.E. Alexander Lecture was established in 1978 to commemorate Professor Albert ‘Alex’ Alexander FAA FRACI, who was Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Sydney from 1957–1970.

The Alexander Lecturer is an eminent scientist who has contributed particularly to colloid and surface science in Australasia.

The award was established as a result of an appeal by the University of Sydney and the Royal Australian Chemical Institute's Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry. Initially, the lecture was delivered at a national meeting of the RACI Colloid and Surface Chemistry Division and at the University of Sydney. RACI reached an agreement with ACIS to transfer their role in administering and selecting the Alexander lecturer to the Board of ACIS in 2014. The lecture is now delivered at a national meeting of the Australasian Colloid and Interface Society and at the University of Sydney.

Previous Alexander Lecturers: