Quantifying the structural order in amorphous and partially ordered solids, and the effects of such order on solid-state properties, has been a longstanding challenge in the fields of amorphous glasses, semiconductors, and metals. Significant new understanding has emerged during the past few years thanks to advances in experimental techniques, theoretical approaches, and simulation of structure and properties. The International Conference on Nanoscale Order in Amorphous and Partially Ordered Solids was held at Trinity College, Cambridge UK on July 9–11, 2007. The intent of the workshop was to bring together leading researchers from around the world to report their recent work, discuss the state of the field, and chart future directions. These interactions took place formally via 21 oral and 21 poster presentations, and informally via walks in the Fellows Garden and of course in the pubs of Cambridge. We believe that we speak for all the participants in declaring the conference a great success. The meeting was supported by the FEI company, the US National Science Foundation and Trinity College Cambridge; we are very grateful for their generous support. We would also like to thank the staff and publishers of Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter for their assistance and efficiency in producing this volume.