Dr John Williams FTSE is a founding member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and holds the prestigious Farrer Memorial Medal for achievement and excellence in agricultural science.

He is one of Australia’s most respected and trusted scientists, with extensive experience in providing national and international thought-leadership in natural-resource management, particularly in agricultural production and its environmental impact. He trained as a soil physicist/hydrologist with particular interests in water movement through the plant root zone to recharge groundwater and how groundwater is both discharged and recharged to and from the landscape through rivers, wetlands and springs.

John retired recently after nearly six years as Commissioner of the NSW Natural Resources Commission (NRC). He was former Chief Scientist, NSW Department of Natural Resources following his retirement from CSIRO as Chief of Land and Water in 2004. John is currently Adjunct Professor in Public Policy and Environmental Management at Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University and Adjunct Professor, Agriculture and Natural Resource Management, Institute Water, Land and Society, Charles Sturt University. He is also Director of John Williams Scientific Services Pty Ltd, which provides strategic advice and analysis in Agriculture and the Natural Resource Sciences.