John Williams

John Williams is an Adjunct Professor in Public Policy and Environmental Management at the Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University, and an Adjunct Professor in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management at the Institute Water, Land and Society, Charles Sturt University. A founding member of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, he is recognized as one of Australia's most respected scientists with extensive national and international leadership in natural-resource management.

His research centers on agricultural production's environmental impact, specializing in soil physics and hydrology. Key interests include water movement through plant root zones, groundwater recharge/discharge dynamics, and landscape interactions involving rivers, wetlands, and springs. His work critically examines water management systems, particularly within the Murray-Darling Basin ecosystem.

Dr. Williams has received prestigious scientific awards including:

• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering
• Farrer Memorial Medal for achievement and excellence in agricultural science

He is the author of influential publications such as "High and dry", "Water wars in the Murray-Darling Basin", "Toxic: what is rotten in the Murray-Darling Basin?", and "Declaring a water emergency". Previously, he served as Commissioner of the NSW Natural Resources Commission until recent retirement, following his role as Chief Scientist for the NSW Department of Natural Resources after retiring from CSIRO as Chief of Land and Water in 2004.