Host of ABC Radio National’s The Science Show Robyn Williams AM presented with the Australian Museum Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Published
    06 August 2015
  • Read time
    2 minutes

Science journalist and broadcaster Robyn Williams AM will presents the 2015 Annual Australian Museum Research Institute Address "The First Forty Years of The Science Show"

Following the address, Catherine Livingstone AO, President of the Australian Museum will present Robyn Williams with the 2015 Australian Museum Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a lifetime of advancing public knowledge, communication and understanding of science.

Williams will discuss the animals, plants and ancient people have been the stars of The Science Show since it began on August 30, 1975: birds' brains (so much more powerful than we thought), dog evolution (not 17,000 years but nearer 40,000) and Aboriginal history – who can forget John Mulvaney and Mungo?

Williams’ will also discuss revolutions in science in Australia in the last five years and how this affects the Australian Museum’s research now and in the future.

Robyn Williams AM

Robyn Williams has a long association with the Australian Museum, which was made official in 1984 when he joined the Australian Museum Trust. Robyn went on to become President of the Trust in 1986, a position he held for eight years. In 1987, Robyn was proclaimed a National Living Treasure and in 1988 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for service to science. He has received Honorary Doctorates of Science from Deakin University, the University of Sydney, Macquarie University and the University of NSW, and an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the Australian National University. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of NSW and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland. Robyn has been Chairman of the Commission for the Future and President of the Australian Science Communicators. In 1993, Robyn was the first journalist elected as a Fellow Member of the Australian Academy of Science.

Australian Museum Research Institute Annual Address

In 2013 the Australian Museum renamed its science division the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI). This recognises the Museum's long and significant history in science, and also the impact of its current work locally and internationally. AMRI brings together a team of 70 scientists including research scientists, collection scientists, collection officers and more than 100 associates, fellows and students. AMRI's research focuses on some of today’s major challenges including climate change impacts on biodiversity, biosecurity and understanding what constitutes and influences effective wildlife conservation.

The annual AMRI Address is delivered by an eminent individual from a field relevant to the work of the Australian Museum and honours achievement to further understanding of science.

The inaugural AMRI Address was delivered in 2014 by former Australian of the Year and former Australian Museum Research Scientist, Professor Tim Flannery.