Speakers Profile - Robyn Williams AM










Travels From:
Sydney

Fee Range: E


Robyn Williams is a science journalist and presenter of Radio National's Science Show (since 1975), Ockham's Razor and In Conversation. A fascinating and engaging presenter, he infuses his presentations with wit and humour - and has the enviable ability to make science interesting and fascinating for almost anyone.

Robyn Williams is as prominent on radio as he is on television, having narrated programs such as Nature of Australia, and Catalyst, and appeared on World Safari with David Attenborough.

He has conducted countless interviews with scientists for ABC TV and he hosted a link between leading scientists of Australia and the United Kingdom at the Grand Launch for the Royal Institution of Great Britain, attended by David Attenborough and the Queen.

Robyn Williams is highly respected in the academic world. In 1993 he was the first journalist elected as a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science. In 1988, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Science from the Universities of Sydney, Macquarie and Deakin. The ANU awarded him a Doctorate of Law, and he is a Visiting Professor at the University of NSW and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Queensland.

Robyn Williams was appointed AM in the 1988 Australian Bicentenary Honours list. He was elected a National Living Treasure by the National Trust in 1987 and even has a star named after him by the Sydney Observatory. Robyn has served in various positions including President of the Australian Museum Trust, Deputy Chairman of the Commission For The Future, and President of The ANZAAS Congress. He is an Ambassador of the Queensland Museum Foundation.

Robyn Williams has written over 10 books, the latest being a novel, 2007: A True Story Waiting To Happen. In 1994, Robyn Williams took up a Reuters Fellowship at Oxford University where he wrote his autobiography And Now For Something Completely Different, in deference to one of his most popular interviews with John Cleese on psychiatry. His book, Future Perfect, focuses on cities, transport, communication, education and science.

Although Robyn Williams graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in England, he admits to having spent as much time acting as he has studying. Early in his career he made guest appearances in The Goodies, Monty Python's Flying Circus and Dr Who and stood in for Tom Jones for four months in his TV series.

A superb communicator whose penetrating interpretations are enhanced by a lively wit, Robyn's unique mix of humour and fact is both stimulating and entertaining.

TESTIMONIALS:

"Articulate, thoughtful and witty. Robyn was both challenging and entertaining - an unusual achievement for most after-dinner speakers".
-National Parks and Wildlife Society

"Wow! Robyn Williams was wonderful- just what the luncheon needed - humour and information".
-Institution of Engineers

"Robyn is an inspirational speaker. He had a great feel for the audience and added considerable value to the conference".
-Reed Business Publishing

"Robyn Williams is a very professional and interesting speaker who captivated everybody's imagination and interest".
-Science Teachers Association of WA

�I heard positive comments from the CEO and the President of the College. Personally I found his talk interesting, relevant in a broad sense, and was impressed by the amount of work he had put into it. There was a lot of information in there!�
-The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia

"Very good. Compliments all extremely positive."
-Especially Australian