Author Biographies

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Flannery, Dr Tim

2007 Australian of the Year Awards

Since 1960 our nation has celebrated the achievement and contribution of eminent citizens through the Australian of the Year Awards. The awards profile leading Australians who are role models for us all.

So what does it feel like to be named Australian of the Year? According to 2007 recipient Tim Flannery, "Being named Australian of the Year is the greatest honour, and the greatest responsibility all rolled into one. Total strangers greet you as a friend and above all it is fun". For more information on Australian of the Year Awards visit www.australianoftheyear.gov.au

The Author...

Tim Flannery is one of the world's leading writer-scientists and thinkers and an internationally acclaimed explorer and environmentalist. Sir David Attenborough described him as being in the league of all-time great explorers such as David Livingstone. Tim has shown that human activity is drastically altering Earth's climate and that these changes will have a devastating effect of life on this planet. He wants to mobilise the social and political will to address this problem before it's too late. That's why he wrote an important and provocative book The Weather Makers, which debuted on the New York Times bestseller list and which also won this 2006 NSW Premier's Book of the Year award. Tim helps us understand the predicament we face, carefully laying out the science and showing us the likely effects of human-induced climate change. But he also offers us hope of a solution to stop and ultimately reverse this trend

His other bestselling books – including The Future Eaters, The Eternal Frontier and Throwim Way Leg – have also been published to international acclaim.

Media Release

Macquarie University welcomes Dr Tim Flannery as Professor in Division of Environmental and Life Sciences May 8, 2006 www.pr.mq.edu.au

Director of the South Australian Museum Dr Tim Flannery resigned from his position to take up a professorial position at Macquarie University, which he will begin on 1 August.

At Macquarie University, Flannery will build a research unit within the Division of Environmental and Life Sciences focusing on biodiversity, evolution and climate change.

He has also accepted a role as adviser and ambassador on climate change to the Premier of South Australia Mike Rann.

Flannery said that he has enjoyed building research and public programs at the South Australian Museum which, since its re-opening in 2000 has become the most successful museum in Australia.

However, he is looking forward to developing climate change policy with Premier Rann and to conducting climate change research at Macquarie University.

For more information on 2007 Australian of the Year Awards click here