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AITKENVALE QLD 4814 AUSTRALIA
Biography
Ian’s research interests can be broadly described as exploring the scale of opportunity for the development of northern Australia and the social, economic, cultural and ecological risks which attend that opportunity. An example of one such project, working in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland was the Northern Australia Water Resource Assessment (NAWRA - https://www.csiro.au/en/Showcase/NAWRA). He currently leads the Northern Australian Futures Initiative within CSIRO, aimed at ensuring a secure, prosperous and flourishing north through supporting new industries and enterprises and building pathways to more sustainable outcomes.
In 2007, Ian joined CSIRO Townsville in Queensland as Program Leader of the Rangelands and Savannas Program and subsequently the Tropical and Arid Systems Program, which had staff at multiple sites across Australia. He was a Group Leader within the Agriculture and Food Business Unit from 2011 to 2020. He was also appointed, in its final stages (2014 to 2017) as Director of the African Food Security Initiative in west, central and east Africa.
Prior to joining CSIRO, Ian was with the Department of Agriculture Western Australia for more than 20 years working with the extensive grazing industry. He has a background in rangeland management and pastoral management, principally in the arid zone. He managed the Western Australian Rangeland Monitoring System (WARMS), inspected pastoral lease conditions and tried to better understand how climate variability and drought affected both the rangeland environment and those people managing the rangelands.
In 2009, Ian shared the Ecological Society of America's 'Sustainability Science Award' for his role in co-authoring a paper that drew lessons from episodes of degradation and recovery in Australian rangelands. He has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from the University of Sydney and a Doctor of Philosophy from Macquarie University. His doctoral studies focused on arid zone ecology.
Other Interests
Ian kitefoils in the warm waters off Townsville.
Professional Areas
Fields of Research
Current Roles
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2021 - current
Member, JCU-CSIRO Collaborative Agreement Operations Committee
Academic Qualifications
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1983
BSc in Agr.
University of Sydney -
1996
PhD
Macquarie University
Professional Experiences
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2011-2020
Group Leader
CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences then CSIRO Agriculture and Food -
2017-2021
Agriculture and Food Business Unit representative
CSIRO's Indigenous Engagement Implementation Committee -
2010-2019
Site Leader, Townsville Site
CSIRO -
2010-2020
Director
Tropical Landscapes Joint Venture (JCU-CSIRO) -
2014-2017
Director
African Food Security Initiative -
2007-2011
Research Program Leader
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems then CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences -
1985-2007
Rangeland Advisor
Department of Agriculture Western Australia
Achievements and Awards
-
2009-2009
Sustainability Science Award (shared)
Ecological Society of America -
2015-2015
Agriculture Director's Awards - Integrity
CSIRO
Publications
ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9814-7152
We have publications by Dr Ian Watson