Professor Tim Flannery (MSc 1981)

Distinguished Alumni Award 2008

Photo: Adam Bruzzone

Tim Flannery was nominated by Professor John Long (BSc(Hons) 1981, PhD 1984) for his “outstanding achievements … in making research accessible to the public and in having a truly great effect on the way Australians now think about the environment.” Professor Flannery is an acclaimed writer, scientist and explorer and was the 2007 Australian of the Year and 2005 Australian Humanist of the Year.

Professor Flannery has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed scientific papers and has written numerous books, including his international bestseller on global warming The Weather Makers: The history and future impact of climate change. His literary opinions are highly sought after and he is a regular book reviewer for the prestigious New York Review of Books.

While arguably best known in Australia for his commentary on environmental issues, Professor Flannery has a distinguished record in the fields of zoology and palaeontology. Professor Long writes that during expeditions to Papua New Guinea in the 1980s and 1990s “Tim found many amazing discoveries, including two new species of tree kangaroo, the Dsingo (Dendrolagus mbaiso) and the Tenkele (Dendrolagus scottae). These were the first large new mammals discovered anywhere in the world for almost 50 years. … Of particular note in his modern zoological research was the rediscovery of Bulmers Bat (Aproteles bulmerae) from New Guinea, long thought to be extinct.”

In supporting the nomination of Professor Flannery, Mr Michael Frankel AM (BA 1981, LLB 1981) states: “Tim Flannery has made, and continues to make, exceptional and inspirational contributions to our culture, communities and the nation. … He has changed the way we see ourselves, challenged the way we engage with our lands and thus greatly influenced the way we think.”

Download the video presentation about Professor Flannery:
- Windows Media Video (WMV) (2:12 minutes duration, 3.6mb)
- Quicktime Video (MPEG-4) (2:12 minutes duration, 4.9mb)
- Text version

Links:

Tim Flannery 'prominent alumni' profile