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'''Robyn Williams''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AOh|FAA}} (born 30 January 1944) is an Australian science [[journalist]] and [[Television presenter|broadcaster]] who has hosted the ''Science Show'' on [[ABC Radio National]] since 1975, and created ''Ockham's Razor'' in 1984.
'''Robyn Williams''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|AOh|FAA}} (born 30 January 1944) is a British/Australian science [[journalist]] and [[Television presenter|broadcaster]] who has hosted the ''Science Show'' on [[ABC Radio National]] since 1975, and created ''Ockham's Razor'' in 1984.


==Early life and education==
==Background==
Williams was born on 30 January 1944<ref name=swinburne>{{cite web | publisher= [[Swinburne University of Technology]]| title=Williams, Robyn |website= Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation | date=25 May 2001 | url=https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P003498b.htm | access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref name=encyc/> in [[Wales]]<ref name="Johnson 2022"/> or [[High Wycombe]], [[Buckinghamshire]], England.<ref name=encyc/>{{efn|Sources vary as to place of birth; the Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation says [[Buckinghamshire]]<ref name=swinburne/>, and [[Encyclopedia.com]] says [[High Wycombe]], Bucks.<ref name=encyc>{{cite web | title=Williams, Robyn 1944- | website=Encyclopedia.com | date=30 January 1944 | url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/williams-robyn-1944 | access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref> Using 2022 ABC source for now.}} His father was a coalminer.<ref name="Johnson 2022">{{cite web | last=Johnson | first=Natasha | website=ABC News | title =Robyn Williams, host of ABC RN's The Science Show, on 50 years of broadcasting and the day Norman Swan saved his life | date=29 May 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/backstory/2022-05-28/robyn-williams-50-years-abc-science-norman-swan-saved-his-life/101104326 | publisher =[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref>
Williams was born on 30 January 1944<ref name=swinburne>{{cite web | publisher= [[Swinburne University of Technology]]| title=Williams, Robyn |website= Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation | date=25 May 2001 | url=https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P003498b.htm | access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref><ref name=encyc/> in [[Wales]]<ref name="Johnson 2022"/> or [[High Wycombe]], [[Buckinghamshire]], England.<ref name=encyc/>{{efn|Sources vary as to place of birth; the Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation says [[Buckinghamshire]]<ref name=swinburne/>, and [[Encyclopedia.com]] says [[High Wycombe]], Bucks.<ref name=encyc>{{cite web | title=Williams, Robyn 1944- | website=Encyclopedia.com | date=30 January 1944 | url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/educational-magazines/williams-robyn-1944 | access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref> Using 2022 ABC source for now.}} His father, Gwyn, has been variously reported as a [[trade union|union]] executive and journalist,<ref name=encyc/> or a coalminer who also studied engineering.<ref name="Johnson 2022">{{cite web | last=Johnson | first=Natasha | website=ABC News | title =Robyn Williams, host of ABC RN's The Science Show, on 50 years of broadcasting and the day Norman Swan saved his life | date=29 May 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/backstory/2022-05-28/robyn-williams-50-years-abc-science-norman-swan-saved-his-life/101104326 | publisher =[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> His mother, Ray (nee Davis), was Jewish, from [[London]]'s [[East End]], and worked as a translator.<ref name=encyc/>


Williams attended various schools in London, including [[Tooting Bec]] Grammar, as well as spending a few years at a German language school in [[Vienna]], Austria.<ref name=encyc/>
⚫
He graduated from the [[University of London]] with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. During this period he was active in university [[actor|acting]] and was hired as an extra in [[BBC]] series ''[[The Goodies (TV series)|The Goodies]]'', ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' and ''[[Doctor Who]]''.<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>
Williams first spent time in Australia in 1964 and worked as a temporary clerk at the [[Decimal Currency Board of Australia]], among other jobs. He moved back to London with his Australian wife to study science.<ref name=encyc/>
⚫
He graduated from the [[University of London]] with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. During this period he was active in university [[actor|acting]] and was hired as an extra in [[BBC]] series ''[[The Goodies (TV series)|The Goodies]]'', ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' and ''[[Doctor Who]]''.<ref name="Johnson 2022"/><ref name=encyc/>


==Professional life==
==Professional life==
Williams emigrated to Australia and joined the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) Science Unit in 1972 where, after several years in background production and interviewing for the ''Insight'' program, he hosted ''Innovations'' in early 1974,<ref>"Prof Lovejoy lives", ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 30 September 1974: 14.</ref> ''Investigations'' (2-hour format) from 6 November 1974. <ref>"Anyone can talk science", ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 28 October 1974: 11.</ref> In 1975 he began hosting ''The Science Show'', a one-hour science-based radio interview show.<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>
He joined the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] (ABC) Science Unit in 1972 where, after several years in background production and interviewing for the ''Insight'' program, he hosted ''Innovations'' in early 1974,<ref>"Prof Lovejoy lives", ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 30 September 1974: 14.</ref> ''Investigations'' (2-hour format) from 6 November 1974. <ref>"Anyone can talk science", ''[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]'', 28 October 1974: 11.</ref> In 1975 he began hosting ''The Science Show'', a one-hour science-based radio interview show.<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>

''Ockham's Razor'' followed in 1984, with Williams introducing a leading scientist or personality who then expounds from a prepared text on a topic of their choice, with a view to making a subject simple and accessible to the public, hence the title relating to the famous [[Occam's razor|statement on parsimony]] by [[William of Ockham]]. ''In Conversation'' commenced in 1997, with Williams interviewing the personality.<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>
''Ockham's Razor'' followed in 1984, with Williams introducing a leading scientist or personality who then expounds from a prepared text on a topic of their choice, with a view to making a subject simple and accessible to the public, hence the title relating to the famous [[Occam's razor|statement on parsimony]] by [[William of Ockham]]. ''In Conversation'' commenced in 1997, with Williams interviewing the personality.<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>


==Other media work==
==Other media work==
* Narrating ''Nature of Australia'', a series for ABC TV;
* Narrating ''Nature of Australia'', a series for ABC TV
* Appearing in ''World Safari'' with [[David Attenborough]];
* Appearing in ''World Safari'' with [[David Attenborough]]
⚫
* Instigating the establishment of the [[Eureka Prizes|Eureka Awards for Excellence in Science Communication and Innovation]] by the ABC and [[Australian Museum]]

⚫
At his instigation, the ABC and [[Australian Museum]] established the [[Eureka Prizes|Eureka Awards for Excellence in Science Communication and Innovation]].


==Trade union activism==
==Trade union activism==
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==Other roles==
==Other roles==

* Adjunct professor at the [[University of Queensland]]<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>
* Adjunct professor at the [[University of Queensland]]<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>

* Visiting professor at the [[University of New South Wales]]<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>
* Visiting professor at the [[University of New South Wales]]<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>
* Deputy Chair, Australian Science Media Centre, since 2012<ref name=ao2020/>
* Deputy Chair, Australian Science Media Centre, since 2012<ref name=ao2020/>
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* President, Australia and New Zealand Advancement of Science, 1992<ref name=ao2020/>
* President, Australia and New Zealand Advancement of Science, 1992<ref name=ao2020/>
* Chair, Australian Commission for the Future, 1990–1994<ref name=ao2020/>
* Chair, Australian Commission for the Future, 1990–1994<ref name=ao2020/>
* President of the [[Australian Museum]] Trust, 1986–1994<ref name=ao2020/>
* President of the [[Australian Museum]] Trust, 1986–1994<ref name=ao2020/><ref name=encyc/>
* Chairman of the Commission For The Future<ref name=anu/>
* Chairman of the Commission For The Future<ref name=anu/>

* President of [[Australian Science Communicators]]<ref name=anu/>
* President of [[Australian Science Communicators]]<ref name=anu/>
⚫
* President of the [[ANZAAS|Australian & New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science]] (ANZAAS) Congress in [[Brisbane]]<ref name=encyc/>

⚫
* President of the [[ANZAAS|Australian & New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science]] (ANZAAS) Congress held in Brisbane
* Co-Chairman of the Biology Department at the [[University of Texas, El Paso]]
* Co-Chairman of the Biology Department at the [[University of Texas, El Paso]]
* Member of the council of [[Voiceless, the animal protection institute]], 2009–?<ref>{{cite web | title=Robyn Williams | website=Voiceless | url=https://www.voiceless.org.au/who-we-are/robyn-williams | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228235212/https://www.voiceless.org.au/who-we-are/robyn-williams | archive-date=28 February 2017 | url-status=dead | access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>
* Member of the council of [[Voiceless, the animal protection institute]], 2009–?<ref>{{cite web | title=Robyn Williams | website=Voiceless | url=https://www.voiceless.org.au/who-we-are/robyn-williams | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228235212/https://www.voiceless.org.au/who-we-are/robyn-williams | archive-date=28 February 2017 | url-status=dead | access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>
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*2001: [[Centenary Medal]], 1 January, "For outstanding service in science communication"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1115865 |title=Mr Robyn Williams: Centenary Medal| website=Australian Honours Search Facility| publisher=[[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)]] |access-date= 30 May 2022}}</ref>
*2001: [[Centenary Medal]], 1 January, "For outstanding service in science communication"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1115865 |title=Mr Robyn Williams: Centenary Medal| website=Australian Honours Search Facility| publisher=[[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)]] |access-date= 30 May 2022}}</ref>
*2020: Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), 26 January, "For distinguished service to science as a journalist, radio presenter and author, and to education"<ref name=ao2020>{{Cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2006015 |title=Mr Robyn Williams [H]: Officer of the Order of Australia| website=Australian Honours Search Facility| publisher=[[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)]] |access-date= 30 May 2022}}</ref>
*2020: Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), 26 January, "For distinguished service to science as a journalist, radio presenter and author, and to education"<ref name=ao2020>{{Cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/2006015 |title=Mr Robyn Williams [H]: Officer of the Order of Australia| website=Australian Honours Search Facility| publisher=[[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia)]] |access-date= 30 May 2022}}</ref>
===Honorary doctorates===
===Academic honours===

{{as of|May 2022}} Williams has [[honorary doctorate]]s from seven universities:<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>
{{as of|May 2022}} Williams has [[honorary doctorate]]s from seven universities:<ref name="Johnson 2022"/>
* [[Australian National University]] (law)<ref name=anu>{{cite web | title=In conversation with Robyn Williams | website=[[ANU]] | date=13 September 2018 | url=https://www.anu.edu.au/events/in-conversation-with-robyn-williams | access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>
* [[Australian National University]] (law)<ref name=anu>{{cite web | title=In conversation with Robyn Williams | website=[[ANU]] | date=13 September 2018 | url=https://www.anu.edu.au/events/in-conversation-with-robyn-williams | access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>
* [[Deakin University]] (science)<ref name=anu/>
* [[Deakin University]] (science,<ref name=anu/> 1988<ref name=encyc/>)
* [[University of New South Wales]]
* [[University of New South Wales]]
* [[University of Queensland]]
* [[University of Queensland]]
* [[University of South Australia]]
* [[University of South Australia]]
* [[University of Sydney]] (science)<ref name=anu/>
* [[University of Sydney]] (science,<ref name=anu/> 1988<ref name=encyc/>)
* [[Macquarie University]] (science)<ref name=anu/>
* [[Macquarie University]] (science,<ref name=anu/> 1988<ref name=encyc/>)

⚫
He was a [[Reuters Fellow]] at the [[University of Oxford]] in 1994.<ref name=encyc/>

===Other recognition===
===Other recognition===
* [[list of Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science|Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science]],<ref name=swinburne/> the first journalist so honoured<ref name=anu/>
* [[list of Fellows of the Australian Academy of Science|Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science]],<ref name=swinburne/> the first journalist so honoured,<ref name=anu/> in 1993<ref name=encyc/>
* Proclaimed a [[Australian Living Treasures|Living National Treasures]] (1987)<ref name=anu/>
* Proclaimed a [[Australian Living Treasures|Living National Treasures]] (1987)<ref name=anu/>
* [[Australian Rostrum]] Speaker of the Year (1993)
* [[Australian Rostrum]] Speaker of the Year (1993)
* [[Australian Humanist of the Year]] (1993); awarded by the [[Council of Australian Humanist Societies]]
* [[Australian Humanist of the Year]] (1993); awarded by the [[Council of Australian Humanist Societies]]
⚫
* Reuter Fellow, [[University of Oxford]] (1994)
* Radio Prize from the [[Human Rights Commission]]
* Radio Prize from the [[Human Rights Commission]]
* [[United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize ]]
* [[United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize ]]
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
⚫
Williams is in a long-term relationship with [[Jonica Newby]],<ref name="Johnson 2022"/> a former presenter on [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC Television]]'s ''[[Catalyst (TV program)|Catalyst]]'' science journalism program. Williams underwent [[chemotherapy]] for [[colorectal cancer]] in 2014 and 2015; at one point he was hospitalised for five weeks but continued to make ''The Science Show'' from his hospital bed.<ref name="catalyst">{{cite web|last1=Newby|first1=Jonica|title=Catalyst - Exercise and Cancer - Transcript|url=http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4459555.htm|website=ABC Website|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=22 May 2016|date=15 May 2016}}</ref>
⚫
==Footnotes==


Williams met Pamela Traylor when in Australia for the first time, and they married on June 10, 1966 before both moving back to the UK, where he studied science. They had two children.<ref name=encyc/>
⚫
{{as of|2022}} Williams is in a long-term relationship with [[Jonica Newby]],<ref name="Johnson 2022"/> a former presenter on [[ABC Television (Australian TV network)|ABC Television]]'s ''[[Catalyst (TV program)|Catalyst]]'' science journalism program. Williams underwent [[chemotherapy]] for [[colorectal cancer]] in 2014 and 2015; at one point he was hospitalised for five weeks but continued to make ''The Science Show'' from his hospital bed.<ref name="catalyst">{{cite web| last1=Newby| first1=Jonica| title=Catalyst - Exercise and Cancer - Transcript|url=http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4459555.htm|website=ABC Website|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|accessdate=22 May 2016|date=15 May 2016}}</ref>

⚫
==Footnotes==
{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}


Revision as of 07:45, 30 May 2022

This article is about the Australian science journalist. For the Australian cricketer, see Robyn Williams (cricketer).
For other people with similar names, see Robin Williams (disambiguation).

Robyn Williams
AO
Born (1944-01-30) 30 January 1944 (age 80)
United Kingdom
Occupation(s)Science journalist, broadcaster

Robyn Williams AO FAA (born 30 January 1944) is a British/Australian science journalist and broadcaster who has hosted the Science Show on ABC Radio National since 1975, and created Ockham's Razor in 1984.

Early life and education

Williams was born on 30 January 1944[1][2] in Wales[3] or High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England.[2][a] His father, Gwyn, has been variously reported as a union executive and journalist,[2] or a coalminer who also studied engineering.[3] His mother, Ray (nee Davis), was Jewish, from London's East End, and worked as a translator.[2]

Williams attended various schools in London, including Tooting Bec Grammar, as well as spending a few years at a German language school in Vienna, Austria.[2] Williams first spent time in Australia in 1964 and worked as a temporary clerk at the Decimal Currency Board of Australia, among other jobs. He moved back to London with his Australian wife to study science.[2] He graduated from the University of London with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. During this period he was active in university acting and was hired as an extra in BBC series The Goodies, Monty Python's Flying Circus and Doctor Who.[3][2]

Professional life

He joined the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) Science Unit in 1972 where, after several years in background production and interviewing for the Insight program, he hosted Innovations in early 1974,[4] Investigations (2-hour format) from 6 November 1974. [5] In 1975 he began hosting The Science Show, a one-hour science-based radio interview show.[3] Ockham's Razor followed in 1984, with Williams introducing a leading scientist or personality who then expounds from a prepared text on a topic of their choice, with a view to making a subject simple and accessible to the public, hence the title relating to the famous statement on parsimony by William of Ockham. In Conversation commenced in 1997, with Williams interviewing the personality.[3]

Other media work

Trade union activism

In 1977, Williams gave an impassioned speech to the ABC Staff Association against ABC management's quiescence in the face of budget cuts and political interference. He said that a UK proposal that the government appoint one third of BBC board members had been publicly opposed by BBC management but that the ABC chairman acted as if he headed an organisation rivalling the BBC. Following his speech the meeting voted unanimously that it had no confidence in the ABC chair, John Norgard.[6]

Other roles

Honours, awards and recognition

Australian honours

  • 1988: Honorary Member of the Order of Australia (AM), 26 January, "For service to science, particularly in the fields of media and education"[10]
  • 2001: Centenary Medal, 1 January, "For outstanding service in science communication"[11]
  • 2020: Honorary Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), 26 January, "For distinguished service to science as a journalist, radio presenter and author, and to education"[7]

Academic honours

As of May 2022 Williams has honorary doctorates from seven universities:[3]

He was a Reuters Fellow at the University of Oxford in 1994.[2]

Other recognition

Publications

Williams has written many books, three of which were used in high school reading lists. His autobiography is And Now For Something Completely Different, a reference to an interview (on psychiatry) with Monty Python star John Cleese. His book, Future Perfect, focuses on cities, transport, communication, education and science.[13] He is the author of a dystopian novel 2007 (published in 2001) describing a rebellion of animals.[14]

Personal life

Williams met Pamela Traylor when in Australia for the first time, and they married on June 10, 1966 before both moving back to the UK, where he studied science. They had two children.[2] As of 2022 Williams is in a long-term relationship with Jonica Newby,[3] a former presenter on ABC Television's Catalyst science journalism program. Williams underwent chemotherapy for colorectal cancer in 2014 and 2015; at one point he was hospitalised for five weeks but continued to make The Science Show from his hospital bed.[15]

Footnotes

  1. ^ Sources vary as to place of birth; the Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation says Buckinghamshire[1], and Encyclopedia.com says High Wycombe, Bucks.[2] Using 2022 ABC source for now.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Williams, Robyn". Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation. Swinburne University of Technology. 25 May 2001. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Williams, Robyn 1944-". Encyclopedia.com. 30 January 1944. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Johnson, Natasha (29 May 2022). "Robyn Williams, host of ABC RN's The Science Show, on 50 years of broadcasting and the day Norman Swan saved his life". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  4. ^ "Prof Lovejoy lives", The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 September 1974: 14.
  5. ^ "Anyone can talk science", The Sydney Morning Herald, 28 October 1974: 11.
  6. ^ Molomby, Tom (1991). Is there a moderate on the roof? ABC Years. Port Melbourne: William Heinemann Australia. pp. 97–100.
  7. ^ a b c d e f "Mr Robyn Williams [H]: Officer of the Order of Australia". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia). Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "In conversation with Robyn Williams". ANU. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  9. ^ "Robyn Williams". Voiceless. Archived from the original on 28 February 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  10. ^ "Mr Robyn Williams [H]: Member of the Order of Australia". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia). Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Mr Robyn Williams: Centenary Medal". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia). Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  12. ^ "Past Winners & Finalists (Eureka Prizes)". Australian Museum.
  13. ^ "Robyn Williams". Celebrity Speakers.
  14. ^ "Robyn Williams, 2007—a true story, waiting to happen". Nautilus Institute. 19 December 2011.
  15. ^ Newby, Jonica (15 May 2016). "Catalyst - Exercise and Cancer - Transcript". ABC Website. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
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