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

Early life and education

Williams was born on 30 January 1944 Using 2022 ABC source for now. His father, Gwyn, a Welshman, has been variously reported as a union executive and journalist, His mother, Ray (nee Davis), had a Ukrainian background. She was Jewish, from London's East End, and worked as a translator. Investigations (2-hour format) from 6 November 1974. In 1975 he began hosting The Science Show, a one-hour science-based radio interview show. At one time it was the most popular radio show on Radio 2 (Radio National's former name), and it is one of the longest-running radio shows in Australia and the world.

Other roles

  • Adjunct professor at the University of Queensland

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"
  • 2001: Centenary Medal, 1 January, "For outstanding service in science communication"
  • 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"
  • 2025: Australian Skeptics awarded Williams The Thornett Award for the Promotion of Reason.

Academic honours

Williams has honorary doctorates from seven universities:

  • Deakin University (science,

Other recognition

  • Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science,
  • Centre for Australian Cultural Studies National Award 1996 (Individual)

Publications

As well as many articles and introductions to books,

  • This Is the Science Show (1995, nonfiction) about "the future of just about everything"
  • 2007 (published 2001) is a dystopian novel describing a rebellion of animals.
  • Turmoil: Letters from the Brink (2018, nonfiction)

Personal life

Williams met Pamela Traylor when in Australia for the first time, and they married on 10 June 1966 before both moving back to the UK, where he studied science. They had two children.

Footnotes

References

  • Robyn Williams, Full Biography
  • ABC Science Unit
  • Encyclopedia of Australian Science