John Gunn

Over a 40-year career as an applied scientist, organisational leader and most recently in Governance positions, John has been committed to ensuring the best scientific advice is available, communicated, trusted, and used to tackle ocean sustainable development challenges...at local, national and international scales.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (2011-2017); Chief Scientist of the Australian Antarctic Program/ Senior Executive in the Australian Government (2008-2011); and Deputy Chief of CSIRO’s Marine and Atmospheric Research Division (2003-2008) John lead development of national and global science strategies, major research programs, science capability (people, research infrastructure and partnerships), and stakeholder engagement across research portfolios encompassing coral reef systems, aquaculture, marine ecology, fisheries, coastal systems, physical and chemical oceanography, atmospheric chemistry and climate science.

He is currently Chair of the National Marine Science Committee and the Boards of the Marine Bioproducts CRC and Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS). And spends his spare time fishing, diving, sea kayaking and bushwalking!