John Gunn is Chief Executive of the Australian Institute of Marine Science (aims.gov.au) – Australia’s tropical marine science agency. He has previously been Chief Scientist of the Australian Antarctic Program and Deputy Chief (Research) of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Division of Marine and Atmospheric Research.
He has lead national research programs in marine, climate and fisheries research, from polar to tropical regions, and contributed to a number of international collaborations, most recently as Co-Chair of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s Global Ocean Observing System.
Over the last 15 years he has also contributed to the development of national and international strategies for building marine science capability, incorporating the integration of skills, infrastructure and collaborative partnerships (e.g.  Australia’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy;  Integrated Marine Observing System).