World-leading groundwater scientist, Flinders University professor Craig Simmons (pictured), has been named a finalist in the prestigious Australian Museum Eureka Prizes.

Professor Simmons, Director of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training (NCGRT), headquartered at Flinders University, and Inaugural Schultz Chair in the Environment, is one of three finalists in the CSIRO Eureka Prize for Leadership in Science, awarded to an Australian individual who has demonstrated an outstanding role and impact on science.

Presented annually by the Australian Museum, the Eureka Prizes are the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across the four categories of Research and Innovation, Leadership and Commercialisation, Science Communication and Journalism, and School Science.

Professor Simmons has been nominated for his instrumental role in positioning Australia at the forefront of groundwater science and policy through his contributions to groundwater research, important leadership as founding director of the NCGRT and for the development of Australia’s National Groundwater Strategic Plan – a strategic vision for Australian groundwater science, management and policy for the next 10 years.

He has also been recognised for his major leadership roles with the Australian Government’s Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development which provides scientific advice to decision-makers and government on the impact that coal seam gas and large coal mining may have on Australia’s water resources; his role on expert advisory committees advising the Australian Government on the implementation of the Murray Darling Basin Plan; and for promoting leading practice through the development of the Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines.

Professor Simmons said he felt “honoured” to be named alongside Australia’s top scientists.

“The Eureka Prizes are prestigious science awards and I feel very honoured and humbled to be acknowledged in this way,” Professor Simmons said.

Winners will be announced in the presence of 700 science, government, culture and media leaders at Sydney Town Hall on September 4, in what is the biggest national celebration of Australian science.