Frank Howarth

Frank Howarth - Director of the Australian Museum.

"He trained as a geologist, completing a Geology Degree at Macquarie University, and followed that with a Master of Science and Society from the University of NSW, focussing on science and biotechnology policy. Frank is a keen bushwalker and cyclist. He is an enthusiast for Australian native plants, an interest developed on his bush walks and from his geological background...

"He joined the State Government in 1981 under a special scheme to recruit and train policy analysts. He has held positions with the Department of Industrial Development and Decentralisation, NSW Science and Technology Council, Public Service Board, and the Roads and Traffic Authority. In 1996 he became Director and Chief Executive of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust. In September 2003 Frank spent 6 months as Executive Director Policy and Science at the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation, before taking up his current role in February 2004 as Director of the Australian Museum.

"The use of natural science and anthropological collections to inspire people about the natural world and its conservation attracted Frank to working with botanic gardens and museums.

"Frank has a special interest in environment and conservation policy, at state, national and international levels, and this has been a key part of his roles at the Botanic Gardens and the Department of Environment and Conservation. In February 2004 Frank attended the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biodiversity in Kuala Lumpur, as part of the Australian delegation, working particularly on the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, the Global Taxonomy Initiative and the Protected Areas provisions of the Convention. Frank is keen to ensure that the Australian Museum is influential in biodiversity conservation science and policy, particularly through international collaboration, and will continue to pursue this in his role as Director."