Craig Simmons

Professor of Hydrogeology, Flinders University

Director, National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training

One of Australia’s foremost groundwater academics, Professor Craig Simmons has been a significant contributor to global advances in the science of hydrogeology for many years. He is Professor of Hydrogeology at Flinders University, and a leading international authority in hydrogeology. In particular, he is a recognised expert in variable-density groundwater flow phenomena, research that has taken him to leading groundwater institutions around the world.

He has a particular interest in groundwater systems where fluid density and groundwater flow are strongly affected by concentrations of solute, such as in salt lakes or highly saline coastal environments, or by temperature, such as the deep hot geothermal fluids found in the Gulf of Mexico.

During his highly successful career Professor Simmons has been a chief investigator on various large national and international projects and has published more than 180 scientific articles. Among his many scientific contributions, Professor Simmons has significantly advanced our understanding of the ability and limitations of numerical computer models to solve variable density flow problems, applied theoretical developments in variable density flow to many practical groundwater problems, was involved in the pioneering team which  first detected free convection phenomena in a field based groundwater system, has developed innovative laboratory equipment for the visualisation of dense plume migration, and has contributed major theoretical advances on how geologic heterogeneity controls dense plume migration.

Professor Simmons has also conducted internationally recognised research in the fields of surface water - groundwater interaction, fractured rock hydrogeology, aquifer storage and recovery, and groundwater flow and solute transport modelling.

In 2006 Professor Simmons joined six other pre-eminent hydrogeologists to write a position paper on the state of groundwater research, training and management, which has been a catalyst for major groundwater reform in Australia. He is a member of the National Water Commission's Groundwater Technical Advisory Committee, which advises on high-level groundwater direction setting and investment strategies in Australia.

Professor Simmons’ research and academic excellence have been recognised by a number of awards including the BankSA Travel Award, The Miss Amy Forwood Travel Award and the Young Tall Poppy Science Award for outstanding contributions to science. In 2005 Professor Simmons was formally acknowledged by SA Great and the South Australian Government as one of the Top 50 Inspirational Young South Australians who make a positive impact in our community.

In 2002, Professor Simmons’ recognised ability as an outstanding communicator of science was publicly and nationally acknowledged when he won the prestigious national Australian Award for University Teaching, the highest form of recognition for teaching excellence in Australia. In 2002, Professor Simmons was named the Distinguished Oliver Lecturer by the University of Texas at Austin in recognition of his distinguished contribution to international hydrologic research. In 2007, he received the American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2007 Editors’ Citation for Excellence in Refereeing for Water Resources Research.

Professor Simmons has served as an Editor and Associate Editor for numerous major international journals. He currently serves as an Associate Editor on the Editorial Boards of prestigious international scientific journals including Journal of Hydrology and Ground Water and has also served previously as an Associate Editor for Hydrogeology Journal, Ground Water and Water Resources Research. Upon invitation in 2005 by the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH), Professor Simmons served a three year term as Managing Editor of their official international scientific journal, Hydrogeology Journal, a high-profiled and influential role requiring scientific vision and distinguished leadership.

Chief Investigator and Leader Program 2. Email Craig Simmons.