Programs and Funding

In terms of scientific leadership, building human capacity and promoting national debate to confront tough issues — we need bold and innovative ideas, we need to experiment rigorously with new approaches, we need energetic and talented people to be attracted to work on water issues, and we need people capable of leading public debate, occasionally saying things that government and industry leaders can’t say, or may find uncomfortable or inconvenient. That said, we don’t need advocacy for the sake of advocacy. Any public engagement associated with the Peter Cullen legacy would need to be independent of any particular interest, constructive, solutions-oriented and grounded in good science.

Peter Cullen is remembered for his superb capacity to synthesize and communicate complex ideas simply and clearly to local communities, policy makers and politicians in a way that supported them to make decisions and take action.

Peter was always keen to see projects happen that made a real difference on the ground, and that provided sound evidence of the gains that could be made with good science informing better water management.