Barton is a civil engineer with over 26 years of experience in the water industry focused mainly on the design, construction, and operation of dams. He has been involved with the delivery of over 26 major dam projects ranging from $5M to the $395M Hinze Dam Stage 3 project. Since 2011 he has worked in the Seqwater Flood Operations Team being appointed as a Senior Flood Operations Engineer in 2013. His current role as the Assistant Chief Engineer for the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water includes the review and assessment of water projects across the State of Queensland.

Rob Ettema is a Professor at Colorado State University’s College of Engineering. Prior to this position he was Dean at the University of Wyoming’ College of Engineering, and Professor at the University of Iowa. His research involves hydraulic engineering, including in cold regions, where water’s phase diagram must be considered. His experience includes consulting on various topics in water-resource engineering and climate, including water-supply, hydropower, water-related aspects of thermal powerplants and rivers generally. Besides engineering practice, research and education, his professional interests include the history of civil engineering. His PhD is from the University of Auckland, New Zealand in 1980.

Dr Sophia Leng researches in physical and numerical (CFD) modelling of unsteady turbulent flows, e.g. breaking waves, bores and positive surges, field investigations of tidal bores, and hydraulic design of fish-friendly culverts. Graduated in 2018 with a PhD in Civil Engineering (University of Queensland), she has authored and co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications, including 36 international journal papers. Dr Leng is the recipient of the 2018 Institution of Civil Engineers (UK) Baker Medal, 2019 IdEx Post-doctoral Fellowship awarded by Université de Bordeaux (France) and is currently working at WSP as a water resource engineer. She was an invited speaker at 2020 AFMC (Australasian Fluid Mechanics Conference).

Bryson is an Adjunct Professor at the Universities of Western Australia and Adelaide, and a CSIRO Honorary Fellow. Prior to retirement he was a Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere. He is a co-recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, C H Munro Orator (2014), winner of the University of Newcastle’s Alumni award for international leadership (2017), and co-recipient of Engineers Australia President’s Prize for the Australian Rainfall and Runoff guidelines (2019). His research interests range from engineering hydrology to statistical climatology and meteorology.