B.Sc., University of Auckland 1965
M.Sc. (Honors), University of Auckland 1967
Membership in Professional Societies
Fellow of Royal Geographical Society
International Association of pteridologists
Papua New Guinea Botanical Society (Foundation member)
Tropical Rainforest Club (London)
Special Awards and Fellowships
Kew Medal, 2000
Visiting Fellowship, Singapore Botanic Gardens (2004-2006)
Studying the collections of C.E. Carr in Papua (1935-1936)
Career
1968 – 1969 Research Officer - Department of Biogeography and Ocomorphology, Australian National University. [Responsible for managing the Mt Wilhelm Field Station] at an altitude of 3350 m in Papua New Guinea.]
1969 – 1971 Ecologist, Division of Botany, Department of Forests. Lae, Papua New Guinea. [Research Anisoptera and Hopea Ecology].
1971 – 1973 Lecturer in Botany. P.N.G. Forestry College. Buloto, Papua New Guinea. [Subjects taught: Botany, Ecology, Taxonomy, Dendrology, Soils, Geomorphology, and Geology].
1974 – 1979 Senior Lecturer Botany - Ecology. P.N.G. Forestry College, Bulolo. Papua New Guinea. [Subjects taught - as above].
1979 – 1984 Senior Lecturer Botany - Ecology, Department of Forestry. P.N.G. University of Technology, Lae, Papua New Guinea.
1985 – 1990 Reader in Forest Botany, P.N.G. University of Technology, Lae, Papua New Guinea.
1987 – 1990 Professor and Head of Forestry Department. PNG University of Technology, Lae, Papua New Guinea.
1990 – 1993 Senior Scientific Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
1994 – 2004 Principal Scientific Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Presently: Research Associate, Head of New Guinea Program, Botanical Research Institute Texas, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.A.
Main Duties/Responsibilities while at Kew
Biodiversity Studies in Papua (Irian Jaya)
Studies on overburden reclamation on Mt Jaya
Taxonomic Studies for Flora Malesiana (Dipteridaceae, Aspieniaccae)
Pteridophytes for Brunei Darussalam
CONSULTANCY WORK
Johns, R. J. (1988). The Forests and Forest Vegetation along the proposed road from Lake Kutubu to S Coast in Gulf Province.
Johns, R. J. (1989). The Forests and Forest Resources along the proposed Magi Highway. Central and Milne Bay Province. Papua New Guinea.
Johns, R. J. (1989). A Check List of the Species of New Britain.
Arentz, F. Johns, R. Matcham, E. Simaga, J. (1989). The Vegetation of Central New Britain.
Johns, R. J. (1989). A Check List of the Species of Manus Province.
In addition to the above, extensive, notes were prepared for the World Bank report on Forestry in Papua New Guinea for their survey conducted in 1989. This included preparation of the paper providing the basis to identify areas for in which it is proposed to establish National Parks, Regional Parks and areas for World Heritage listing. Proposals were also prepared for preservation of these areas based on the hire of the resources from the traditional land owners. Areas were identified based on the flora and ecology of the Papuasian region.
