Ben is a Research Scientist leading the Process and Function, Soils and Landscapes group with CSIRO and is based in Canberra, Australia. Ben has considerable expertise in developing improved agricultural production systems through the measurement of nutrient and water fluxes within agricultural and natural ecosystems. His research focuses on the quantification of gaseous exchange between the land surface and the atmosphere and the key processes responsible for emissions from agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Ben led the Soil management in Pacific Islands project that had the objective to enhance the nitrogen use efficiency and nutrient cycling within root cropping systems of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories. The project enhanced soil knowledge and provided a reliable foundation for sustainable intensification of agricultural systems by growers, extension officers and policy makers. Furthermore, the establishment of a strong systems-view of the soil nutrient system enabled the most effective interventions to be identified, along with the likely impacts.