James J. Butler Jr., Ph.D., is a senior scientist and chief of the Geohydrology Section of the Kansas Geological Survey at the University of Kansas. His major research focuses on high-resolution subsurface characterization, well responses to natural and anthropogenic stresses, and assessment of aquifers that support irrigated agriculture. During the last 20 years, he has led numerous projects focused on the use of direct-push technology for characterization of the hydraulic properties of unconsolidated sediments.
Well-known for his teaching and outreach activities throughout the groundwater industry, Butler served as the 2007 Groundwater Foundation’s Darcy Lecturer, was an associate editor of Groundwater® from 2002-2017, and has given 120-plus lecturers in more than 14 countries on applied hydrology. In 2020, Butler received NGWA’s M. King Hubbert Award, which is presented to those who have made major scientific or engineering contributions to the knowledge of groundwater through research, technical papers, teaching, and practical applications.
Butler received a B.S. in geology from William & Mary and a Ph.D. in hydrogeology from Stanford University.