Profile picture for William Shilts

Contact Information

615 East Peabody Dr.
M/C 650
Champaign, IL 61820
(217) 333-5111
shilts@illinois.edu

Research Areas

Earth Surface Processes and Sedimentary Geology
Edit Your Profile
Institute Affiliate

Biography

William W. Shilts, Ph.D., a native of Hudson, Ohio, was the founding executive director of the Prairie Research Institute after leading the effort in 2008 to transfer the scientific surveys from state agencies to the University of Illinois. Notable accomplishments under his leadership include working with the Illinois Department of Transportation to bring the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS) into the Institute; leading efforts to pass legislation in 2013 recognizing ISAS and creating seven state scientist positions; and creating the PRI Lightning Symposium for staff to share their work with colleagues. 

From 1995 to 2008, Shilts was Chief of the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS). During that time, he made detailed, three-dimensional geologic mapping a priority and strengthened efforts to create an energy program.

Before becoming ISGS Chief, Shilts worked for 30 years as a research scientist for the Geological Survey of Canada, leading studies in the fields of exploration and environmental geochemistry, glacial sedimentology and stratigraphy, permafrost and patterned ground, atmospheric contaminants (mercury and acid rain) in lakes, and the impacts of historic and prehistoric earthquakes on lakes.

Shilts has been a proponent for providing clear explanations of science to the lay public and for the importance of utilizing earth science as an important component for assuring responsible economic development and environmental security in modern societies.

Browse Shilts's publications on ResearchGate.

Research Interests

  • Configuration, dynamics, and geological constraints of the North American continental ice sheet
  • Environmental geochemistry
  • Glacial sedimentology and stratigraphy
  • Neotectonic methods for detecting prehistoric seismic events, particularly in lakes
  • High Arctic glacier sedimentation
  • Sedimentation and genesis of eskers
  • Arctic and temperate limnology, especially geophysical methods of studying physical limnology, subbottom and sidescan acoustic profiles, and geochemical profiles of cores as indicators of the relative importance of anthropogenic and natural sources of elements
  • Stratigraphy and glacial sedimentation of the Hudson Bay Lowlands and Québec Appalachians
  • Drift mineralogy chemistry for correlation, drift genesis, and applied studies
  • Terrestrial and sublacustrine periglacial features, notably the patterned ground of Canadian Shield
  • Mineral prospecting in glaciated terrain

Education

1969-1970 
Postdoctoral fellowship, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

1970 
Ph.D., Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

1966 
Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana

1965 
M.S., Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

1963 
A.B., DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana

 

 

professional affiliations

Shilts is an adjunct professor at Illinois State University and the University of Quebec at Montreal. He has been a member of the U.S. National Committee of the International Geological Union and of the Board on Earth Sciences and Resources of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

Association Memberships

Committees

  • Spurlock Museum Advisory Board
  • Science Advisory Committee to the Illinois River Coordinating Council, 1999-present
  • AASG International Relations Committee (Chair), 1998-2007
  • Vice Chancellor for Research Survey/University of Illinois Strategic Planning Committee, 1997-2003
  • Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Coalition (founding member), 1997-present
  • Illinois Board of Licensing for Professional Geologists, 1996-2000
  • AASG Environmental Committee (Chair), 1996-2005
  • Central United States Earthquake Consortium (CUSEC) (Chair, 1997), 1995-2005
  • Illinois Basin Consortium, 1995-2005
  • International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA) Committee on Genesis and Lithology of Quaternary Sediments, 1975-present
  • AASG Congressional Liaison Committee, 1997-2001
  • Commission on Geological Sciences for Environmental Planning (COGEOENVIRONMENT) (Officer), 1999-2000
  • AASG STATEMAP Proposal Evaluation Committee, 1997-1999
  • Coal Advisory Committee to the State Geological Survey (Secretary), 1995-1999
  • Illinois Coal Development Board, 1996-1998
  • AQUAMIN Working Group to Assess the Aquatic Effects of Mining in Canada, 1994-1995
  • Aquatic Effects Technology Evaluation (AETE) Technical Committee to Assess Impacts of Mine Effluents on the Aquatic Environment, 1994-1995
  • Environment Canada/Mining Association of Canada Standing Committee, 1993-1995
  • Mining Industry Technology Council of Canada (MITEC), 1992-1995
  • Mine Environment Neutral Drainage Program (MEND)(Alternate Member), 1992-1995
  • Multi-Agency Group for Neotectonics in Eastern Canada, (MAGNEC) 1987-1995
  • Scientific Subcommittee of Geological Survey of Canada, Environmental Task Force (Chair), 1991
  • Research Monitoring and Co-ordinating Committee (RMCC) Acid Rain, 1984-1990
  • Bilateral Research Consultation Group (BRCG), 1980, U.S.-Canada Acid Rain, 1980 (Member and Report Collaborator)
  • Impact Assessment Group for Proposed Polargas Arctic Gas Pipeline, 1978
  • Permafrost Subcommittee of National Research Council of Canada (NRC), 1973-1978
  • Acid Rain Research at the Geological Survey of Canada (Coordinator), 1981-1987
  • Logan Club of Geological Survey of Canada (President), 1982-1983