A.E. (Willy) Williams-Jones is a professor in economic geology and geochemistry at McGill University, Canada, who received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. at Natal University, South Africa and a Ph.D at Queen’s University, Canada. His research combines field with experimental/theoretical studies and focuses on magmatic and magmatic-hydrothermal ore-forming systems. He and his group have made major contributions to our understanding of the genesis of base and precious metal deposits and, more recently, critical metal deposits (the REE including scandium, lithium, cobalt and niobium). These contributions have appeared in over 300 refereed journal articles and have been recognized by national and international awards, including fellowship in the Royal Society of Canada, the Bancroft and Miller Medals of the Royal Society of Canada, the Logan and Derry Medals of the Geological Association of Canada, the Peacock Medal of the Mineralogical Association of Canada and the Penrose Gold Medal of the Society of Economic Geologists.