Michael Knight

Summary:Michael J. Knight BSc, 1967, PhD (Melbourne 1972) worked for the Government as a hydrogeologist and related fields in Papua New Guinea 1971-1974). This involved village water supplies, a hydroelectric scheme construction and agricultural development. In 1974 he was appointed as Lecturer in Engineering Geology at University of NSW. Currently he is Emeritus Professor in Hydrogeology at the University of Technology (UTS). He retired from UTS in 2004 where he was Professor and Director of the self–funded National Centre for Groundwater Management. This followed on from its predecessor at University of NSW(UNSW) (1987-1991). This was won competitively under his leadership through Federal Government’s Australian Water Advisory Council bid process. He was subsequently appointed its Director. For more than 17 years he played a leading role in hydrogeology teaching, research and consultancy to Industry and Government. He was the first to develop Post Graduate Degree and Diploma programs in Hydrogeology in Australia both on campus (UNSW) initially and later by distance (UTS). By 2007 there had been 170 post graduate graduations in hydrogeology facilitated by the Centres at both Universities. He supervised 84 postgraduate student research projects, published 120 research based articles, a number of books and provided Industry with 188 Consultancy reports including some arising from several international High Court cases in New Zealand. Over his career he received 16 academic and professional awards. Michael’s service to the Hydrogeology Profession included being President of the Australian International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) Group (1991-1995) and the first and only Australian to be elected World President of the IAH (1996-2000). During the Presidency he lead the Association to incorporate as a Limited Liability Company and Registered Charity in the United Kingdom. He also facilitated the improvement in its governance that included changing the Association’s Constitution to establish for the first time Regional Vice Presidents across the world. This has given greater and more globally democratic representation on the Governing Council. He was made a Life Member of the world body IAH (2005) and in 2010 was presented with the Woolley Award by IAH (NSW) for a lifetime of achievement in Hydrogeology. Service to the Australian Commonwealth Government included: invited membership of the Urban Water Lifestyles Partnership Committee of the Australia