Person
Watts, Donald Walter (1934 - 2023)
AM FTSE
- Born
- 1 April 1934
Perth, Western Australia, Australia - Died
- 23 May 2023
Perth, Western Australia, Australia - Occupation
- Inorganic chemist, Physical chemist and Vice-Chancellor
Summary
Don Watts was a physical and inorganic chemist who made significant contributions to understanding the kinetics of co-ordination compounds in hydroxylic and dipolar aprotic solvents. This research was recognised with the Rennie and Leighton Memorial Medals, awarded by the Royal Australian Chemical Institute. Watts had a long career at senior levels in Australian universities. Joining the University of Western Australia in 1962, he held a personal chair in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry between 1977 and 1979. The following year he became Director of the Western Australian Institute of Technology and led the Institute to become Curtin University of Technology in 1986. Other senior university positions included inaugural Vice Chancellor of Bond University and Senior Policy Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Notre Dame Australia. For several years from 1990 Watts worked for a number of Northern Territory Government organisations including the Centre for Aboriginal and Islander Studies, Northern Territory and the Faculty of Science Planning Committee of the Northern Territory University. He was a member of the Australian Science and Technology Council from 1984 to 1990 during which time that council instigated significant reforms to the national innovation system.
Details
Chronology
- 1955
- Education - BSc (hons), University of Western Australia
- 1957
- Award - Gleddon Fellowship, University of Western Australia
- 1959
- Education - PhD, University of Western Australia
- 1959
- Award - CSIRO Post-doctoral Fellowship
- 1959 - 1961
- Career position - Post doctoral Fellow, University College London
- 1961
- Award - DSIR Post-doctoral Fellowship
- 1962 - 1968
- Career position - Senior Lecturer in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Western Australia
- 1966
- Award - Rennie Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute
- 1967
- Award - Fulbright Scholarship
- 1969 - 1970
- Career position - Reader in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Western Australia
- 1971 - 1976
- Career position - Associate Professor in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Western Australia
- 1977 - 1979
- Career position - Professor in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry (Personal Chair), University of Western Australia
- 1980 - 1986
- Career position - Professor in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry (Personal Chair), University of Western Australia
- 1984 - 1990
- Career position - Member, Australian Science and Technology Council
- 1986 - 1987
- Award - Fellow, Australioan Academy of Technological Science
- 1986 - 1987
- Career position - Vice Chancellor, Curtin University of Technology
- 1987
- Award - Leighton Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute
- 1987 - 1990
- Career position - Vice Chancellor, Bond University
- 1990 - 1991
- Career position - CEO, Trade Development Zone, Northern Territory
- 1991 - 1994
- Career position - Member, Faculty of Science Planning Committee, Northern Territory University
- 1992 - 1993
- Career position - Chairman, Northern Territory Employment and Training Authority
- 1992 - 1994
- Career position - Executive Chairman, Trade Development Zone Authority, Northern Territory
- 1992 - 1994
- Career position - Member, Board of Management, Centre for Aboriginal and Islander Studies, Northern Territory
- 1993 - 1996
- Career position - Chairman, Australian Space Council
- 1995 - ?
- Career position - Professor of Science and Education, The University of Notre Dame Australia
- 1995
- Career position - Dean, College of Arts and Science, The University of Notre Dame Australia
- 1995 - 2003
- Career position - Chairman, Advanced Energy Systems
- 1996 - 2003
- Career position - Dean, Research and Post-graduate Studies, The University of Notre Dame Australia
- 1997 - 2000
- Career position - Member of Council, Australian Academy of Technological Science and Technology
- 1998
- Award - Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to the advancement of science in the field of chemistry, to tertiary education, and to policy development in education
- 2001
- Award - Centenary Medal for service to tertiary education
- 2001 - 2003
- Career position - Chairman, Technological Training Institute Pty Ltd
- 2002 - 2007
- Career position - Member of Council, Australian Academy of Technological Science and Technology
- 2004 - ?
- Career position - Senior Policy Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor, The University of Notre Dame Australia
Related entries
Published resources
Journal Articles
- Bucat, R. B.; Chandler, G. S.; and Spurling, T. H., 'Vale Don Watts AM, a mover and shaker', Chemistry in Australia (2023), 27. Details
Resources
- Vale Don Watts, our foundation Vice Chancellor [media release], Bond University, Perth, 2023. https://bond.edu.au/news/vale-don-watts-our-foundation-vice-chancellor. Details
See also
- Robson, Alexandra K.; Production Manager and Editor eds, Who's who in Australia 2019 (Southbank, Vic.: AAP Directories, 2018), 1788 pp. Details
Thomas Spurling and Helen Cohn
Created: 29 June 2023