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 - Bachelor of Science (BSc(Hons)), University of Western Australia
1957
Award - Gleddon Fellowship, University of Western Australia
1959
Education - Doctor of Philosophy (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, University of Notre Dame Australia
1995
Career position - Dean, College of Arts and Science, University of Notre Dame Australia
1995 - 2003
Career position - Chairman, Advanced Energy Systems
1996 - 2003
Career position - Dean, Research and Post-graduate Studies, 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, University of Notre Dame Australia

Related Corporate Bodies

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

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

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