Professor Les Dawes
Faculty of Engineering,
School of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Biography
Broad area of research: STEM and Engineering Education, Sustainable Development, Water Resources, Dr Dawes focuses on four main research areas:- STEM and Engineering Education
- Protection of Land and Water Resources
- Protecting and Restoring Water Quality
- Sustainable Development
- Increasing the participation rates of high school leavers in STEM and Engineering Education especially of women and non-traditional sources of students.
- Promoting the development and use of inquiry focused teaching techniques and tools and promote teaching effectiveness.
Protection of Land and Water Resources The main direction of Dr Dawes’ research has been towards developing a better understanding of natural systems, both land and water related. His research is application based and grounded in finding solutions to complex environmental problems. He is particularly interested in developing a better understanding of the interrelationships between the hydrologic and water quality characteristics of catchments, with particular emphasis on the way in which these complex interactions affect aquatic ecosystems. The main direction of Dr Dawes’ research is focused on enhanced protection of land and water resources and the informed use of a resource currently being wasted. The use of water is approaching, and in some cases exceeding, the limits of sustainability both in Australia and worldwide. As a result, wastewater is increasingly being recognised as a valuable resource (particularly for non-potable use); indeed both stormwater and wastewater recycling are focal points of water conservation programs. Dr Dawes’ research identifies issues and challenges in water recycling and developing options for reuse. An important key to sound urban water management is the integration of stormwater and recycled water as resources into the urban water system. His research areas include:
- Water quality and treatment
- Water conservation
- Options for Water recycling
- Groundwater Management
- Landfill hydrology
- Analytical methods for water quality evaluation
- Water pollution mechanisms
- Land use relationships
- Transforming mathematics and science pre-service secondary teacher education in Queensland
- The feasibility of using siphons to drain glacial lakes and provide electrical power to mountain communities in Bhutan
- Development of resources and supporting materials to facilitate the delivery of energy efficiency content in undergraduate engineering courses
- Modelling adsorption processes on soils associated with CSG water
- Predictive modelling of Surat Basin coal seam gas water quality and impacts on downstream treatment technologies.
- The effect of recycled water in cooling towers with respect to the diversity and activity of the bacterial population in the surrounding environment
- Difference between public perceptions and scientific fact, in relation to the domestic use of greywater
- Water quality profile of an urbanising catchment - Ningi Creek catchment
- Initial Field Testing of Emissions from Honda Outboard Motors
- Investigation into Issues and Implications of Using Recycled Water
- Improving the quality of science and engineering graduates from the 20 public universities in Thailand
- Development of an integrated risk-based approach to on-site sewage treatment system sitting, design and management
- Performance evaluation of on-site wastewater treatment
- Development of generic guidelines for the rehabilitation of sand mining areas
- Audit of septic tank performance for the development of management strategies
- 2014: Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence, Power of Engineering Team
- 2011: Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence
- 2010: ALTC, Australian Awards for University Teaching, Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
- 2009: Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning, Australasian Association of Engineering Education, Engineers Australia.
- 2008: National Business and Higher Education Round Table Award for Community Engagement
- 2008: Vice Chancellor’s Performance Fund Award for teaching excellence.
- 2007: Commendation for Contribution to Student Learning, BEE Faculty
- 2006: Best paper at the 18th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Educators held at Auckland University of Technology
- 2003: QUT Early Researcher Grant and recipient of University Collaborative Grant Scheme (Environmental Hydrology and Groundwater Resource Sustainability)
- 2003: University Outstanding Contribution Award for Secondary Schools and QUT Engineering Activity Kits (SQUEAK) in recognition of exceptional contributions to University mission and goals through outstanding achievement or innovation in service.
- 2020; Head of School Civil and Environmental Engineering, QUT
- 2017 to 2019: Professor, School of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, QUT
- 2014 to 2017: STEP UP Project Leader, QUT
- 2009 - 2014: Associate Professor, Civil Engineering and Built Environment, QUT
- 2007 - 2009: Senior Lecturer, School of Urban Development, QUT
- 2003 - 2007: Lecturer, School of Urban Development, QUT
- 1996 - 2003: Part-time Lecturer and Tutor, School of Civil Engineering, QUT
- 1990 - 1996: Laboratory Technician, School of Civil Engineering, QUT
- 1987 - 1990: Engineering Geologist, Boral Resources
- 1984 - 1987: Seismologist, Santos
Personal details
Positions
- Assistant Dean, Engagement with Indigenous Australians
Faculty of Engineering,
School of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Keywords
Engineering Education, Water Quality, Water Resource Management, Sustainable development
Research field
Environmental Engineering, Curriculum and Pedagogy, Environmental Science and Management
Field of Research code, Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC), 2008
Qualifications
- PhD (Queensland University of Technology)
- BAppSc(Geology) (Queensland Inst. of Technology)
Professional memberships and associations
- Society for Sustainability Engineering Society
- International Association of Hydrogeologists
- Past Editor of Australasian Journal of Engineering Education 2007 to 2018
- Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority State Panel for Engineering
- Australasian Association for Engineering Education Past President and Executive Member
Teaching
- Sustainable Development
- Environmental Engineering
- Water and Soil Pollution
- Hydrology
- Engineering Design
- Science Communication
Experience
External Collaboration: Within the broad field of environmental engineering research and STEM Education, Dr Dawes and his research team has strong collaborations with:
- Brisbane Airport Corporation
- Burnett Mary Regional Group
- Kiribati Government
- Qld TMR
- Carpentaria Shire Council
- James Cook University
- Griffith University
- University of Queensland
- The Austraian Government, Dept of Education and Training
- Geofabrics Australasia
Publications
- Jayarathna, C., Agdas, D. & Dawes, L. (2023). Exploring sustainable logistics practices toward a circular economy: A value creation perspective. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(1), 704–720. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/232525
- Nikagolla, C., Meredith, K., Dawes, L., Banati, R., Millar, G. & Rajapakse, J. (2020). Using water quality and isotope studies to inform research in chronic kidney disease of unknown aetiology endemic areas in Sri Lanka. Science of the Total Environment, 745. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/210507
- Caldera, S., Desha, C. & Dawes, L. (2019). Evaluating the enablers and barriers for successful implementation of sustainable business practice in 'lean' SMEs. Journal of Cleaner Production, 218, 575–590. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/125616
- Turner, R., Warne, M., Dawes, L., Thompson, K. & Will, G. (2019). Greywater irrigation as a source of organic micro-pollutants to shallow groundwater and nearby surface water. Science of the Total Environment, 669, 570–578. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/127548
- Caldera, S., Desha, C. & Dawes, L. (2018). Exploring the characteristics of sustainable business practice in small and medium-sized enterprises: Experiences from the Australian manufacturing industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 177, 338–349. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/223359
- Caldera, S., Desha, C. & Dawes, L. (2017). Exploring the role of lean thinking in sustainable business practice: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 167, 1546–1565. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/107709
- Turner, R., Warne, M., Dawes, L., Vardy, S. & Will, G. (2016). Irrigated greywater in an urban sub-division as a potential source of metals to soil, groundwater and surface water. Journal of Environmental Management, 183, 806–817. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/102145
- Reyes Cardenas, M., Ali, I., Lai, F., Dawes, L., Thier, R. & Rajapakse, J. (2016). Removal of micropollutants through a biological wastewater treatment plant in a subtropical climate, Queensland-Australia. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering, 14, 1–10. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/101386
- Lane, M., Dawes, L. & Grace, P. (2014). The essential parameters of a resource-based carrying capacity assessment model: An Australian case study. Ecological Modelling, 272, 220–231. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/65503
- Gunawardana, W., Goonetilleke, A., Egodawatta, P., Dawes, L. & Kokot, S. (2012). Source characterisation of road dust based on chemical and mineralogical composition. Chemosphere, 87(2), 163–170. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/49070
QUT ePrints
For more publications by Les, explore their research in QUT ePrints (our digital repository).
Awards
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2014
- Details
- Vice-Chancellors Award for Excellence for Teams, Partnerships and Engagement
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2011
- Details
- Vice-Chancellors Award for Excellence AcademicLearning and teaching, Partnerships and engagement, and Client Focus
- Type
- Appointment to Prestigious Positions
- Reference year
- 2011
- Details
- Elected President of the Engineers Australia Technical Society - Australasian Association of Engineering Education whose general mission is to improve the quality, relevance and performance of engineering education in Australasia.
- Type
- Editorial Role for an Academic Journal
- Reference year
- 2011
- Details
- Editor of Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AJEE)2006 to present
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2010
- Details
- Australian Awards for University TeachingCitation for Outstanding Contributions for Student Learning"For sustained commitment to innovative student-focused learning experiences and environments that engage students in real world learning."
- Type
- Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
- Reference year
- 2008
- Details
- Business and Higher Education Round Table (Australia¿s national forum for industry-university partnerships). A unique partnership between Queensland University of Technology, Port of Brisbane Corporation and Burnett Mary Regional Group has won a prestigious national award for the design and engineering project Sustainable Futures by Design: Integrated solutions to sustainable growth in coastal Queensland¿
Selected research projects
- Title
- Implementing Engineering Experiences In The Middle School
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- LP0989152
- Start year
- 2009
- Keywords
- engineering education; problem solving; mathematics curriculum; science curriculum; middle school
- Title
- Developmental engineering education in the primary school
- Primary fund type
- CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
- Project ID
- LP120200023
- Start year
- 2012
- Keywords
- Engineering Education; Mathematics Curriculum; Science Curriculum; Problem Solving; Primary School
Projects listed above are funded by Australian Competitive Grants. Projects funded from other sources are not listed due to confidentiality agreements.
Supervision
Current supervisions
- Performance Optimization for Precast Concrete Manufacturing
PhD, Principal Supervisor
Other supervisors: Adjunct Professor Duzgun Agdas, Dr David Warne - Learning Indigenous Knowledge to improve water security in remote Australia;;
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Lucy Reading - The influence of recovered carbon black (rCB), from scrap tyre thermal desorption process, on the performance of Hot Mix Asphalt
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Chaminda Gallage - Detailed investigation on the static liquefaction and critical state behaviour of mine tailing for tailing dam design
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Chaminda Gallage - Performance of flexible pavements on soft subgrades with multi-layer geogrid reinforcement
PhD, Associate Supervisor
Other supervisors: Associate Professor Chaminda Gallage
Completed supervisions (Doctorate)
- An integrated approach to characterising the groundwater balance and water stress at Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, Australia (2023)
- Career optimism of civil engineers in Australia (2023)
- Transforming logistics systems towards sustainability and circular economy (2023)
- Developing low cost water treatment solutions for rural, less advantaged communities (2022)
- Investigation of the Hydraulic Performance at the Geosynthetic Clay Liner Overlap (2021)
- Nutrient and Pesticide Dynamics Through the Vadose Zone in the Wet Tropics, Australia (2021)
- The Feasibility of Using Siphons to Drain Glacial Lakes to Provide Electrical Power to Remote Communities in Bhutan (2021)
- Investigation of Climatic-Induced Ground Responses in Expansive Soils (2020)
- Impact of Structural Development Projects on Vulnerability of Coastal Communities to Disaster (2019)
- Impacts of Structural Mitigation Measures on Perceptions of Community Flood Resilience: Experiences from Haor Communities of Bangladesh (2018)