Les Dawes

Professor Les Dawes is a distinguished academic in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He holds a PhD and BAppSc in Geology from QUT. His research spans STEM education, sustainable development, water resource management, and environmental engineering. Notably, he led the Step Up project ($12M grant) to enhance science/mathematics teacher training in Queensland. He also contributed to the Temaiku sustainable urban development project in Kiribati, focusing on culturally appropriate infrastructure. His awards include Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Awards (2014, 2011) for teamwork and academic engagement. Professor Dawes supervises numerous PhD projects, including studies on precast concrete optimization and Indigenous water equity. He collaborates with institutions like Brisbane Airport Corporation and the Kiribati Government. His work emphasizes real-world applications, integrating environmental sustainability with engineering practice.

Education: PhD (QUT), BAppSc(Geology) (Queensland Institute of Technology).

Research Interests: STEM pedagogy innovation, water quality protection, urban sustainability, and interdisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges. His publications address soil carbon analysis, sustainable logistics, and green infrastructure design.

Awards: Highlighted are his Vice-Chancellor’s recognitions for fostering collaboration and educational impact. His supervision spans topics like precast concrete efficiency and Indigenous community resilience.