P007239 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2023-06-29 human Thomas Spurling and Helen Cohn updated 2026-02-20 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P007239b.htm person Watts Donald Walter AM FTSE AACR2 1 April 1934 23 May 2023 Place of Birth Perth, Western Australia, Australia Place of Death Perth, Western Australia, Australia Inorganic chemist Physical chemist Vice-Chancellor 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. 1955 1955 Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc(Hons)), University of Western Australia 1957 1957 Award - Gleddon Fellowship, University of Western Australia 1959 1959 Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Western Australia 1959 1959 Award - CSIRO Post-doctoral Fellowship 1959 1961 Career position - Post doctoral Fellow, University College London 1961 1961 Award - DSIR Post-doctoral Fellowship 1962 1968 Career position - Senior Lecturer in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Western Australia 1966 1966 Award - Rennie Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1967 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, Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (FTS) 1986 1987 Career position - Vice Chancellor, Curtin University of Technology 1987 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 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 Sciences and Technology 1998 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 1 Jan 2001 1 Jan 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 Sciences and Technology 2004 Career position - Senior Policy Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor, University of Notre Dame Australia The University of Notre Dame Australia (1989 - )

Dean, College of Arts and Science 1995; Dean, Research and Post-graduate Studies 1996 - 2003; Senior Policy Adviser to the Vice-Chancellor 1994 -

 Curtin University (1987 - )

Director, Western Australian Institute of Technology 1980 - 1986; Vice-Chancellor 1986 - 1987

 The University of Western Australia (1911 - )

Professor in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry (Personal Chair) 1977 - 1979

 Rennie Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1931 - )

Awarded the Medal 1966

 Leighton Memorial Medal, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1965 - )

Awarded the Medal 1987

 Bond University (1989 - )

Vice-Chancellor 1987 - 1990

 Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1987 - )

Fellow 1987

 Australian Academy of Technological Sciences (1975 - 1987)

Fellow 1986 - 1987

 Australian Science and Technology Council (1977 - 1997)

Member 1984 - 1990

 'Watts, Donald Walter', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Watts, Donald Walter Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Journal Article: Twenty Five Years in the RACI Spurling, T.H. Twenty Five Years in the RACI Royal Australian Chemical Institute 1992 Chemistry in Australia 59 198-199 Conference Paper: The RACI Physical Chemistry Division: early days Orr, Brian The RACI Physical Chemistry Division: early days Unpublished 2017 RACI Centenary Congress, Melbourne 2017 8 Resource: Vale Don Watts, our foundation Vice Chancellor [media release] Vale Don Watts, our foundation Vice Chancellor [media release] Perth Bond University 2023 Journal Article: Vale Don Watts AM, a mover and shaker Bucat, R. B.; Chandler, G. S.; and Spurling, T. H. Vale Don Watts AM, a mover and shaker 2023 Chemistry in Australia June/August 27 Edited Book: Who's who in Australia 2019 Robson, Alexandra K.; Production Manager and Editor Who's who in Australia 2019 55th Southbank, Vic. AAP Directories 2018