Michael Leonard

Dr Michael Leonard

Associate Professor

School of Architecture and Civil Engineering

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


I have experience in many areas of water engineering: hydrologic modelling, hydraulic modelling, flooding, water security and multivariate extremes.

Research Interests

I am interested in application of numerical and statistical modelling to environmental engineering problems. Many applications require an understanding of the risk of hazardous impacts, for example flooding from complex man-made or natural systems. My background is in stochastic modelling of rainfall fields at subdaily timescales, and I am keen to develop methods for improved assessment of flood risk.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2024 - ongoing Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2019 - 2023 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2016 - 2018 Education Specialist University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2018 Scholarly Teaching Fellow University of Adelaide
    2007 - 2015 Research Associate / Lecturer University of Adelaide
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2015 Award GN Alexander Medal Engineers Australia Australia -
    2014 Award Research Spotlight Award from American Geophysical Union (top 5% of papers in AGU) for Westra et al (2014) American Geophysical Union United States -
    2009 Research Award Best presentation by a student or recent graduate Australian Mathematical Society Australia -
    2008 Research Award Best presentation by a student or recent graduate Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium Australia -
    2006 Research Award Postgraduate Research Award, AWA AWA Australia -
    2002 Research Award CAMWE prize for best honours Civil & Environmental project thesis University of Adelaide Australia -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2015 - 2017 University of Adelaide Australia Graduate Diploma in Education
    2003 - 2010 University of Adelaide Australia PhD in Civil Engineering (Hydrology)
    1999 - 2002 University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Engineering (Hons 1)
  • Research Interests

Competitive Research Funding

Date Project/No. Investigators Funding Body Amount
2015-2017 A unified approach for estimating coastal flood risk Westra, S. & Leonard, M. ARC Linkage AUD $156,905

Consultancies

Date Project Title Client Agency
2018-2021 Stochastic modelling of NSW regions NSW DPIE
2014

Joint Probability Analysis of Rainfall events and tidal levels at Fremantle

WA WaterCorp

2012

Brisbane River Dams Operations and Alternatives Study, Workshop 1

SEQ Water

2012

2-week, Geostatistics teaching intensive to Iraqi delegates

AusAID

2011

Expert Witness, Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry

Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry

2009

Step Change Analysis of Rainfall in Southern Australia

Dept. Water, Land & Biodiversity Conservation, SA Gov.

Teaching Activities 

Courses Developed

Date Course Title Institution Class Size Course Level/ Code URL

2007-2009;
2013-2018

Engineering Modelling & Analysis IA

University of Adelaide

200+

First Year

C&ENVENG 1012

2010-2016

Computing for Geostatistics

University of Adelaide

~10

Masters

C&ENVENG 7063

2019-ongoing

Resources and Energy in the Circular Economy

University of Adelaide

~30

First Year

CEME 1003

2019,2021

Programming (Matlab and Excel)

University of Adelaide

100+

First Year

ENG 1003

2020-2022

Transportation Engineering and Surveying

University of Adelaide

100+

Second Year

CEME 2005

2022 Design Practice (Hydraulic design) University of Adelaide 100 Fourth Year CEME 4050

Courses Taught

Date Course Title Institution Class Size Course Level/ Code URL
2022 Special Studies, Vietnam Tour University of Adelaide 30 Mixed cohort
2022 Introduction to Infrastructure (water module)  University of Adelaide 100 First Year CEME 1002
2021-2022 Introduction to Engineering University of Adelaide 400 First Year ENG 1001

2020

Introduction to Environmental Engineering

University of Adelaide

100

First Year

CEME 1001

2018

Water Engineering IIA

University of Adelaide

180

Second Year

C&ENVENG 2071

2015-2018

Final Year Research Project (Coordination)

University of Adelaide

~200

Fourth Year

C&ENVENG 4222

2014-2020

Engineering Management IV

University of Adelaide

200-250

Fourth Year

C&ENVENG 4034

2010-2019

Introduction to Geostatistics

University of Adelaide

50-100

Fourth Year / Masters

C&ENVENG 7043

2004, 2008

Water Engineering III B

University of Adelaide

100-150

Third Year

C&ENVENG 3079

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 Co-Supervisor Extending the virtual hydrological framework for stochastic rainfall model evaluation. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Truong Huy Thien Nguyen
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2018 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Multivariate Modelling of Geological and Geometallurgical Variables Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Emmanuel Addo Junior
    2016 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Quantifying Intermittent Streamflow with Low-cost Sensors and Fully Integrated Hydrological Modelling of Upstream Runoff Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Alicja Natalia Makarewicz
    2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Flood Hazard Characteristics at the Global Scale: An Observation-based Perspective Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Hong Do
    2014 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Stochastic Spatial Rainfall Modelling for Hydrological Design: Development of a Parsimonious Simulation Approach and Virtual Hydrological Evaluation Framework Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time APrf Bree Sarah Bennett
    2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor A new flood estimation paradigm for the design of civil infrastructure systems Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Phuong Dong Le
  • Other Supervision Activities

    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Monitoring and Analysis of a Wetland for Environmental Flows University of Adelaide BE(Civil) Honours Full Time Mitchell Odegaard, Somil Boora, Toby Costi, Patrick Doddridge
    2023 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Use of alternative water sources University of Adelaide - Doctorate Full Time Caleb Gray
    2022 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Comparison of continuous simulation and event based modelling for flood design The University of Adelaide - Master - Hang Zheng, Ruikun Xiam Zehao Zhang
    2022 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Multi-objective optimisation of transportation networks The University of Adelaide - Honours - Zihao Xu, Wenhao Xiao
    2022 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Evaluation of historical and naturalised floods on the Murray River The University of Adelaide - Honours - Zhixin Barnett, Yimeng Zhuo, Hong Tang
    2021 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Water balance modelling for riverland wetland operations University of Adelaide - Master - Xiaoyi Ma, Ummi Ahmat
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)To Infer Water Availability and Behaviour on Mars University of Adelaide - Honours - Yufan Liu, Yiding You, Dongbo Wei
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Using microsimulation to determine flood evacuation outcomes for the 2021 Sydney flood University of Adelaide - Honours - Phong Tran, Myo Zaw Aung
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Using microsimulation to assess traffic impacts on the Belair-Blackwood road corridor University of Adelaide - Honours - Andrew Iuliano, Bang Ao Qin
    2021 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Determining the impact of sensor layout on the locatability of pipe bursts University of Adelaide - Honours - Junlin Liu, Shixiao Sun
    2020 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Improving techniques to estimate design floods in ungauged catchments Australia-wide University of Adelaide - Honours - Piotr Grodecki, Jeruben Jude, Titus John, Matthew Dutton
    2019 - 2019 Co-Supervisor : Improving hydrological predictions through robust numerical models University of Adelaide - Master - Joe Mario Jacob, Xiang Lyu, Xiuling Su
    2019 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Improving hydrological models rainfall-runoff predictions in Australian semi-arid catchments University of Adelaide - Honours - Ty Edwards, Congyun Huang, Yin Mo Marco Lau, Saeed Safavi Arjmand
    2019 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Evaluating minor losses in networks University of Adelaide - Honours - Siyuan Ding, Jiahua Huo, Priya Saravanah, Huiyu Xu
    2018 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Evaluation of the Aqualibrium network with estimation of minor losses University of Adelaide - Honours - Wenfeng Liu
    2018 - ongoing Principal Supervisor Using digital imagery and cheap sensors to estimate water levels University of Adelaide - Master - Duy Vuu, Aidian Lin, Yingwen Xu
    2018 - ongoing Co-Supervisor Exploiting spatial correlation in the estimation of conceptual hydrological models University of Adelaide - Honours - Samuel Hack, Paul Hawkins, Lachlan Cotton, Ben Mullin
    2017 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Investigating numerical artefacts of differential solvers for hydrological models University of Adelaide - Honours - Athena Jiang
    2017 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Estimating the intermittency of flow in semi-arid catchments using cheap sensors University of Adelaide - Honours - Marco du Bruyn, Matthew Bell, Renae Hawke, Daniel Woods
    2017 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Assessing the performance of conceptual models at multiple sites within a region and for contrasting time periods University of Adelaide - Master - Hao Yuan, Thi Hai Duong Ninh, Yunjie Li
    2017 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Optimal placement of sensors for calibration of unknown pipe network parameters University of Adelaide - Honours - Jason Hunter
    2016 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Groundwater and surface-water modelling in semi-arid regions University of Adelaide - Honours - Xinyi Mao, Yufeng Zhou, Yayao Wang
    2016 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Joint probability in estuarine regions: uncertainty and climate change estimation University of Adelaide - Honours - Dominic McDevitt, Samuel Sexton, Ciaran Hoare, Stefan O'Toole
    2016 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Quantifying the residual capacity of reinforced concrete members with corroded reinforcement University of Adelaide - Honours - Athan Varvaris, Scott Parkinson, Domenico Zerella, Nestor Sequera
    2015 - 2017 Co-Supervisor A unified approach for estimating coastal flood risk University of Adelaide - Postdoctorate - Wu W
    2015 - 2015 Co-Supervisor The performance of infiltration equations using rain-on-grid flood methodology University of Adelaide - Honours - Dylan Bone, Jordan Franks, Henry Moore, Rory Owen
    2015 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Estimating low flows in semi-arid regions University of Adelaide - Honours - Timothy Rowland, Declan Warda, Andrew Clarkson, Hayley Whitington
    2015 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Salinity modelling of Lake Hawdon Catchment using MIKE-SHE University of Adelaide - Honours - Alicja Makarewicz, Christian Bell, Liupengfei Wu, Zhihao Jiang
    2014 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Economic impact assessment of flooding under a future climate University of Adelaide - Honours - Matthew Matricciani, Gianni Marchetti, Nicholas Boniciolli, Martin Pappas
    2013 - 2013 Principal Supervisor Joint Probability Flood Modelling of Brisbane City University of Adelaide - Master - Zhu Jin
    2013 - 2013 Co-Supervisor Implications of Global Rainfall Inequality University of Adelaide - Honours - Rajah, K., O'Leary, T., Turner, A., Petrakis
    2013 - 2013 Principal Supervisor Determining Correlated Tributary Flows Using a Distributed Model University of Adelaide - Master - Hien Tran
    2012 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Comparison of Point and Spatial Rainfall Input Using Distributed Models University of Adelaide - Master - Siyuan Chang
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2023 - 2024 Chair National Commitee on Water Engineering Engineers Australia Australia
    2019 - ongoing Chair Hydrological Society South Australia Hydrological Society South Australia Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member Hydrological Society South Australia - Australia
    2016 - ongoing Member National Committee of Water Engineering Engineers Australia Australia
  • Memberships

    Date Role Membership Country
    2013 - ongoing Member Engineers Australia Australia
    2003 - ongoing Member Hydrological Society of South Australia Australia
  • Community Engagement

    Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
    2020 - 2020 Open Day Talk Public Community Engagement University of Adelaide Australia
    2020 - 2020 STEM Academy - Environmental Engineering Public Community Engagement University of Adelaied -
    2019 - 2019 Open Day Talk Public Community Engagement University of Adelaide Australia
    2019 - 2019 SAASTA Stem Academy Scientific Community Engagement SAASTA, Univerity of Adelaide Australia
    2019 - 2019 Ingenuity SACE Research Project Scientific Community Engagement University of Adelaide Australia
    2018 - 2018 Young Women in Technology - Highschool outreach seminar Public Community Engagement University of Adelaide Australia
    2018 - 2018 Tertiary Studies & Careers Expo Adelaide - Aqualibrium Activity Public Community Engagement University of Adelaide -
    2017 - 2017 Open Day Talk Public Community Engagement University of Adelaide Australia
    2017 - 2020 Oliphant Science Awards Scientific Community Engagement SASTA Australia
    2016 - 2016 Open Day Talk Public Community Engagement University of Adelaide -
    2016 - 2016 ECMS highschool outreach talks Public Community Engagement University of Adelaide Australia
  • Editorial Boards

    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2016 - ongoing Associate Editor Australian Journal of Water Resources Engineering Australia Australia
  • Expert Witness

    Date Case Institution Country
    2012 - 2012 Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry University of Adelaide Australia
  • Presentation

    Date Topic Presented at Institution Country
    2018 - 2018 Impact of Climate Change on Australian Flood Risk: A Review of Recent Evidence University of Adelaide, Charles Hawker Hydrological Society SA Australia
    2018 - 2018 Management Systems for Water Stress, to delegates from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Stamford Plaza Adelaide Icewarm Australia
    2018 - 2018 Interview - Cape Town's Disaster Drought Radio Adelaide Interview University of Adelaide Australia
    2017 - 2017 Invited talk - A typology of compound events WCRP Workshop ETH Zurich Switzerland
    2016 - 2016 Proposal pitch - A typology of compound events Ozewex Symposium Ozewex Australia
    2016 - 2016 Overview of Australian Rainfall and Runoff 2016 Inkgarni Wardli Hydrological Society SA Australia
    2014 - 2014 Workshop - Interaction of Coastal Processes and Severe Weather Events Practical Responses to Climate Change Confererence Australian Rainfall & Runoff, Engineers Australia Australia
    2014 - 2014 Workshop - Joint Probability Modelling in Estuarine Regions Hydrology & Water Resources Symposium Australian Rainfall & Runoff Australia
  • Position: Associate Professor
  • Phone: 83134319
  • Email: michael.leonard@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83134359
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Engineering North, floor 2
  • Org Unit: Environmental Engineering

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