Keith Smettem

Professor Keith Smettem's research interests over the last 20 years have been focused on the integration of soil physics, hydrology and plant water use in order to better understand how environmental systems respond to change (natural or anthropogenic). An internationally acknowledged researcher in his field of expertise, Professor Smettem has made significant research contributions to the management of natural resources in Australia. Over the past 10 years he has been the Chief Investigator on several nationally competitive grants (ARC, Grains R&D Corporation, Land and Water Australia, Rural Industries R&D Corporation) and has also been a sub-program leader in the CRC for Plant-Based Management of Dryland Salinity. He was also a Research Fellow in the CRC for Greenhouse Accounting and is a Research Fellow in the Forestry CRC. All these projects have been multi-agency activities designed to deliver significant benefits to the rural sector of Australia. Since 2000 grants from all sources have totalled over $4 million, with an even spread between nationally competitive grants, CRC funding and industry support. Outcomes from this research have been 33 refereed journal papers, a book, contributions to 5 books and 19 refereed conference proceedings in addition to numerous technical reports and conference abstracts. Over the past four years Professor Smettem has delivered invited talks to several international conferences and an additional five keynote addresses at leading international conferences. Professor Smettem's publications include more than 125 refereed publications and 70 non-refereed publications and technical reports. He has had 10 students complete PhD’s since 2000 and is currently supervising 7 PhD students and 5 Honours or Masters students.