Biography

Kuczera is recognised as a world authority on the theory and application of Bayesian statistical methods in hydrology and water resources. His research addresses the fundamental problem in application of hydrology to water engineering, namely limited predictive ability arising from large errors in data and model errors arising from limited understanding of dynamics and complexity. His work has focussed on developing methods that make the best use of limited information and quantifying uncertainty to inform the decision making process. In recent years his work has led to the development of BATEA, Bayesian total error analysis, which represents a breakthrough in hydrologic modelling by providing a comprehensive treatment of all major sources of uuncertainty affecting hydrologic prediction. He also has made significant contributions in the area of water resources systems analysis.

His early industry experience and subsequent close association have influenced his research program. A feature of his work has been a commitment to develop his work to the point at which it can be taken up by the higher end of the industry. Achievements of significant practical value include:

• In water supply and drought security planning, Kuczera exploited the theory of network linear programming to develop a generalized simulation model of water supply systems. This work has resulted in two software systems, REALM and WATHNET, which are used widely in Australia by water agencies. His work on integrated urban water management seeks to maximize community benefits by integrating water supply, stormwater and wastewater at small to large scales.
• Kuczera and his team have developed a stochastic rainfall modelling framework to assist flood risk design. It can produce 6-minute rainfall time series of arbitrary length at virtually any location with a daily rainfall record. The developed software DRIP has been released for industry use.
• The publication, Australian Rainfall and Runoff, is the industry standard for flood estimation. In view of his fundamental contributions in the area of flood frequency analysis, Kuczera undertook a major revision of the flood frequency guidelines and produced supporting software.

Qualifications

• PhD, Harvard University, 1984
• Bachelor of Engineering, University of Melbourne
• Master of Engineering Science, University of Melbourne

Research

Research keywords

• Bayesian
• Civil Engineering

Research expertise

Hydrologic Models: Identification, Calibration and Prediction

• Use of Bayesian statistical methods to describe parameter uncertainty and to characterise different sources of error.
• Understanding and quantifying the predictive accuracy of hydrologic models.

Water Supply Management

• Multi-criteria optimization of water resource system infrastructure and operation
• Simulation of urban water cycle at different time and space scales.
• Drought security analysis

Flood and Drought Risk Assessment

• Flood frequency analysis
• Stochastic rainfall modelling (point and space-time models)
• Stochastic streamflow modelling especially using hidden Markov approaches.

Fields of Research

Memberships

Body relevant to professional practice.

• Member - National committee on water engineering, institution of Engineers Australia

Editorial Board.

• Journal of Hydrology since 2000
• Nordic hydrology, since 2005

Appointments

Awards

Distinction.

Recognition.

Invitations

Administrative

Administrative expertise

1) Head of discipline of civil, surveying and environmental engineering

2) Program convenor (civil engineering, environmental engineering)

3) Various ad hoc University admin responsibilities including selection, promotion review, research committees

Teaching

Teaching expertise

Have developed and taught courses in:

1) Hydrology

2) Probability and statistics

3) Water engineering: theory and practice

Have taught:

1) Computer programming