Dr Michael Waters

BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD, MRICS

Role
Director of Studies Real Estate
Section
School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society
Email
Phone
00971 4 4358773
Michael Waters

About

Dr. Michael Waters is Associate Professor in Real Estate based at the Dubai Campus. He launched the region’s first postgraduate taught MSc in Real Estate in 2009. He has been working in real estate academia for over 20 years with several top UK universities. Prior to this, he worked in private practice in London building a portfolio of strategic property advice for major UK housebuilders. He teaches across a range of subject specialisations including:

  • Real Estate Economics
  • Real Estate Valuations
  • Real Estate Development
  • Real Estate Management & Sustainability
Biography
  • PhD in Urban Studies (Real Estate),
  • PGCert Academic Practice (FHEA)
  • MSc Real Estate
  • BSc (Hons) Geography
  • Chartered Surveyor (MRICS)

Academic Leadership and Affiliations:

  • Postgraduate Programme Lead in Real Estate
  • Programme Lead for the Real Estate Executive
  • Programme in Dubai Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS)
  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Research

Michael completed his PhD research with Heriot Watt University covering an evaluation of property valuation in Dubai. His research focused on (1) valuation heuristics, exploring how valuers' cognitive development affects valuation problem solving (2) behavioural psychology in real estate, investigating the factors that influence real estate decision-making; (3) operation of property markets, especially exploring the market efficiency and data transparency.

His research explored a wide range of sustainability topics including energy efficiency impact on property pricing; EPC ratings impact on residential house prices and the principles of sustainable property investing and valuations.

Publications

Waters M (2023) The Essential Guide to the Dubai Real Estate Market, Routledge (London) - Book

Waters M (2018) A critical examination of property valuation variance in Dubai, PhD Thesis, Heriot Watt University.