As one whose principal expertise lies in the application of computers to interesting problems, Michael Kennedy is deeply involved in the growing area of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Since the early 1970s he has conducted work on "making a computer believe it's a map."

Professor Kennedy is the author of the comprehensive textbook Introducing Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS, published by John Wiley and Sons, 624 pages, 2006 (ISBN 0-471-79229-2).

He also wrote the highly successful textbook The Global Positioning System and GIS, now in its second edition (ISBN 0-415-28608-5).

Professor Kennedy's current projects include development of the Dot Probability Paradigm -- new approach for computer storage of geographic information that allows the user quality control with respect to fundamental and derived spatial data.

As part of his University service function he served three years as one of two faculty members elected to the UK Board of Trustees.