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: A Workbook Approach to Learning GIS, Second Edition, published by John Wiley and Sons, 624 pages (ISBN: 978-0-470-39817-3), May 2009.

He also wrote the highly successful textbook The Global Positioning System and ArcGIS, now in its third edition (ISBN: 9781420087994).

He is co-author of reports introducing spatial information systems and on avoiding pitfalls in their development. He is also co-author of several computer science texts including Ten Statement FORTRAN and Structured PL/Zero, and has professional interests and experience in architecture and urban planning. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and the Association of American Geographers (AAG).

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.