Chris Auld graduated from the University of Queensland in 1978 specialising in the field of Human Movement Studies (Education). He also studied at the University of Canberra in 1982 (Recreation Planning); University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1984 (Recreation Administration and Pennsylvania Sate University in 1994 (Leisure Studies). He has held a number of lecturing positions since 1987 and has also worked at the University of Hong Kong. 

His research interests include:  Volunteer management; Board performance and governance in the non-profit sector; Sport and leisure planning and management; The impacts of major events; and The social behaviour of individuals in a leisure context .