Professor Kenyon was first appointed to Massey University in 1997, as a Research and Teaching technician, after completing his Masters. He was then promoted to lecturer while undertook his PhD. He was Promoted to Professor of Sheep Husbandry in 2011.

Paul has a national and international reputation as an authority on pastoral-based sheep production systems. His research has had significant industry impact not only in New Zealand but also internationally. He has led, or played a leading role, in a number of significant sheep research programmes both in New Zealand and internationally. These include maximizing hogget breeding, optimal management of multiple bearing ewes in pregnancy and lactation, ewe body condition score use, maximising lamb growth, use of alternative herbages, fetal programming and bioeconomic modelling. His research has led to positive change in the way we manage sheep in New Zealand.

Paul has produced 529 scientific outputs including 298 refereed journal articles, 250 scientific conference articles and five book chapters. Paul has been very active in transferring the findings of his research to end users both in New Zealand and internationally. He is regularly contacted about his work by international farmers. Paul has been a member of several successfully funded international research projects including Australia, Brazil, China, Japan, Myanmar, United Kingdom and in Uruguay.

Paul has actively involved post graduate students. He has supervised 16 Honours, 13 Masters and 27 PhD students. He has also co-supervised students in Australia, Brazil and Uruguay.

Paul co-led the International Sheep Research Centre at Massey University from 2008. Paul became the head of IVABS in 2015. In late 2018, he became the head of the School of Agriculture and Environment (SAE) in 2020. In 2022 he was awarded the Massey University Research medal.

During his research career Paul has been a member of The New Zealand Society of Animal Production (NZSAP) management committee, the president, publications officer and has helped with conference organisation on several occasions. He is a previous winner of the NZSAP Arthur Ward Award.

Paul is a strong believer of research led tertiary education both through interactions with undergrad and postgraduate students. He is a firm believer that students need to learn not only the underlying science but, also its relevance to agriculture and how this knowledge can be utilised to achieve desired outcomes. He has taught students enrolled in the Batchelor of Science, Agricultural Science, Agribusiness, Veterinary Science and Animal science.

Paul has shown a sustained level of research excellence over a prolonged period. Paul has undertaken research which has directly addressed important industry questions and has been active in the transfer of knowledge to industry. Therefore, Paul is a worthy nominee of the McMeekan Memorial Award.