Welcome from the Head

Meeting the world's growing demand for food, energy, water, healthcare and materials while reducing our environmental footprint is one of the defining challenges of our time. Chemical and Biological Engineering is central to meeting that challenge. Our discipline creates new ways to produce the products society needs, while rethinking how resources are used, recovering value from materials that have traditionally been discarded, developing processes based on renewable feedstocks, and designing the technologies and systems that enable a more circular economy.

What distinguishes us is our ability to combine the fundamental sciences with engineering and systems thinking to create practical solutions at scale. Our research transforms discoveries into technologies that address global challenges, from capturing and converting carbon dioxide to developing more sustainable manufacturing processes and advanced membrane technologies. Working with partners ranging from innovative start-ups to some of the world's largest companies, we translate innovation into economic, environmental and societal impact.

We develop graduates with the knowledge, creativity and engineering judgement to tackle problems that do not yet have solutions. Our students build a deep understanding of the scientific and engineering fundamentals that underpin the profession, while gaining practical experience through our laboratories, student-led pilot plant and industry-focused design projects. This grounding enables them to use powerful emerging technologies—including advanced process simulation, artificial intelligence and data-driven engineering—critically, effectively and responsibly. We prepare our graduates not simply to use today's technologies, but to lead the development of tomorrow's.

Whether you are considering studying, researching or partnering with us, we invite you to join us in solving some of society's most important challenges.

Best Regards,

Professor Warren Batchelor
Interim Head of Department