Duncan Forbes

Professor Duncan Forbes is an astronomer at Swinburne University of Technology's Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, affiliated with the School of Science, Computing and Emerging Technologies. His research focuses on galaxy formation, dark matter distribution, and globular cluster systems. He has held roles such as Deputy Director of his Centre (2005–2008) and ARC DORA Fellow (2013–2015). His work includes studies using the Faulkes Telescope and collaborations on international projects like the LEWIS survey.

Research interests span ultra-diffuse galaxies, dark matter-free dwarf galaxies, and the interplay between galaxy morphology and environmental effects. Recent grants include investigations into dark galaxies (ARC 2025–2027), AI-driven galaxy physics (ARC 2020–2024), and all-sky astrophysics in 3D (ARC Centre of Excellence).

He has received the VC's Research Excellence Award (2004) and supervised 23 PhD/Master's projects on topics like UDG origins and stellar kinematics. Current research emphasizes combining observational data from instruments like MUSE with supercomputer simulations to model galaxy evolution.