Hugh Forehead

Hugh Forehead is an Honorary Senior Fellow at the University of Wollongong's School of Science. His research focuses on low-cost environmental monitoring technologies, particularly in water quality, air pollution, and biodiversity. He specializes in real-time sensing solutions for aquaculture and urban environments, including initiatives like the SMART Fire Hydrants map, which won the 2017 IoT Service Innovation Award. His work integrates agent-based modeling, spatial data analysis, and web mapping across disciplines such as marine ecology and public health.

• PhD: University of Western Australia/CSIRO
• BSc (Hons): University of Tasmania

Research interests include pollution reduction using plastic waste, community engagement in environmental stewardship, and the ecological benefits of aquaculture. He has led projects on green infrastructure for urban cooling and air quality improvement, funded by organizations like the Future Drought Fund and South32.

Notable achievements include developing the iOyster sensor system for aquaculture and investigating native vegetation's role in mitigating urban heat and air pollution in Wollongong and Liverpool. He has supervised two PhD students to completion and currently oversees research on microplastics biodegradation.

• Awards: 2017 Service Innovation Award (IoT category)

Grants include the 'iOyster: Drought Resilient Oyster Farming' project and studies on PFAS contamination post-bushfires. He contributes to interdisciplinary collaborations, bridging engineering, environmental science, and public health initiatives.