Ryan Kift

Dr. Ryan Kift is a leading academic in occupational hygiene and safety at Central Queensland University, serving as Head of the College of Science and Sustainability. With a PhD and dual bachelor’s degrees from the University of Western Sydney, he bridges academia and industry through 20+ years of experience in safety-critical environments.

• Education: PhD (Occupational Hygiene), BAppSci (Environmental Health), BAppSci (Occupational Health & Environment) from University of Western Sydney.
• Affiliations: Central Queensland University (current), University of Western Sydney (former).

Kift’s research spans occupational hygiene management, human factors in railway safety, composting technology, cognitive ergonomics, and dust/bioaerosol monitoring. His work integrates engineering principles with public health to mitigate workplace risks in industries like mining, oil and gas, and transportation.

Recent publications focus on household waste practices (e.g., dog fecal composting, compostable plastics) and technical safety systems (railway control rooms, welding fumes). Key subfields include error-proofing design processes, functional resilience in transport, and sustainable waste management.

As a Unit Coordinator at CQU, Kift teaches advanced occupational health courses (e.g., OCHS13016, SAFE20011) and supervises research in engineering-related safety fields. His leadership roles and interdisciplinary approach underscore his commitment to advancing occupational health education and practice.