Sean Tyrrel

Professor Sean Tyrrel (FCIWEM, CEnv, SFHEA) is a leading academic at Cranfield University with over 30 years of research experience in environmental microbiology, wastewater treatment, and sanitation engineering. As Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education, he bridges technical innovation with policy relevance across water, waste, and public health domains.

• Education: BSc in Microbiology (Leeds), MPhil on iron biofouling (Cranfield), PhD in land-based wastewater treatment (Cranfield)
• Professional Recognition: Fellow of Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy, Chartered Environmentalist

His research focuses on environmental microbiology applications to waste management, bioaerosol exposure, and waterborne pathogen dynamics. He leads Cranfield's work on bioaerosol emissions from composting facilities and their health impacts.

Recent publications (2025–2024) emphasize spatial sanitation planning (SanIFFlow tool), pathogen stabilization in faecal-derived fertilizers, and membrane technology for decentralized water reuse. Collaborations span EPSRC Water-WISER CDT, NERC-funded projects, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation initiatives.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Fellow of Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (FCIWEM)
  • Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv)
  • Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)

He supervises multidisciplinary projects involving PhD students from Cranfield's Water-WISER CDT and WIRe CDT, with fieldwork in Bangladesh, Malawi, and Ethiopia. His work integrates environmental microbiology with engineering solutions for climate-resilient sanitation infrastructure.