Professor Sean Tyrrel

Professor Sean Tyrrel graduated from the University of Leeds with a BSc (Hons) in Microbiology in 1986. He was awarded an MPhil from Cranfield University for his work on groundwater microbiology and a PhD, also from Cranfield, for his research into low energy wastewater treatment.

Sean began his career at Anglian Water working in analytical microbiology before joining Cranfield in 1988, initially as a Research Officer and then as a member of academic staff. He was promoted to the position of Professor in 2015. He has played an active role in the development of educational provision and the maintenance of academic standards at Cranfield University in a number of senior roles, including as Dean of the Faculty of Environment, Science and Manufacturing, Director of Education in the School of Water, Energy and Environment, and now as Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Education. 

In addition to his University Executive role, Sean remains active in research and teaching. His research is situated at the interface between water and waste management practice, environmental microbiology, and human health. He has over 30 years of research experience in this field and has secured and managed research contracts funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, NERC, EPSRC, Defra, DFID and many water and waste management companies. Sean is recognised internationally for this work through his appointment as UK Principal Expert to the CEN committee CEN/TC264/WG28 on bioaerosol measurement in ambient air. Sean is a Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv), a Chartered Water and Environmental Manager (C.WEM), a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (FCIWEM), and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

View Sean's academic profile and publications.