Rate My Professor Christopher Hurren

Associate Professor Christopher Hurren serves in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Built Environment at Deakin University, where he holds the position of Associate Professor in Fibre Science and Technology at the Institute for Frontier Materials. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Textile Materials and a Bachelor of Engineering from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. With over 20 years at Deakin University, including as Research Fellow at the Institute for Frontier Materials since 2011, Hurren has established himself as a leading researcher in textile science. His career highlights include advancing sustainable textile technologies and protective clothing innovations.

Hurren's research specializes in developing textiles through a circular economy approach, encompassing textile recycling, dyeing and colouration, melt extrusion, hemp fiber extraction, and motorcycle protective clothing. Notable projects include collaborations with Samsara Eco and REACH on world-first enzyme-powered textile recycling, transforming low-grade merino wool with Country Road into high-grade yarn, and leading efforts on muddy wool processing to enhance fashion sustainability. He has contributed significantly to motorcycle safety through involvement in the MotoCAP rating system, a global first for evaluating protective gear abrasion resistance and thermal comfort. Key publications include 'Efficient extraction of technical fibers from hemp in an ethanol-water mixture' (2022, Industrial Crops and Products), 'Understanding the difference in softness of Australian Soft Rolling Skin wool and conventional Merino wool' (2022, Textile Research Journal), 'A study on wicking in natural staple yarns' (2017, Textile Research Journal), 'Performance comparison of abrasion resistant textile motorcycle clothing' (2014), and 'Thermal comfort levels and abrasion resistance of motorcycle protective clothing' (2014). His work earned the H&M Foundation Global Change Award in 2017 for colour recycling innovations. Hurren supervises Masters by Research and PhD students, focusing on high-quality postdoctoral training, and engages in professional activities such as public lectures on fibre innovation and motorcycle safety.