Geoff Stevens

Professor Geoff Stevens is an Emeritus Laureate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology at the University of Melbourne. He has held various senior positions at the university since 2000, including Head of Department in Chemical Engineering and Pro Vice-Chancellor. From January 1998 to December 2020, he served as an academic in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Stevens was Secretary General of the International Solvent Extraction Committee from 1996 to 2016 and served for 10 years on the editorial board of Chemical Engineering Research and Design, representing separation processes. He has been recognized in Engineers Australia’s list of the 100 Most Influential Engineers for three consecutive years. In 2014, he received the Patricia Grimshaw Award for Mentor Excellence from the University of Melbourne. Additionally, he was awarded the Carl Hanson Medal for distinguished lifetime achievement in solvent extraction and an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia in 2020 for distinguished service to education, chemical engineering, environmental remediation, and mentoring. Stevens holds fellowships including FTSE, FIChemE, and CEng.

His research specializes in separation processes, particularly in the hydrometallurgical field, including solvent extraction, interfacial phenomena, emulsion stability, membrane-based processes for CO2 capture such as direct air capture and carbon capture, cannabinoid extraction, controlled release fertilizers, and metal extraction for elements like Cd(II), Zn(II), Re, and rare earths. He is renowned for advancements in membrane technology, membrane separation, ultrafiltration, and membrane filtration. Stevens has authored or co-authored 581 publications, accumulating over 20,000 citations. Key publications include 'Innovations in separations technology for the recycling and re-use of liquid waste streams' (Kentish and Stevens, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2002), works on sputtered polypropylene membranes for CO2 separation (2011), carbonic anhydrase promoted absorption of CO2 (2014), and recent contributions such as 'Catalytic hybrid solvent regeneration in membrane vacuum processes for direct air capture' (2026) and 'Recovery of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa flowers using modifier/water leaching method' (2025). His work has significantly influenced chemical engineering, particularly in sustainable separation technologies and environmental applications.

Professional Email: gstevens@unimelb.edu.au