Associate Professor Farshid Pahlevani

Farshid is a process metallurgist and materials scientist advancing circular materials, sustainable manufacturing and waste-to-resource innovation. His research transforms complex waste streams into high-value materials, metallurgical feedstocks, surface treatments and industrial processes that improve performance while reducing environmental impact. He has developed patented and industry-implemented technologies with partners across the metals, mining, manufacturing and recycling sectors. As Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning in the UNSW Faculty of Science, he also leads new approaches to microcredentials, professional learning, industry education and STEM teacher capability.

Farshid Pahlevani is a materials scientist and process metallurgist whose work advances circular materials, sustainable manufacturing and industrial decarbonisation. His research focuses on transforming complex waste streams into high-value materials, metallurgical feedstocks, surface treatments and manufacturing processes that reduce environmental impact while improving industrial performance.

Farshid’s expertise sits at the interface of process metallurgy, high-temperature materials processing, steel and alloy manufacturing, heat treatment, casting and solidification, metal–ceramic interactions, and waste-to-resource transformation. His research is strongly industry-facing and has delivered patented and implemented technologies across the metals, mining, manufacturing and recycling sectors. His work with industrial partners has contributed to improved wear performance, longer component life, lower energy demand and significant cost savings, demonstrating how rigorous materials science can be translated into practical circular-economy solutions.

Since joining UNSW Sydney in 2015, Farshid has built a distinctive research platform in circular process metallurgy and sustainable manufacturing. His portfolio includes more than 120 UNSW-recorded research outputs, multiple international patents, millions in research funding, and technologies that have been licensed, commercially trialled or implemented with partners including Molycop, Bradken, Bisalloy, Schlumberger, Nippon Steel and Aavid Thermalloy. His achievements have been recognised through national and international awards and nominations, including being named one of Australia’s Most Innovative Engineers in 2020.

Farshid is also Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning in the UNSW Faculty of Science, where he is leading new approaches to professional learning, microcredentials, industry education and public-facing science education. In this role, he is helping build scalable lifelong learning pathways that connect UNSW Science expertise with the needs of professionals, teachers, industry, government and the wider community. He is also leading the development of a UNSW Science Teacher Professional Learning initiative in collaboration with the NSW Department of Education to strengthen STEM teacher capability and support curriculum implementation across NSW.

In addition to his research and leadership roles, Farshid is committed to high-quality teaching, supervision and mentoring. He teaches process metallurgy and materials engineering with consistently excellent student feedback and supervises honours, Masters and PhD students working on industry-relevant and sustainability-focused research. His teaching philosophy is grounded in connecting fundamental science with real-world manufacturing, sustainability and industrial challenges.

Farshid’s broader engagement includes his role as Knowledge Broker and Industry and Impact Manager for the UNSW-hosted Sustainable Communities and Waste Hub, where he works with researchers, government, industry and community stakeholders to co-design research with practical environmental and social impact. Through his research, education and engagement, Farshid aims to position UNSW as a leader in circular materials innovation, sustainable manufacturing and the translation of science into public and industrial benefit.