Professor Hughes is Associate Dean for Research & Innovation at Teesside University. He leads the cross-institutional NetZero research theme and Circular Economy and Recycling Innovation Centre (CERIC).

Professor Hughes is an expert in the circular economy with a strong focus on industrial digitalisation. He leverages his experience working across the circular economy to develop and implement AI and ML-based solutions for heavy industry and trade applications. David leverages his expertise in low-carbon and sustainable material science and associated enabling circular business models to develop innovative solutions for a greener future. This includes work in sustainable trade models enabled through digital technologies. Professor Hughes has also developed a number of industrial technologies working closely with partners to valorise by-products and waste streams and facilitate true low carbon (SDG13) and circular production routes (SDG12).

David is the Chair of the national IOM3 Polymer Group and sits on a number of government steering groups related to plastic and cement circularity.

• Circular Economy - business models and technologies
• Sustainable polymers and Non-mechanical recycling
• Industrial Digitalisation - IOT, AI and ML-based solutions for heavy industry and trade applications
• In-organic polymers, Cements, AACMs and Geopolymers
• High Temperature (>700C) Functional Materials 
• Innovation and technology development

I have a number of projects related to circular economy and materials development, particulalrly focusing on Geopolymers and polymer processing.

David is involved in a number of enterprise activities focused around materials technology. his includes KTP projects, consultancy and other funded streams of work.

The focus of his industrial work is around the development and processing of material solutions, this includes polymers and polymer processing, composite material development and materials testing and characterisation. He has specific interests around waste management and reduction in processing.